Philanthropy Manager

Philanthropy Manager  

Unit: Development Office

Salary: £45,585 to £54,395

Location: Milton Keynes

Please quote reference: 

Terms: Fulltime, Permanent

Closing Date: 16 May 2024 - 12:00 noon

Interview date: 4 and 5 June 2024 on campus

Flexible and remote working are an option but must be able to attend Milton Keynes at least a few days per month and ad hoc as required. There will also be expected travel to donors in line with business needs.

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The role

The Open University is recruiting a Philanthropy Manager. A highly motivated, self-driven individual who will be able to drive new business and to secure philanthropic income for the University in the Open University’s Development Office. This will be achieved through sourcing and securing philanthropic funds primarily through corporates, wealthy individuals, trusts and foundations both in the UK and internationally.

Working with the Head of Partnerships, you will take a lead role in identifying and developing external partnerships with Trusts, Corporates, and Individuals to support philanthropic partnerships.

You will develop new and existing long-term relationships and be creative about the introduction of new business. You will be based within the Philanthropy Team, a dynamic and supportive team of five including the Head of Partnerships and the Head of Philanthropy alongside a Philanthropy Manager, a Philanthropy Officer and a Research Team.

You will have experience of identifying, disseminating and developing tailored and compelling opportunities for funding partnerships and a track record of securing philanthropic donations both in the UK and globally, including the ability to influence and work collaboratively across boundaries and develop external networks.

Skills and experience

• Graduate or holds an equivalent qualification.
• Proven track record in fundraising for Higher Education, cultural or charitable institutions, with securing and delivering high five to seven figure gifts/partnerships/sponsorships both within UK and Internationally from either trust, individuals or companies.
• Ability to influence senior decision-makers internally and externally in philanthropic organisations; as well as wealthy individuals to ask/ negotiate for major gifts.
• Ability to work flexibly, to deadlines, with tact and diplomacy, using judgement and initiative.
• Excellent persuasive writing, communication skills and team working.
• Ability to understand and interpret complex subjects into persuasive proposals and presentations for an external audience.
• More information can be found in the Job Description.

If you would like to discuss the application or recruitment process before making an application, please contact Adriana Klaasen at Resourcing Hub on 01908 655544 or Resourcing-hub@open.ac.uk quoting the reference VRF 21625.

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days.

How to apply

Unless otherwise stated in the advert, all applications are completed online via the instructions on The OU Job’s page. Applications submitted via 3^rd party websites will not be received.

Access details for disabled applicants are available from the Resourcing Hub, telephone: 01908 655544, quoting the vacancy reference above.

To apply for this role please submit the following as one document;

CV Personal statement, up to 1000 words, you should set out in your statement why you’re interested in this role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job and person specification. Please save your document with the following file name as appropriate to the vacancy you are applying for: reference, surname, forename.

You will need to have your documents ready ahead of submitting the electronic application.

You will receive updates regarding your application from resourcing-applications@open.ac.uk. Please ensure this email address is added to your list of trusted senders so it does not go to your junk folder.

You can view your application communications on the Candidate portal.

Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.