Deputy Director of Development

University-of-Nottingham; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

30 days holiday (pro rata)

Staff development

Benefits package

Job summary

University of Nottingham is seeking a Deputy Director of Development to lead major gifts, regular giving and legacy programmes. You will sit on the DARO Senior Leadership Team, shaping how fundraising, alumni engagement and operations work together.

You will also manage a portfolio of major donors, securing transformational support to advance education, research and societal impact. The role focuses on developing high-performing teams, leveraging data-driven planning and strong stakeholder

Qualifications

• Experience shaping complex fundraising or income-generating activity with clear strategic delivery and impact.
• Proven ability to develop high-performing teams with openness and curiosity.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills with senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Evidence-based strategic planning using data and insight for pipeline management.
• Leadership and collaboration across fundraising, alumni engagement and operations.

Responsibilities

• Take strategic ownership of major gifts, regular giving and legacy giving programmes.
• Sit on the DARO Senior Leadership Team shaping how the office works together.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects to secure transformational gifts.
• Lead and develop teams to deliver income targets and measure impact.
• Collaborate with university partners to align fundraising with education and research goals.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Team development

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven planning

Relationship-building

Job description

Salary
£59,966 to £73,686per annum pro-rata depending on skills and experience.

Closing Date
Friday 09 October 2026

Reference
DARO164126

About the role
We’re looking for a Deputy Director of Development to help lead a recently transformed team, united by a strong sense of purpose and momentum. You’ll have real scope: you'll take strategic ownership of our major gifts, regular giving and legacy giving programmes; and you'll sit on the DARO Senior Leadership Team shaping how the whole office — fundraising, alumni engagement and operations — works together.

You'll also carry your own portfolio of major donors and prospects, securing support for the transformational gifts that advance our education, research and societal impact.

About you

• Experience of shaping complex fundraising or income-generating activity, with accountability for strategy, delivery and impact.
• Experience in developing high-performing teams, approached with openness, curiosity and a readiness to explore new perspectives.
• Effective relationship-building, influencing and communication skills, with experience engaging senior stakeholders and external partners.
• A thoughtful, evidence-based approach to strategic planning, using data and insight to guide pipeline management.

Leadership and relationship-building skills are developed in all kinds of careers. If your background is in sales, business development, client relationship management or consultancy, you could be who we're looking for. What matters is your ability to connect with people, understand their motivations and turn that into lasting commitment.

About us

The Development and Alumni Relations Office connects the University to a global alumni community of 360,000, plus donors and supporters around the world, who share in that ambition. Together, we build lifelong relationships, inspire lasting engagement and secure philanthropic support that helps the University achieve its most ambitious goals.

What we offer

• A friendly, diverse, and supportive working environment
• A hybrid working arrangement with the blended approach of home and office working each week
• Generous holiday entitlement of 30 days (or pro rata) plus standard bank holidays and five university closure days including closure between Christmas and New Year.
• We are committed to staff development through the provision of training, continued support, and career progression opportunities
• You will have access to a range of benefits and rewards, including fitness and health facilities, staff discounts, travel schemes and many more. To find out more about what we can offer you, follow the link to our benefits website

This is a permanent role. Your working hours will be full time (36.25 hours per week). If you are interested in part-time work (minimum 29 hours per week), we encourage you to apply. Please specify your preferred hours in your application.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Jon Ashford-Smith at [e-mail]. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.

To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process.

We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.

Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration .