About us
Who we are
University of Oxford Development Office:
The role of the University’s Development Office is to help secure philanthropic support for the University. The Development Office works in partnership with academic and development colleagues throughout the collegiate University to build enduring relationships with external constituencies – including alumni, non-alumni, corporate and foundation donors – and to increase financial support for agreed academic priorities.
The Chief Development Officer and Director of the Development Office, Liesl Elder, reports to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Development and External Affairs. The Development Office is part of the central administrative departments of the University, collectively known as University Administration and Services (UAS) and works closely with the offices responsible for Alumni Relations, International Strategy, Public Affairs and Finance.
The University and the colleges have recently completed the Oxford Thinking Campaign, which raised £3.34bn, and which is the most successful fundraising campaign in higher education in Europe. The University is currently planning its next major campaign, and as a member of the Development Office, the post holder will have a key role to play in helping realise its successful delivery.
In addition to fundraising staff, the Development Office has a number of teams that cover particular support functions. These include the Donor Relations team (which ensures that donors are thanked and the University’s relationships with them appropriately stewarded); the Events team (which arranges high-level and bespoke events for donors and potential donors); the Research Team (which gathers information on potential and existing donors); the Development and Alumni Relations System (DARS) Support Centre (which supports the Development and Alumni Relations database); and the Communications team (which ensures that major and principal donors are made aware of the University’s strategic fundraising priorities through tailored communications, including bespoke proposals and project information). It also works closely with the Gift Registry, part of the Finance Division, which records and processes donations received by the University and on behalf of colleges. There are also three overseas offices covering North America and Asia whose remit includes development; these offices are located in New York, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
The Development Office is committed to equality and values diversity. The Division holds a bronze Athena Swan award to recognise advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success for all.
Benefits:
- An excellent contributory pension scheme
- 38 days annual leave
- A comprehensive range of childcare services
- Family leave schemes
- Cycle loan scheme
- Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
- Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
Development Office values
The following points lay down the foundations of the working ethos, culture and values of the Development Office. Aspirational and celebratory in turn, they provide a central framework for individual members of staff and teams, encouraging personal and professional growth.
- We value each other – We respect the professional expertise of our colleagues. An approachable, friendly and kind office, we work in an environment where transparency of action and clarity of intent create openness and trust.
- We work collaboratively – Whether within our own teams, across UODO, the collegiate University, or beyond, working collaboratively is second nature to us, and enables us to navigate complicated landscapes successfully.
- We go beyond – We prize working with a high degree of autonomy and trust, and deliver a wide range of projects to the very highest standards. We are committed to personal, professional development.
- We are part of something bigger – Our work supports the strategic priorities of the University of Oxford. We take pride in the contribution we – individually and collectively – make to the University.
About the University of Oxford
Ranked number one in the world in the 2023 Times Higher Education World Rankings, we are at the forefront of the full range of academic disciplines, including medical sciences; mathematical, physical and life sciences; humanities; and social sciences. As the oldest university in the English-speaking world, we have long traditions of scholarship, but we are also forward-looking, creative and cutting-edge. Oxford is one of Europe's most entrepreneurial universities: we rank first in the UK for university spin-outs, with more than 130 companies created to date. We are also recognised as leaders in support for social enterprise.
Welcome to the University of Oxford. We aim to lead the world in research and education for the benefit of society both in the UK and globally. Oxford’s researchers engage with academic, commercial and cultural partners across the world to stimulate high-quality research and enable innovation through a broad range of social, policy and economic impacts.
We believe our strengths lie both in empowering individuals and teams to address fundamental questions of global significance, while providing all our staff with a welcoming and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to develop and do their best work. Recognising that diversity is our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, we aspire to build a truly diverse community which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution.
While we have long traditions of scholarship, we are also forward-looking, creative and cutting-edge. Oxford is one of Europe's most entrepreneurial universities and we rank first in the UK for university spin-outs, and in recent years we have spun out 15-20 new companies every year. We are also recognised as leaders in support for social enterprise.
Join us and you will find a unique, democratic and international community, a great range of staff benefits and access to a vibrant array of cultural activities in the beautiful city of Oxford.
We encourage applicants from all sectors of the community and are keen to encourage candidates from under-represented groups to apply. The University has a number of staff networks including the Oxford Research Staff Society, BME staff network, LGBT+ staff network and a disabled staff network.