Aberystwyth University

CASE; Aberystwyth; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CASE in Aberystwyth is seeking a senior fundraising leader to develop a programme delivering income targets from major donations and legacy gifts. You will lead a small team, manage major donor networks, and work with internal and external stakeholders across the UK and internationally.

You will build compelling cases for support, secure six- and seven-figure gifts, and oversee a proactive legacy giving strategy.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Track record of securing five- to six-figure gifts from individuals.
• Experience in developing philanthropic income targets.
• Knowledge of legacy giving strategies and donor stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of fundraising professionals to meet targets.
• Manage major donor and legator portfolios with data-driven planning.
• Develop compelling cases for support for university activity.
• Secure six- and seven-figure philanthropic gifts.
• Oversee legacy giving strategy and gifts in wills.
• Present proposals in face-to-face meetings, UK and internationally.

Skills

Team leadership

Donor cultivation

Major gifts

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Proposal development

Communication

Welsh language ability

Travel ability

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Job description

This role will develop and 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.

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.

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

What you’ll do

This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.

• 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.
• Working with DARO colleagues and external networks, to manage and develop a data driven, dynamic rolling portfolio of existing and prospective major donors and legators, to achieve ambitious fundraising targets.
• To develop compelling cases for support for areas of activity within the university with high potential for philanthropic support.
• To secure six and seven figure philanthropic donations on behalf of the university.
• To oversee a proactive legacy giving strategy for the university to maximise opportunities to secure gifts in wills.
• To develop and present compelling 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 relationships to 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 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 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.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by your line manager, commensurate with the role's grade.
• Engage in university-level projects and initiatives as directed, and undertake any additional duties commensurate with the role, as assigned by the line manager.
• Demonstrate flexibility by supporting colleagues during periods of high demand, including attendance at key university events such as open days and graduation ceremonies which may include weekend work.
• Promote equality of opportunity, and to support and uphold the University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work.
• To support the university strategy and underlining plans, engage in continuous personal and professional development in line with the demands of the role, including undertaking relevant training and development activities to develop yourself and support the development of others.
• Fulfil health and safety responsibilities appropriate to the role, while actively promoting the personal health, safety, and wellbeing of staff and students as a member of the Aberystwyth community. Additionally, support the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability through responsible practices and engagement.

The above does not represent an exhaustive list of duties associated with this role.

Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required:

Essential

1. Educated to degree level or equivalent.

2. Demonstrable experience of securing a five or six figure gift from an individual, from initiating first contact to cultivation, through to gift agreement.

3. Experience of developing and achieving philanthropic income targets.

4. Knowledge of proactive legacy giving strategies,

5. Experience of systematically approaching major donor/legacy giving prospects, converting approaches to cultivation, then solicitation and securing gifts.

6. Experience of managing staff, working as part of a team and supporting team members to achieve joint objectives.

7. Knowledge of relational databases and how to extract pertinent data to support planning and execution of long-term objectives.

8. Outstanding communication skills with compelling verbal and written ability; able to tailor written and verbal content and style to a range of audiences.

9. Very strong influencing and interpersonal skills, proficient at relationship building, and have the awareness and diplomacy to work with high-profile individuals.

10. Ability to prioritise, work flexibly and to manage multiple priorities, with competing deadlines.

11. Ability to think clearly about challenging problems and issues, to generate and assess options and pursue pragmatic, proportionate solutions through persuasion and negotiation.

12. Ability to regularly travel in the UK and internationally and attend activities outside office hours.

13. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level A2.* or evidence to demonstrate an on-going commitment to learn Welsh to this level.

Desirable

1. Qualification in Fundraising Management (CIOF or similar)

2. Knowledge of estate planning and probate

3. Experience of fundraising in a Higher Education context

4. Experience of achieving capital fundraising targets and/or campaign targets

5. Knowledge of the principles of other areas of fundraising including trusts, events, and individual giving.

6. Knowledge of Raisers Edge relational database.

7. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level B2

*More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:

https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hr/policy-and-procedure/welsh-standards/