Development Director

University of Southampton; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Flexible working

Pension scheme

Staff discounts

Learning and development opportunities

Cycle to Work

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice

Employee Assistance Programme

Staff recognition awards

Job summary

The University of Suffolk invites applications for a Development Director to lead its fundraising and development activities, forging major donor relationships, alumni engagement, and income from trusts and foundations to support its next chapter.

This strategic post requires an experienced fundraising leader who can motivate a high‑performing team, manage budgets, and deliver a ground-breaking institution-wide fundraising campaign.

Qualifications

• Extensive fundraising and development experience with a track record of meeting income targets.
• Proven experience delivering major gifts, legacies, trusts and foundations.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across levels.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing a high-performing team.
• Ability to plan and deliver large-scale fundraising campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead the University’s development and fundraising activities.
• Identify and cultivate major prospective donors and secure gifts.
• Engage alumni networks and build donor stewardship.
• Plan and execute an institution-wide fundraising campaign.
• Manage and develop the Alumni Relations and Development team to achieve targets.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Major gifts

Donor relations

Budget management

Job description

Job Title: Development Director

Hours of work: Full time, 37 hoursper week (1 FTE)

Duration: Permanent

Salary: £61,165 to £70,878 per annum, Band 8

About the post:

As the University of Suffolk celebrates the outstanding impact it has made in its first 10 years, this is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced fundraising and development professional to build on this success to raise engagement, support and funds to drive the next phase of our journey.

In this exciting and varied role, you will lead the University’s development and fundraising activities - identifying and building meaningful relationships with key donors, building engagement and fundraising from our alumni network, maximising income from trusts and foundations, and planning and executing of the University’s first institution-wide fundraising campaign.

You will be an excellent communicator and have the skills and experience to lead, motivate and develop the Alumni Relations and Development team to ensure that the University’s development and fundraising targets are achieved.

About Marketing Communications and International (MCI)

The Directorate of Marketing, Communications & International plays a key role in the delivery of the University’s ambitious growth strategy. The Directorate provides professional leadership, advice, and services to colleagues across the University, ensuring that all activities are evidence-based and are focused on achieving clear business objectives.

Alumni Relations and Development is responsible for activities including alumni relations, donor stewarding, sponsorship, fundraising and philanthropy, and the postholder will be expected to drive the growth and development of engagement and income across all of these areas.

About you:

• Extensive fundraising and development experience, with a track record of delivering income targets through successful fundraising campaigns, major gifts, legacies, and trusts and foundations.
• A track record of identifying and cultivating major prospective donors, delivering proactive and innovative stewardship to support this.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, able to engage confidently across all levels in person and in writing.
• A proactive, solution-focused mindset with a strong commitment to enhancing the University brand and achieving targets.
• Experience and ability to successfully lead, motivate and develop a high-performing team.
• A can-do attitude and ability to work as part of a team as well as provide strategic leadership.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills and a proven track record of effective budget management.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days for Bands 1-4 and 30 days for Bands 5 and above, plus 8 bank holidays and any university closure days.
• Enjoy an extra day of paid leave on your birthday, subject to qualifying/service conditions.
• Flexible working, including family friendly policies.
• Competitive workplace pension scheme (USS) – with an employer contribution rate of 14.5%, tax relief on contributions and life cover.
• Staff discounts at a number of local amenitiesin Ipswich.
• Discounted membership at Adastral Park Leisure and Sports
• Access to a range of high-quality learning and development opportunities
• Discountedrates for staff approved to study a UoS undergraduate or postgraduate course, subject to a set of criteria and conditions.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Staff recognition annual awards.

Closing Date: 23 October 2026

Interview Date/s: w/c2 November (TBC)

We are a values driven organisation, committed to ensuring we remain a beacon for aspiration and achievement, while providing a great environment to work and study. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community and we encourage applications from under-represented groups.