Senior alumni relations manager jobs

Help shape the future of a globally recognised university as Durham builds towards its bicentenary and an ambitious fundraising campaign.

Location: Durham / Hybrid - At least two days on campus

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 24th August 2026

Who we are
Durham University is one of the world's leading universities, combining academic excellence, a distinctive collegiate community and a global network of more than 200,000 alumni and supporters.

As we approach our bicentenary in 2032, philanthropy will help us widen opportunity, support world-leading research, enrich student experience and invest in projects that benefit future generations through an ambitious fundraising campaign. The campaign will build on almost 200 years of achievement and create new opportunities for students, researchers and communities.

The Development and Alumni Relations Office sits at the centre of this work, building lifelong relationships with supporters and securing philanthropic investment.

About the roles

We are recruiting three Senior Development Managers to join our Major Gifts Team. There is one permanent opportunity and two 14-month maternity cover roles. Each postholder will manage a portfolio of alumni and supporters with the potential to make gifts of between £100k and £1m. You will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors, working closely with senior leaders, academics and colleagues across the University to develop compelling opportunities for support.

Although the roles share the same core purpose, each has a distinct focus.

• Senior Development Manager

This permanent position is a broad major gifts role working across Durham’s campaign priorities, who will also take a lead on legacies and planned giving, helping to develop this work across the wider team and dealing sensitively with wills, estates and executors where the University is named as a beneficiary.

• Senior Development Manager (Sciences)

This mat cover role will focus on the Faculty of Science, particularly Computer Science, Physics and Mathematical Sciences. It will also include student and graduate enterprise and enrichment activity connected to the Venture Lab.

• Senior Development Manager (Arts and Humanities)

This mat cover role has a varied portfolio that includes the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Libraries and Special Collections, alongside student enrichment opportunities across sport, theatre and music.

What we are looking for

We are seeking confident, relationship-led fundraisers who can manage a portfolio, build trust with senior stakeholders and move significant opportunities forward. You will bring experience of fundraising, stewardship, business development or another relevant client-facing environment, together with evidence of securing significant support or developing high-value relationships.

Higher education experience would be helpful, but it is not essential. We welcome candidates from charities and other values-led organisations who can demonstrate strong judgement, curiosity, initiative and the ability to communicate a compelling story.

Candidates may apply for one, two or all three roles. Please indicate your preferences in your application.

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you will find full details of the roles and how to apply.

Applications for these roles close at 9 a.m. Monday 24th August 2026.

Following a restructure of the school’s development department, St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh, is looking to appoint a self-motivated and dynamic fundraiser to help secure and sustain significant grants from trusts and foundations.

The postholder will develop high quality applications, bids and reports for a diverse range of audiences.
The School is keen to appoint someone with excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as exceptional relationship-management skills, who will work to develop and deliver a strategy to grow sustainable income from grants and foundations over time.

The successful candidate will work closely with the School Bursar, Individual Giving Manager, Marketing & Communications Manager and Database Assistant, as part of the School's development team.

This is a part-time post of 21 hours/3 days per week, working over the whole year.

Role Purpose:

To develop and manage a programme of trust, foundation and statutory fundraising that delivers sustainable income for St Mary's Music School.  The Trusts and Foundations Manager will identify funding opportunities, prepare compelling applications and reports, and build strong relationships with funders to support the School's strategic priorities.

Specific duties will include:

Fundraising

• Contributing to the overall Fundraising Strategy;
• Developing and implementing plans to meet income targets;
• Working with the development team on fundraising messaging, including a consistent and compelling narrative;
• Establishing strong relationships with staff, the public, stakeholders, supporters, funders and the media.

Research, Bids and Grant Applications

• Managing and researching a pipeline of prospective trust, foundation and statutory funders;
• Developing relationships with existing and prospective funders, attending fundraising events as required;
• Preparation of cases for support including the development of restricted funding proposals for projects and bursaries;
• Creation of high quality grant and tender applications for funding and submission of funding reports.

Reporting, Fundraising Database & Compliance

• Ensuring that all activity undertaken is accurately recorded and submitted reports as required;
• Ensuring the maintenance of up to date, accurate records of trust and foundation contacts;
• Building relationships with representatives from trusts and foundations;
• Capturing and recording information on individuals’ relationships with relevant organisations.

Future First is looking for an engaging and organised Senior School Membership Coordinator to build strong relationships with our member schools and help ensure more young people benefit from the power of alumni networks.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a mission-driven charity working to ensure every state school and college is supported by a thriving alumni community. You'll manage a portfolio of schools, deliver engaging workshops to young people, support employer partnerships and help grow our membership so we can reach even more students.

We're looking for someone with excellent relationship-building and communication skills, who is confident delivering in school settings, highly organised and motivated by making a difference. Experience using a CRM (ideally Salesforce) is desirable, and you'll be comfortable balancing a varied workload in a fast-paced, collaborative team.

Although the role is remote first, due to travel requirements to our member schools, we are looking for someone ideally located in London, Birmingham or Manchester. 

You must also have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle that you can use for work travel. Unfortunately, if you don't have both of these you will not be suitable for this opportunity.

To find out more and for full instructions on how to apply, please download the job pack.

Help shape the future of a globally recognised university as Durham builds towards its bicentenary and an ambitious fundraising campaign.

Location: Durham / Hybrid - At least two days on campus

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 24th August 2026.

Who we are
Durham University is one of the world's leading universities, combining academic excellence, a distinctive collegiate community and a global network of more than 200,000 alumni and supporters.

As we approach our bicentenary in 2032, philanthropy will help us widen opportunity, support world-leading research, enrich student experience and invest in projects that benefit future generations through an ambitious fundraising campaign. The campaign will build on almost 200 years of achievement and create new opportunities for students, researchers and communities.

The Development and Alumni Relations Office sits at the centre of this work, building lifelong relationships with supporters and securing philanthropic investment.

About the role
This is a pivotal appointment at an important moment in Durham's fundraising journey.

The Head of Principal Giving will focus on developing and securing transformational philanthropic support from some of the University's most significant donors and prospects. Working closely with the Chief Development Officer, senior academic leaders, Campaign Board members and influential volunteers, you will help shape the next phase of principal giving at Durham.

You will manage a carefully selected portfolio of high-potential relationships, leading conversations that result in seven- and eight-figure gifts. Alongside securing major commitments, you will help strengthen Durham's principal giving capability, build a sustainable pipeline of future support and contribute to the success of the bicentenary campaign.

The role also offers the opportunity to engage with philanthropists and global networks across key international markets, including North America and Asia, helping to unlock new opportunities for investment in Durham's future.

What we are looking for
We are interested in experienced fundraising professionals who have secured significant philanthropic support and enjoy building long-term relationships with donors, colleagues and partners. You may already lead a major or principal giving programme within a university, or bring experience from another setting where you have worked with major philanthropists, family foundations, trusts, corporates or high-profile supporters.

You will be comfortable operating at a senior level, building credibility with influential stakeholders and translating complex ideas into compelling opportunities for support. You will be collaborative, thoughtful and motivated by the impact philanthropy can have on people's lives. You will enjoy working across a large organisation and bringing people together around shared ambitions.

If you are excited by helping to shape Durham's future through transformational giving, we would love to hear from you.

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you will find full details of the role and how to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 24th August 2026

Associate Vice-Principal (Development)
Queen’s University
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
CAN$200,000 to CAN$250,000

Are you Queen’s University’s next Associate Vice-Principal (Development)? This is an opportunity at one of Canada's most prestigious universities at a time of real ambition and momentum.

This role is central to Queen's University's ability to grow its philanthropic income across major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundations, and leadership giving.

Queen’s University is one of Canada’s oldest and most distinctive institutions – a university known not just for academic excellence, but for the depth of connection its community feels. Our alumni are among the most loyal, most engaged, and most passionate in the country, and it is that extraordinary foundation on which our philanthropic ambitions are built.

You will lead a talented team of fundraisers, directing our major and leadership giving, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, and prospect development programs as well as managing a key portfolio of high-value prospects. Key to success will shaping and implementing plans that advance fundraising performance.

Reporting to the Vice Principal (Advancement) and a member of her Leadership Team, you will work at the most senior levels of the institution, acting as a key source of strategic guidance and support for university leaders, academics, and fundraising colleagues across the University.

This is a chance to build transformational programmes and partnerships that will deliver to the mission and strategic priorities of this ambitious university.

If you have a proven track record in leading multifaceted fundraising teams and managing complex relationships within a large organisation along with substantive philanthropic fundraising experience, we’d love to hear from you!

Queen’s University is partnering with Erin Hall-Westfall and Joanna Logan of Constellate Global Talent on this search. Please see the attached Candidate Pack for more information.

Closing date: 11:59pm EST on August 9, 2026
N.B. The posting will remain open, and applications received after this date may be considered until the position is filled.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We seek to provide an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process and provide accommodations as needed for applicants with disabilities.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our CareerQ employment portal to complete your application for this position.

No agencies please.

Purpose of the Role

The Youth Insights Programme Lead is responsible for leading the effective design, planning and delivery of assigned Youth Insights panels and projects. The role bridges strategic leadership and operational delivery, ensuring that panels are well designed, well facilitated, well coordinated and deliver high-quality insight for partners.

The Programme Lead manages day-to-day partner relationships, leads delivery planning, supports facilitators, oversees programme outputs and ensures young people have a positive, inclusive and meaningful experience.

The role contributes to insight generation and reporting, working within the frameworks and quality standards set by the Programme Manager.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme Design and Delivery

• Lead the design and delivery of assigned Youth Insights panels, within the methodology and standards set by the Programme Manager.
• Translate partner objectives into clear delivery plans, session structures and participant journeys.
• Develop and adapt session plans, materials and activities for assigned panels.
• Ensure sessions are engaging, inclusive, purposeful and appropriate for young people.
• Lead or support facilitation of Youth Insights sessions as required.
• Ensure delivery remains aligned with agreed outcomes, quality standards and partner expectations.
• Identify practical improvements to delivery and share learning with the Programme Manager.

2. Operational Partner Management

• Act as the primary day-to-day relationship manager for assigned partners.
• Lead operational planning meetings, delivery updates and routine partner communications.
• Manage partner expectations around timelines, outputs, session planning and reporting.
• Maintain strong working relationships with operational partner contacts.
• Identify risks, issues or opportunities in partner relationships and escalate appropriately to the Programme Manager.
• Support strategic partner conversations by providing delivery insight, evidence and learning.
• Where a partner contact holds both strategic and operational responsibilities, act as the primary day-to-day contact while ensuring the Programme Manager retains senior oversight.

3. Insight Generation and Reporting

• Analyse youth feedback and identify key themes, patterns and insights from assigned panels.
• Draft reports, summaries, presentations and recommendations for partners.
• Ensure reports go beyond description and begin to translate youth feedback into meaningful insight.
• Work within the reporting frameworks, standards and templates agreed by the Programme Manager.
• Incorporate quality feedback from the Programme Manager and strengthen outputs accordingly.
• Support the development of case studies, impact stories and evidence of partner value.
• Contribute learning from assigned panels into wider Youth Insights service development.

4. Delivery Quality and Facilitation

• Ensure all assigned programmes are delivered to a high standard.
• Brief, support and coordinate freelance facilitators for assigned sessions.
• Ensure facilitators understand the purpose, method, safeguarding requirements and desired outcomes of each session.
• Monitor delivery quality and participant experience.
• Provide feedback to facilitators and escalate quality concerns where needed.
• Ensure session materials, resources and activities are prepared and appropriate.
• Support consistency of delivery across panels, while adapting appropriately to different partner contexts.

5. Youth Engagement and Inclusion

• Ensure young people are meaningfully involved, listened to and supported throughout their participation.
• Work with the Programme Coordinator to support recruitment, onboarding, retention and engagement.
• Monitor participant experience and respond to issues or barriers to participation.
• Identify gaps in representation within assigned panels and work with the Programme Coordinator and Programme Manager to address them.
• Ensure delivery is inclusive, accessible and responsive to young people’s needs.
• Support young people to build confidence, skills and understanding through their involvement.

6. Programme Coordination and Project Management

• Develop and maintain delivery plans for assigned Youth Insights panels.
• Coordinate timelines, milestones, partner inputs, facilitator availability and reporting deadlines.
• Work closely with the Programme Coordinator to ensure logistics, communications and records are well managed.
• Ensure risks, actions and dependencies are tracked and communicated.
• Support effective use of HubSpot and other systems to manage participant journeys and partner activity.
• Ensure programme information is accurate, up to date and accessible to the team.

7. Team Support and Development

• Support and mentor the Programme Coordinator in relation to assigned programmes.
• Delegate appropriate tasks clearly and support effective workload management.
• Share learning, tools and good practice across the Youth Insights team.
• Contribute to training, reflection sessions and process improvement.
• Support a positive, collaborative and values-led team culture.
• Help build team confidence in delivery, facilitation, insight generation and partner communication.

8. Safeguarding, Compliance and Risk

• Ensure safeguarding, consent, data protection and risk processes are followed across assigned programmes.
• Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns or risks in line with S4TP policies.
• Ensure facilitators and delivery contributors understand relevant safeguarding and compliance requirements.
• Support accurate record keeping and documentation.
• Contribute to risk assessment and mitigation for sessions, panels and partner activity.

Key Relationships

Internal:

• Youth Insights Programme Manager
• Youth Insights Programme Coordinator
• CEO where required
• Wider S4TP team
• Freelance facilitators

External:

• Operational partner contacts
• Strategic partner contacts where appropriate
• Young people and alumni
• Schools, colleges and youth networks
• Delivery partners and stakeholders

Success Measures

Success in this role will include:

• Assigned panels are delivered effectively, safely and to a high standard.
• Partners receive timely, useful and high-quality reports and outputs.
• Young people have a positive, inclusive and meaningful experience.
• Operational partner relationships are well managed.
• Programme delivery runs smoothly, with clear plans, timelines and communication.
• Insight reports demonstrate analysis, themes and recommendations, not just summaries.
• Facilitators are well briefed, supported and consistent in delivery.
• Learning from delivery contributes to wider Youth Insights improvement.

Are you interested in a role within a high performing team of fundraisers at a university which is not only world leading, but also world changing? Do you have a passion for direct marketing and an interest in fundraising for the higher education sector? Then this could be the role for you.

The new Regular Giving Officer will use their skills and knowledge to manage a busy calendar of appeals, across a wide range of channels including direct mail and social media. They will ensure that all campaigns are delivered to the highest possible standard, follow best practice and that all our supporters have the best possible experience.

They will also use their experience of stakeholder management to build strong relationships with our colleagues in Alumni Relations and our external suppliers, to ensure that we take an innovative approach and continue to find new ways to promote our fundraising offering.

By joining Imperial, you’ll be joining a university which develops the people and skills the world needs now and into the future.

Job title:Regular Giving Officer

Salary:£46,614 - £56,345

Location:White City Campus (Hybrid),

About the role:

We have an exciting opportunity to join a successful team as Regular Giving Officer (Acquisition and Retention) on a full-time, open-ended basis to oversee and manage the regular giving programme.

Imperial’s regular giving programme looks after donors who give up to £50,000 a year.

The role will work with a range of stakeholders within and outside of Advancement and external suppliers such as creative agencies, copywriters and mailing houses.

What you would be doing:

The Regular Giving and Legacy Giving team at Imperial is a high-performing team, with a well-established, successful programme. Key responsibilities include managing the planning, implementation and delivery of direct marketing fundraising campaigns across a range of media including direct mail, email, online and social media. You will work closely with the other Officers in the team to manage activity across legacies, mid-value and regular giving.

What we are looking for:
This is an ideal role for someone who wants to learn more about fundraising in higher education. We welcome applications from all candidates including those with a background in charity sector fundraising.

· Experience of working in a fundraising direct marketing role at a charity or in higher education

· Experience of building relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including colleagues up to a senior level, alumni and donors

· Experience of working with CRM systems

· Excellent oral and written communication skills

· Advanced Microsoft Office skills

· Evidence of strong interpersonal and influencing skill

· Ability to think strategically, with strong project management skills and a methodical and organised approach

· Ability to work autonomously, prioritising workload and keeping to deadlines

· A flexible approach to working

What we can offer you:

• Access to an extensive peer network within Higher Education
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.

· Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).

· Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.

· Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.

· Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.

This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial.

Our culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination and creating an inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our web pages.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity and innovation.

Closing date: 16 August 2026