Senior alumni relations manager jobs
Join us in the ambitious ‘Birmingham In Action’ campaign, which commits to raising over £600 million of charitable funding and 1 million volunteer hours, positioning the University of Birmingham as one of the leaders in philanthropy in the UK. To fulfil our exciting campaign ambitions, we are recruiting a Head of Philanthropy – Global, to maximise philanthropic funding and to take our campaign to the next level.
A key member of the Development and Alumni Relations Office’s (DARO) Philanthropy team, you will be responsible for growing major gifts opportunities and building a sustainable pipeline of future donations from global philanthropic markets. You will have experience of delivering against financial targets, along with the ability to translate complex information into a compelling ask in both verbal and written form. As the Head of Philanthropy - Global, you will be responsible for growing our international major gifts programme. In collaboration with the Associate Director of Philanthropy you will develop and implement fundraising strategies to increase major giving in Asia and North America as well as emerging areas of focus. You will manage a personal portfolio of six figure + (GBP) potential supporters and personally raise gifts in excess of £1m p/a. You will manage the international philanthropy team of two individuals and support them to deliver their annual fundraising and supporting targets.
As a senior fundraiser in DARO, you will be innovative, self-motivated, and take ownership of fundraising opportunities. As part of a dynamic team and led by some of the most respected names in higher education fundraising, you will work across the University to generate significant gifts for amazing philanthropic projects and encourage new donors to make long-term, sustainable gifts. You will have an enthusiasm for building relationships, the skill to interact with high-level donors and supporters, and the ability to showcase the game changing work of our academics and clinicians.
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are and how we work.
Registered Charity
More than 1000
World-class research and outstanding global education
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
ONCE REDIRECTED TO OUR WEBSITE YOU WILL FIND THE FOLLOW DOCUMENTS: JOB DESCRPTION, APPLICATION FORM AND RECRUITMENT MONITERING FORM.
King Edward VI Foundation, Birmingham, is a progressive charitable organisation which has supported excellence in education across the City since 1552. Our schools are diverse in nature but have a common purpose and commitment to achieving our mission of “making Birmingham the best place to be educated in the UK”.
The Foundation is made up of two legal entities. The King Edward VI Academy Trust Birmingham (“the Academy Trust”) was established in 2017 and currently consists of six selective and six comprehensive academies. The Academy Trust is sponsored by the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham (“the Foundation Charity”), which operates two independent schools and is the steward of a significant charitable endowment.
The Foundation Office provides professional services and leadership, to include Development and Alumni Relations support, to the Academy Trust.
Our recent expansion into a wider diversity of local communities is enabling us to accelerate our strategies for improving the life chances of young people in Birmingham, whatever their background.
We are looking to appoint a Director of Development and Alumni Relations. As a new leadership role developing relations with all King Edward VI Academy Trust Alumni they will also be partnering with the Foundation Charity to generate philanthropic funding across the organisation in line with our six core values.
Please see the applicant’s brochure for full information about the role, the organisation and person specification. Conversations about the role are encouraged for those wishing to apply, please contact the KEVI Foundation HR to discuss further.
As a central support service, our working model must be driven by the needs of our schools. Therefore, please be aware that staff are required to take the majority of annual leave during non-term time.
Thank you!
evelopment Manager - Major Gifts
Location: Kingston upon Thames (Hybrid working - minimum 2-3 days on campus)
Salary: £45,025 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Closing Date: midday Friday 16 January 2026
Interviews in person: TBC 28 or 29 Jan 2026
Help to shape the future of philanthropy and alumni engagement at Kingston University.
Kingston University is an incredible place to work. For over 125 years, we've been shaping student futures through academic excellence and forward-thinking teaching. Our recent TEF Gold rating reflects our commitment to delivering outstanding education and research. Through our ambitious Town House Strategy, we're embedding a progressive new model of education and driving innovation through partnerships with businesses, communities, and organisations.
The Development, Alumni Relations and Engagement (DARE) team plays a vital role in delivering these ambitions. With a global alumni community of over 270,000, we foster meaningful relationships that drive philanthropic support, unlock partnerships, and enhance the University's reputation and reach.
The Role
As Development Manager - Major Gifts, you will be a senior member of the DARE team, responsible for generating philanthropic income to meet ambitious annual targets. Reporting to the Head of Major Gifts, you will:
- Manage a portfolio of high-value donors (individuals, trusts & foundations, corporates), personally soliciting gifts of £10,000+.
- Support the pipeline of mid-level prospects and help develop ultra-high-net-worth individuals for transformative gifts.
- Deliver against KPIs and income targets, contributing to our goal of growing major giving from £450,000 annually to £1 million within three years.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and academic leaders, producing compelling proposals and leading donor engagement.
This is a dynamic, outward-facing role requiring excellent relationship-building skills, strategic thinking, and a passion for the impact of fundraising in higher education.
About You
You will be an experienced and driven fundraiser with:
- A proven track record of securing and stewarding four-figure and above gifts.
- Strong influencing and communication skills, with confidence engaging high-profile individuals.
- Experience managing a varied portfolio and achieving ambitious KPIs.
- A collaborative approach and the ability to work across a complex organisation.
Experience in higher education or the charity sector is desirable, but not essential.
Why Join Us?
- Hybrid working (minimum 2-3 days on campus).
- A supportive, ambitious team committed to innovation and impact.
- The opportunity to make a lasting difference to students and the University community.
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
Apply now and bring your expertise, passion, and authentic self to Kingston University.
Please share a copy of your profile or CV with Philippa at Charity People as the first step.
Benefits include:
* Generous holiday entitlement of 35 days (from entry at all levels), in addition to bank holidays
* Three 'meeting free' weeks each year to create space for reflection and time to plan for the period ahead
* Flexible working - we can consider and accommodate various work patterns
* Family-friendly policies that support the needs of our employees
* Exceptional professional development opportunities
Key Details
- Location: Kingston upon Thames (Hybrid working, 2-3 days/week on campus)
- Closing Date: midday on Friday 16 Jan
- Interview Date: in person provisionally 28 or 29 Jan
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
Thank you!
Department
The Office of Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni (OPPA)
Office of Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni (OPPA) works with a community of global alumni and donors to deepen their ties with York and each other, and encourage them to support the University through York Giving. This role is part of the Individual Philanthropy Team, which manages major individual philanthropy and the legacy giving programme, working closely with the other OPPA teams:
Corporate and Foundation Philanthropy: developing long term, strategic partnerships with philanthropic corporate and foundation supporters.
Fundraising Programmes: managing mass fundraising appeals, crowdfunding campaigns, community fundraising and student projects.
Operations and Experience: providing business intelligence, information and insight, governance and stewardship of supporter and alumni relationships, and managing all mass communications with alumni and supporters.
York for Life: developing alumni communities, volunteering and alumni engagement programmes in support of the University’s strategic aims.
OPPA is part of the University’s Directorate of External Relations, and works closely with other sections of the directorate, which are Marketing, Recruitment, Outreach and Admissions, Communications, Public Engagement and Events, and International Student Recruitment, Partnerships and Mobility.
About the Role
The role of Philanthropy Manager is to inspire and encourage philanthropic income from major individual donors to the University of York. You will work to build engagement and involvement of potential major donors and colleagues across the University to develop and deliver a pipeline of significant philanthropic gifts to York Giving’s priority projects.
You will manage a portfolio of major donor prospects and have responsibility and accountability for fund management and other priority projects for philanthropic funding, including liaising with academic theme coordinators.
This is a demanding and rewarding role that requires resilience and a long term view. The post holder will work to individual financial cash and pledge targets and KPIs based on meetings, moves, proposals and asks made.
Skills, Experience & Qualification needed
- Proven experience in a relationship management role, with both internal and external stakeholders. Ease at working with people and developing personable relationships with a wide range of people.
- Experience of fundraising or role generating new business.
- Knowledge and understanding of the principles related to donor cultivation, asking and stewardship
- Experience of organising events
- Experience of working in a high education or not for profit fundraising environment.
- Knowledge of data protection laws as they related to donor information
- Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge / NXT database or similar relationship management database
Interview date:To be confirmed
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
This is your chance to lead a growing and high-profile team at the heart of ARU’s future – building lifelong relationships and a culture of giving that makes a lasting difference.
Applications close at9 a.m. Tuesday 6th January 2026
Who we are
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is a modern, inclusive and globally engaged university that transforms lives through innovative, entrepreneurial and socially impactful education and research. Named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023 and rated Gold in the UK’s Teaching Excellence Framework, we are recognised for excellence in teaching, research and enterprise. With students from more than 185 countries, our community is driven by curiosity, collaboration and the desire to make a difference. Our research spans health, sustainability, creativity and technology, and we are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England. We are also one of the UK’s leading universities for degree apprenticeships, working with hundreds of employers to equip students for meaningful careers.
The opportunity
This is an exciting and pivotal moment for ARU’s Development and Alumni function. Now three and a half years old, the team has already established early strengths in major donor, trust and foundation fundraising, and plays an important role in advancing ARU’s mission around participation and social mobility. We are looking for an inspiring and strategic leader to shape the next phase of our Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Strategy. You will build on strong foundations to develop an integrated and creative approach across fundraising and alumni relations, creating a clearer narrative and a consistent, values-led experience for supporters.
Working closely with the Director of Marketing, Communications and Recruitment, the Vice Chancellor and the Chief Operating Officer, you will have the opportunity to influence at a senior level and help shape a visible culture of philanthropy across the university. You will lead a growing team, foster innovation, and harness digital and AI tools to enhance donor and alumni engagement. This role will also connect with our expanding international development remit, opening new opportunities to engage ARU’s global alumni community and build relationships that have both regional and worldwide impact.
About you
You will bring a strong track record in major gift fundraising and strategic relationship management, with experience across multiple income streams including individuals, trusts and corporates. A confident and inclusive leader, you will inspire your team and colleagues to achieve shared success, building collaboration and creativity across the function.
You will be skilled at developing compelling cases for support and using insight, data and storytelling to connect people to purpose. Experience in higher education or a large, complex, mission-driven organisation would be an advantage, as would familiarity with CRM systems such as Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge and the use of digital and AI-driven approaches to engagement.
Above all, you will share our belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of philanthropy in unlocking opportunity, driving inclusion and changing lives.
At ARU, you will join a values-led institution where ambition, integrity and community shape everything we do. You will be part of a supportive environment that encourages innovation, nurtures potential and celebrates success.
Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.
This advert will come down before the role closes, so please be aware that the closing date is 9 a.m. Tuesday 6th January 2026 and to visit Peridot Partners for the full details and the job pack.
