Are you a strategic senior fundraiser with a track record of building influential relationships and securing significant philanthropic support?
The University of Oxford is seeking a Senior Development Executive to help secure philanthropic support for the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA). This is a rare opportunity to build philanthropic partnerships that enable ground-breaking research, transformative student opportunities, and deeper understanding of the world's diverse societies, cultures, and regions including Africa, Asia and Latin America
Location: Oxford
Salary: Grade 8: £49,119 - £58,265 per annum, with a possible extension to £63,489 including an Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Fixed-term for 2 years
About Us
Spanning the historic streets of the "city of dreaming spires", the University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to an organisation which delivers ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations. Apply now to become part of our extraordinary legacy.
The University of Oxford's ambitious Oxford Excellence campaign is creating new opportunities to advance research, education and global understanding through philanthropy. As part of Development and Alumni Engagement, and working closely with the OSGA, you will help build philanthropic partnerships to support world-leading research, scholarship and teaching, deepening understanding of the societies, cultures and global issues shaping our interconnected world.
What We Offer
Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:
- 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
- One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
- A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
- An excellent contributory pension scheme.
- Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
- Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in advancing one of the world's leading centres for research and teaching on global societies, cultures and international affairs. Through philanthropy, you will help enable research that informs policy, broadens understanding across cultures, and addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing communities around the world.
This role offers the opportunity to support some of OSGA's key academic priorities, including African Studies, Asian Studies and Latin American Studies, helping to secure philanthropic support for research and teaching that deepen understanding of diverse societies and cultures around the world.
Success in this role will come from your ability to build trusted relationships, develop compelling cases for support, and inspire philanthropic partnerships that advance both the priorities of OSGA and the wider ambitions of the Oxford Excellence campaign.
About You
- Proven success in securing major philanthropic gifts (high six-figure gifts) and managing relationships with high-value donors, trusts and foundations and stakeholders.
- Experience of delivering results within a target-driven environment.
- Ability to develop and implement major gift fundraising strategies.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
- Strong interest in global issues and the ability to discuss them with confidence and credibility.
Sponsorship and Right to Work
This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa. The University will meet the cost of the Skilled Worker visa and NHS surcharge for applicants that require a visa.
Please let us know in your application if you require sponsorship.
Application Process
To apply, please upload:
- A covering letter/supporting statement
- Your CV
- The details of two referees
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 20 July 2026.
Interviews will take place on Tuesday 30 July 2026 and will be held face-to-face.
We raise funds in support of the University’s academic priorities, securing donations for all aspects of academic and student endeavour.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Shaftesbury is a national disability charity that supports more than 4,000 children, young people and adults with a disability every year to live a life that truly adds up for them. That is at the heart of everything they do.
Their vision ‘all together better for disability’, is about working alongside the people they support so they can participate, contribute and be valued for who they are.
Their work is spearheaded by 1,500+ dedicated staff and volunteers who deliver a wide range of disability care, special education and rehabilitation services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, around the clock.
To achieve their vision, they are looking for an Individual Giving Manager with a focus on acquisition to work alongside the Head of Individual Giving across regular gifts, appeals, lottery, raffle and other new products.
The Individual Giving Manager drives the recruitment of new supporters and supports the stewardship of warm audience, generating sustainable income for Shaftesbury. The proportion of acquisition focus v retention focus is likely around 70/30.
This role focuses on maximising long-term value through innovative and impactful multichannel campaigns including reactivating lapsed supporters, optimising supporter conversion and delivering engaging onboarding experiences. The Individual Giving Manager will work on growing regular giving, cash and gaming pipelines and manage exciting projects which could include digital, DRTV, face-to- face, telemarketing, direct mail and radio. The role will provide assistance to the Head of Individual Giving with all retention activity, including cash appeals and newsletters.
Shaftesbury is happy to consider fundraisers or officer level candidates looking to step up into their first manager level role. At present this role doesn’t line manage, so management experience is not necessary. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for fundraising, supporter journeys and creative thinking and may have experience within a UK based charity in either IG and legacies, community fundraising, corporate or philanthropy.
This role is hybrid, with 4 days per month on average at either the Gateshead office or London office. The one role is being advertised twice to ensure candidates from both geographic locations see the role within their search remit and feel able to apply.
Application notes
Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.
To progress your application, please contact THINK Recruitment using the information in the Candidate Pack to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot progress candidates through to longlist without speaking with them, so please ensure you leave enough time to organise a screening call before the role closes.
If you need assistance with downloading the pack, please send an email to THINK and our team will support you.
Closing date for applications: Midnight Sunday 12th July
Stage 1 interviews are likely to be held on Tuesday 21st July and Stage 2 on Tuesday 28th or Friday 31st July.