Head of Fundraising

Our client, a world renowned educational establishment in the heart of Oxford, is seeking a Head of Fundraising (Philanthropy) to join their busy team.

You will be able to engage with a wide range of donors, ask them to support various projects and help them as they make their choices. Crucially, you will share the institutions story effectively and fearlessly.

We welcome applications for an ambitious development professional who is able to demonstrate fundraising experience and is ready to make their move to a more senior development post and continue their professional development further.

The successful candidate will be working closely with the Director, to meet prospective donors and secure donations.

Essential

•Working with the Director to develop the major gift programme, to secure new donors and deliver new fundraising initiatives,

•Use your drive and listening skills to build focussed and exciting short, medium and long-term engagement plans with donors and supporters,

•Manage and steward a portfolio of 30 – 40 prospective donors capable of making five figure gifts to business,

•Plan and undertake face-to-face cultivation and solicitation visits with alumni, current and past parents, corporations and trusts, working with Management but frequently working alone,

•Attend relevant business events both onsite and external

•Undertake any other reasonable tasks which may be necessary in order to assist the efficient and effective running of development activity and the Office.

Desirable

•Show that you can work at a strategic level to understand and articulate an institution’s mission, vision, and operating context,

•Manage and steward a portfolio of 30 – 40 donors capable of making six figure+ gifts,

•Show that you can develop and implement plans over a sustained period with a range of stakeholders that measurably contribute to the institution’s ambitions,

•Project manage our regular giving programme,

•Have experience of fundraising through regular giving programmes, legacy programmes, giving circles and stewardship,

•Be familiar with the Raiser’s Edge database system or similar relationship management system,

•Have experience of integrating development or community-building into a wider institutional context,

•Deputise for the Director in their absence and undertake other responsibilities as necessary.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will have the gravitas and communication skills to build relationships with prospective and current donors, and ideally have experience of face-to-face fundraising or regular giving. Additionally, they may already have their own portfolio of prospective donors. You will also be able to demonstrate your ability to take the next step in your career.

Energy and commitment to the school and the ability to develop relationships with individuals who would like to support the institution financially are important attributes.

Personal Attributes

•A professional attitude, discretion and proven levels of confidentiality.

•A high level of emotional intelligence that allows you to understand our donors and how best to support them to enjoy giving and seeing school life flourish.

•Excellent communication skills, spoken and written.

•A proven ability to cultivate relationships which lead to financial support.

•Ambition and drive to deliver the institutions development plans,

•Ability to succeed as part of a small team and to share expertise in support of the wider success of development activity.

•Ability to understand and articulate the strengths and needs of the institution in a compelling and engaging way to donors at all levels.

•Ability to work well with a variety of people including alumni, parents, colleagues and senior volunteers.

•Ability to use own initiative and work under pressure.

•Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

My client offers a competitive salary, and generous enhanced benefits package.

This role is based in central Oxford where parking is limited.