Philanthropy Manager

Are you a talented and tenacious relationship fundraiser looking for your next challenge?

Aberystwyth University is seeking an experienced Philanthropy Manager to lead a challenging programme of long and short-term plans to deliver income targets from major donations (both in lifetime and gifts in wills) to the University. This role will manage a small, but motivated team of fundraising professionals.

Over the past 150 years, Aberystwyth University has developed an enviable reputation for academic excellence, an exceptional student experience and world-leading research. In January 2024, we welcomed a new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jon Timmis, under his leadership we are looking to grow our activity and income over the next 5-years and beyond.

The post-holder will work with major donors and legacy prospects within the University’s 100,000 alumni community as well as with other supporters at local, national, UK and international levels.

This requires building strong, respectful, and mutually supportive networks with a range of internal and senior stakeholders including the Vice Chancellor, the University Executive, Council, Honorary Fellows and the Old Students’ Association. 

The postholder will be a proactive individual with a proven ability and passion for relationship management and donor acquisition, driving the delivery of our donor-centric strategy for philanthropy.

To make an informal enquiry, please contact Lyndsey Stokes, Director of Development and Alumni Relations at lyr6@aber.ac.uk. Applications accepted via university portal only. 

Appointments are normally made within 4 - 8 weeks of the closing date. 

Requirements 

What you will do: 

• Lead a team of fundraising professionals to successfully meet the ambitious targets of the University. The postholder will manage, motivate and develop their team, providing clear objectives and managing performance against these, to ensure that staff are appropriately motivated and trained to carry out their responsibilities.
• Working with DARO colleagues and external networks, to establish, manage, review and develop a data driven, dynamic rolling portfolio of existing and prospective major donors and legators, to achieve ambitious fundraising targets for the University.
• To develop compelling cases for support for areas of activity within the university with high potential for enhancement by philanthropic support.
• To secure six and seven figure philanthropic donations on behalf of the university.
• To develop and launch a proactive legacy giving strategy for the university to maximise opportunities to secure gifts in wills to the university.
• To develop and present compelling and creative proposals through face to face meetings within the UK and internationally, presentations and fundraising events and written publications.
• To brief senior internal and external stakeholders on major donor approaches and relationships and maximise their support in securing and stewarding of major donor relationships.
• To communicate systematically and effectively with existing and prospective donors to develop relationships and respond to individual preferences and motivations.
• To research and present annual plans and targets and monitor and report to the Director on progress.
• To negotiate and draft Gift Agreements with major donors in line with University Donations Acceptance policy.
• To ensure that major gift income is accurately accounted for and reconciled with the Finance Department and that it is spent in accordance with donor’s wishes and in accordance with charity law.
• To alert the Director on potential risks to reputation arising from major donor and legator activity and recommend actions to address these.
• To contribute to the development and delivery of the overall DARO departmental strategy. 
• To ensure compliance with data protection legislation, Fundraising Regulation and University policy and procedures. 
• To regularly travel and be away from the normal base (including internationally as required) and to attend commitments outside normal office hours.
• To undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• To be committed to the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
• To be committed to your own development and that of your staff through the effective use of the University’s Effective Contribution Scheme.
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

To apply, please visit our website via the button below.