Senior fundraising officer jobs

Saïd Business School is entering an exciting new chapter. As we prepare to celebrate our 30th anniversary and deliver an ambitious new five-year strategy, we are expanding our Development and Alumni team and seeking two exceptional Senior Philanthropy Officers to help drive a transformational step change in philanthropic support. Working closely with senior academics, School leadership, alumni and supporters, you will build meaningful relationships with philanthropists whose generosity can help tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges through business, entrepreneurship, innovation and social impact.

You will manage a portfolio of high-potential prospects, developing tailored engagement strategies that connect donors' passions with Oxford Saïd's strategic priorities. From identifying opportunities and cultivating relationships through to securing significant gifts and delivering outstanding stewardship, you will play a leading role in growing philanthropic income and impact across the School.

Key responsibilities:

• Managing and developing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and selected philanthropic organisations.
• Securing gifts typically ranging from £50,000 to £1 million+.
• Building trusted relationships with senior academics, School leadership, alumni volunteers and University colleagues.
• Translating world-class academic research and thought leadership into inspiring donor propositions.
• Supporting cultivation events, donor visits and stewardship activities that deepen engagement and demonstrate impact.

You will be an experienced and strategic fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing major gifts and building successful donor relationships within complex organisations. You will have experience engaging high-net-worth individuals and philanthropic organisations, consistently achieving ambitious income targets and managing prospects through the full fundraising cycle. Additionally, you will possess the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling philanthropic opportunities. A strong understanding of fundraising best practice, ethics and data governance is essential, alongside experience using fundraising CRM systems.

Further information on this role can be found in the job description.

At Saïd Business School we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to our team. Join us to build a brighter, more equitable future, where we celebrate diversity, advance equity, and nurture inclusion across everything we do.

We offer very generous benefits, some of which are:

• Generous holiday allowance of 38 days including bank holidays
• Hybrid working
• Membership of the Oxford staff pension scheme
• Discounted bus travel
• Subsidised onsite catering
• Cycle loan scheme
• Plus, many other University benefits

All applications must include a CV, Supporting Statement/Cover Letter and Current Salary.

The closing date for applications is Friday 7 August 2026 at 12.00 noon. Please note, this vacancy may close earlier than advertised if we receive a high number of suitable applications.

About MAP
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees. For more than 40 years, we have been delivering essential health and medical care to those most affected by conflict, displacement and occupation in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and Lebanon.

We are now responding to the largest emergency in our history. Over the last two and a half years, tens of thousands of new supporters have joined MAP. We work to raise Palestinian voices and secure their rights to health and dignity. As part of our commitment to meeting the growing needs of the communities we serve, we’re expanding our team.

About the role
As Senior Supporter Retention Officer (Appeals and Islamic Giving), you will lead the development of supporter-led, multi-channel fundraising campaigns. You'll design bespoke supporter journeys for key audiences, including Islamic givers and mid-value supporters. You’ll play a pivotal role in strengthening relationships with both long-standing and new supporters of MAP, helping to grow income from existing audiences to fund vital medical aid. 

In collaboration with the Supporter Retention Manager, you will help shape the Individual Giving strategy, with a focus on cash appeals and our Islamic giving programme. You’ll also work closely with our Supporter Retention Officers, providing guidance and support while delivering impactful campaigns and supporter journeys.  

This is an important and exciting time to join MAP. As we grow our supporter retention programme, you’ll play a key role in enhancing supporter experience, developing our testing approach, and delivering high-performing campaigns.

Please see the job description for full details on key responsibilities and who we’re looking for. 

About You

Are you an experienced Direct Marketing professional with a passion for insight-led supporter journeys and fundraising appeals? 

We’re looking for a Senior Supporter Retention Officer (Appeals and Islamic Giving) to develop our high-performing retention programme. In this role, you’ll create stand-out supporter experiences and build an audience-led direct marketing programme, with a specific focus on Islamic Giving and Cash Appeals. If you’re ready for a career defining role where your work can make a real difference to the lives of Palestinians, we’d love to hear from you.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Interviews will take place on Microsoft Teams.
 

 How to Apply

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter via our career page before the deadline of 11:59pm GMT on 20th July 2026.
 

Equal opportunities

MAP aims to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.
 

Background checks

As an organisation MAP is committed to the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable adults. MAP will conduct appropriate background and references checks. Link in that safeguarding and ethical conduct.

About Medical Aid for Palestinians

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) works in partnership with Palestinian communities to uphold their rights to health and dignity. We do this by developing effective, sustainable and locally-led healthcare services, providing medical aid during emergencies, and campaigning to break down the barriers to Palestinian health and healthcare today and for the future. 

MAP has a zero tolerance policy with regard to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by MAP‘s personnel against the people they serve. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is the responsibility of everyone, and all selected candidates will be required to comply with MAP's PSEA Policy at all times. Selected candidates will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks against their past behaviour related to sexual exploitation and abuse, and may be required to provide additional information further on in the selection process.

George Watson’s College wishes to appoint a Senior Philanthropy Officer to lead the school’s individual giving and legacy fundraising initiatives, and support major programmes and campaigns. Develop strong relationships with donors and our alumni community to grow philanthropic income and long-term engagement. 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

Individual Giving 

• Lead the planning, execution and optimisation of individual giving efforts. Manage campaign setup, timelines, assets, and donor experience.  

• Monitor performance and analyse results to drive continuous improvement in participation, engagement, and revenue.  

• Collaborate with Admissions and Marketing, and other internal teams, to source and develop compelling content.  

• Along with the Head of Development, manage a fundraising communications calendar and play a leading role in content creation.  

• Collaborate with the Admissions and Marketing team to ensure website content, landing pages, and donation pages support digital giving goals.  

• Execute fundraising strategies in partnership with the Head of Development. Build, segment, code, and deploy emails to support giving campaigns and organisational priorities.  

• Manage a portfolio of donors linked to specific programmes and campaigns. 

Legacies  

• Plan and deliver multi-channel legacy marketing campaigns (print, digital, events)  

• Build and maintain relationships with legacy pledgers and prospects  

• Deliver high-quality, sensitive stewardship to recognise and retain legacy supporters  

• Organise events and communications to engage legacy supporters  

• Produce compelling and sensitive legacy messaging and materials  

Campaign/Programmes 

• Manage and grow the patrons programme, including recruitment, retention, and upgrades  

• Develop a clear donor journey, including benefits, communications, and recognition  

• Monitor performance against income targets and KPIs  

• Work in collaboration with Heads of the Creative Arts programmes to monitor and administer funds for maximum impact across the arts 

Foundation Places and Enrichment Fund 

• Support impact reporting and administration of discrete aspects of our widening access programmes. 

• Manage application process to the Enrichment Fund, including managing enquiries, disbursements and liaison with Finance. 

• Any other duties related to these programmes as directed by senior staff. 

IDEAL CANDIDATE 

Essential: 

• Relevant degree, professional qualification or equivalent professional experience  

• Demonstrable experience in Individual Giving, Direct Marketing or Legacy fundraising, with an annual income return of 6+ figures  

• Proven track record of delivering successful multi-channel campaigns  

• Strong understanding of supporter journeys, acquisition and retention  

• Skilled in data analysis, performance tracking and forecasting   

• Proficiency with graphic design tools, experience with Canva would be an advantage.  

• Demonstrable experience with Raisers Edge, or similar CRM system 

• Ability to manage complex projects and programs and deliver to set KPI and timelines 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  

• Experience with content writing, brand voice, and digital fundraising best practices.  

• Ability to build and foster relationships across business functions.  

• Understanding of charity law, GDPR and best practices in fundraising  

• Commitment to high level of professional standards  

• Genuine appreciation of George Watson’s College’s mission and the ability to communicate it  

Desirable: 

• Fundraising or marketing qualification such as CIOF accreditation or CIM qualifications. 

• Event management experience  

• Experience of working in the education or charity sectors  

• Understanding of the Independent School sector