Job title
Director of Development, Alumni and External Affairs
Location
Hull
Reports to
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs)
Works closely with
Vice-Chancellor
Direct Reports
Fundraising, alumni relations and development services teams
Key Relationships
Vice-Chancellor
Members of the Executive, Deans and other senior management
Chancellor, the Chairman and other current and former members of
Council
Strategic volunteers and donors
Local authorities, community leaders and community groups
Purpose:
To lead a development operation that
1) delivers sustainable philanthropic fundraising and other resources in
support of core University priorities;
2) builds, maximises and tracks long-term, productive relations with
individuals and organisations with the potential to support and
advance the core of the University’s mission;
3) provides leadership for development activities across the University;
Also:
4) to develop key relationships with individuals and groups whose
support and goodwill is of strategic importance to the University;
5) to actively promote a co-ordinated approach by external-facing
parts of the University.
Key Criteria for Success
After 12 months the candidate will have:
1) worked with the senior management team to agree the fundraising strategy and developed
an implementation plan which articulates measures of success and income targets;
2) established excellent working relationships with members of the senior management team
and academic staff across the University;
3) put in place the infrastructure and resources required to deliver an efficient and effective
fundraising operation;
4) produced and agreed a compelling case for support which is embraced by the University
5) Identified potential sources of philanthropic income and have cultivation plans in place for
key donor prospects;
6) developed and implemented a plan to increase alumni engagement;
7) researched the potential for income from trusts and foundations. Submitted applications and
won funding for projects;
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8) identified and developed key relationships with individuals and groups whose support and
goodwill is of strategic importance to the University.
9) established and developed sustainable arrangements for the Community and Alumni Awards,
including the development and implementation a clear criteria and process for determining
awards
10) established and be operating an alumni advisory board
11) established effective relationships with the Hull Alumni Association and President
Key Responsibilities
The Director will have key responsibilities in four areas: a) strategy and leadership, b) fundraising, c)
team leadership and management and d) external affairs.
A.
Strategy and leadership
1) To work directly with the Vice-Chancellor to develop and execute an ambitious and effective
programme of engaging the University’s strategic donors, potential donors and other supporters
2) Working closely with the Vice-Chancellor and senior management team, to develop and execute
a long-term fundraising strategy that significantly increases philanthropic income, utilises a wide
range of sources (including individuals, philanthropic foundations, legacies, and regular giving) and
has clear milestones for success.
3) To lead a re-invigorated Development and Alumni Relations Office that is effective in delivering
new and sustainable philanthropic income and other resources in support of the University
strategic priorities.
4) Working with the Vice-Chancellor, senior management team, academics and other staff, to identify
key fundraising projects that advance the University’s strategic priorities.
5) Working with the Vice-Chancellor, senior management team, academics and other staff, to
develop a compelling case for support to attract major gifts and ensure that this has the
understanding and support of the wider university community.
B.
Fundraising
6) Working closely with the Vice-Chancellor and senior management, to identify and engage and to
solicit support for strategic principal-level gifts of £1 million and above.
7) To engage and solicit gifts from a portfolio of principal-gift level and high major-gift level donors
and potential donors.
8) To lead the University’s engagement with individual donors and with philanthropic foundations.
C.
Team leadership and management
9) To develop, lead and inspire a highly effective team that will deliver against agreed targets, in
particular:
a. giving clear direction to and motivating the development office team;
b. managing performance;
c. developing staff potential.
10) To oversee the development and execution of an alumni and supporter engagement strategy with
the aims:
a. increasing the number of alumni and other friends of the University giving;
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b. building a pipeline between current students, regular engagement as alumni and friends,
regular giving and becoming a major donors;
c. strengthening the University’s relationship with alumni so that their goodwill, networks,
expertise and resources will advance the University’s core objectives of advancing and
disseminating knowledge and
11) To ensure that the development office is operationally efficient and that the appropriate fundraising
and relationship-building infrastructures are in place, in particular:
a. ensuring that the fundraising database operates as an effective and comprehensive
relationship management tool for the University’s philanthropic fundraising and strategic
relationship building;
b. putting in place effective processes for fundraising, donor cultivation and stewardship;
c. putting in place effective volunteer structures;
d. establishing KPIs and providing accurate reports on fundraising progress;
e. producing an annual budget for the development office and ensuring that it operates costeffectively and within budget.
D.
External affairs
12) To develop key relationships on behalf of the University with local authorities, community leaders
and community groups whose support and goodwill is of strategic importance to the University
and who fall outside of research, teaching, recruitment or commercial partnerships.
13) To represent the Vice-Chancellor and the University as appropriate at meetings and events
involving regional, city and national organisations.
14) To work with senior colleagues in maximising the strategic opportunities provided by the City of
Culture and the University’s 90th Anniversary in 2017.
15) To take an overall view and be active in promoting a co-ordinated approach by the external-facing
parts of the University.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Experience and knowledge
Essential

A proven track record of personally soliciting major gifts and working closely with key
donors

A proven track record of developing strategically important relationships

An understanding of the role of alumni relations in development and the means through
which alumni are engaged

An in depth knowledge of funding sources and revenue streams and the ability to develop
strategies to diversify income

Experience of working with senior management to develop and implement fundraising
strategies which are aligned to the goals of the institution

Experience of establishing a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic income

Proven experience of leading and motivating fundraising teams

Experience of scoping, developing and articulating complex fundraising projects
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
A background of devising sophisticated cultivation and solicitation strategies and a
successful track record of managing a portfolio of major gifts prospects.

Experience of establishing and maintaining volunteer structures.

A good general level of education, including a degree or equivalent.

International fundraising experience.

Knowledge of the UK university sector.
Desirable

Experience of leading an alumni relations function

Experience of fundraising in the context of a successful campaign

Experience of representing senior management at external events and meetings
Skills and abilities

Strong leadership skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Strategic planning and implementations skills

Strong relationship building skills in the context of a complex organisation

Excellent organisational and operational management skills

Effective negotiation skills
Personal Attributes

Positive and enthusiastic attitude

Results orientated

Team player

Resilient and determined

Confident and personable

Flexible

Well organised and systematic

Sensitive and diplomatic

Willing to travel in the UK and internationally
September 2015
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