DARO exists to support this academic and student community by engaging, inspiring, and celebrating alumni, individuals, and charitable funders who give their money, time, and networks to support the University’s strategic priorities. The Office, which is comprised of five teams, is focused on fundraising and volunteering from alumni, organisations and individuals who are passionate about changing lives, through funding various research trials, supporting student bursaries, mentoring students, and providing internships, as well as providing a versatile programme of engagement opportunities for our global alumni community. 

Role Summary

Do you want to be part of a dynamic and innovative fundraising team? Do you want to raise money for some of society’s most pressing challenges and play a key role in an ambitious fundraising and volunteering campaign?

We are looking to recruit a Philanthropy Officer to join us at this very exciting time. The Philanthropy Officer will be responsible for the relationship management of a portfolio of around 100 prospective donors in order to raise funds for a range of key projects. They will be responsible for the entire prospect relationship management process including researching, cultivating, asking and stewarding. 

This role will play an integral part in supporting donations to improve student experience and across key areas of research.

As part of an award-winning team and led by some of the most respected names in higher education fundraising, you’ll get the chance to work across the team and wider university to encourage new donors to make long-term, sustainable and significant £10k plus gifts. You will also have the opportunity to work with our senior team on proposals to top donors enabling you to get experience of working with some of the most successful and experienced major gift fundraisers in the UK Higher Education sector. 

You will be provided with a robust induction and an ongoing training program that will include support from the University as well as expert external providers.

Main Duties

As a Philanthropy Officer you will have responsibility for managing a portfolio of current and prospective donors. You will have the confidence to ask for donations, be a strong communicator, and be passionate about making a difference to some of the biggest challenges the world faces. 

The Philanthropy Officer will take ownership of the end-to-end relationship management process of a prospect, from initial research to stewardship activity:

• Personally manage a portfolio of circa 100 of the University’s (4- and 5-figure) donors and prospective donors, maintaining close relationships with each prospect and integrating them with the University whenever possible to bring the prospective donors to the point where you can ask for philanthropic support.
• Secure over £100,000 of donation pledges in the first year and develop a sustainable pipeline of prospects and philanthropic income.
• Demonstrate an understanding that successful fundraising is based on building effective relationships, which match a prospective donor’s philanthropic interest with an area of strength and/or opportunity at the University. Be responsible for the end-to-end relationship management process of your contacts including:
  • Identifying new prospective donors from your networks. 
  • Making the approach and managing a cultivation process, tailored to your prospect.
  • Understanding the University’s campaign priorities and bringing them to life for individual supporters. through various communication channels. 
  • Asking confidently, passionately and effectively for key priorities. 
  • Building long-term relationships that are centred on the donor, including maximising volunteering opportunities where appropriate. 
  • Stewarding the donor once a gift is made, ensuring the individual remains connected to the University, the project, and the impact which they have made.
• Responsible for adhering to relevant fundraising regulation and GDPR whilst ensuring fundraising processes are ethical and that due diligence is undertaken as necessary.
• Deliver against set targets including money raised, asks made, meetings secured and gift close rate.
• Communicate effectively with prospects, donors, volunteers, alumni, academics, researchers and businesses using a wide range of communication skills.
• Communicate effectively with prospects and donors by phone, email, LinkedIn, letter and face-to-face.
• Work internally with academics to showcase projects to potential donors and work with colleagues across the university to bring gifts to fruition.
• Work closely with the Volunteering, Events, Campaign Management, Donor Experience, Regular Giving and Legacy Teams to maximise opportunities for collaboration with prospective donors.
• Working in partnership with other fundraisers and members of DARO including sharing best practice and ensuring prospect development by playing in senior stakeholders at the right time.
• Use Blackbaud CRM to record meetings and proposals effectively to allow accurate performance monitoring and reporting.
• Take ownership of all processes and communications in relation to your prospects to include writing proposals, first approach communication, thank you letters and gift paperwork as appropriate.
• Work with the Philanthropic Finance Team to ensure pledges are fulfilled and donations are correctly managed.
• Being familiar with methods of tax efficient giving in the UK. 
• Seeking out opportunities for professional development.
• Fosters a fair and equitable workplace for all staff. 
• Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working. 
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) - where no equivalent qualification is held, significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a similar role will be required.
• Evidence of performance gained within a results-orientated environment such as fundraising, sales, marketing, recruitment or account management.
• Enthusiastic, target-driven and motivated to raise money.
• Strong communication skills including the ability to establish relationships quickly and prepare information and reports for potential donors.
• Ability to construct a range of solicitation strategies.
• The post holder is expected to manage their own prospect pool with support from the Prospect Research Team