Director of Development, Culture and Collections

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university seeks a Visionary and Strategic Director of Development for Culture and Collections. This role involves leading fundraising efforts for notable cultural institutions such as The Fitzwilliam Museum and Kettle's Yard, aiming to strengthen their impact and outreach while working in a collaborative and dynamic environment.

Benefits

Generous leave

Hybrid working options

Professional development support

Wellbeing resources

Sustainability commitment

Inclusive culture

Qualifications

• Experienced fundraiser with a passion for arts and culture.
• Ability to lead high-performing teams and strategies.
• Effective collaborator with senior stakeholders and donors.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising strategies for Culture and Collections.
• Build meaningful philanthropic partnerships.
• Inspire and support a team of fundraisers.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Relationship Building

Communication

Job description

Shape the cultural future of one of the world's greatest universities.

Are you an experienced major gift fundraiser with a passion for the arts, culture, and heritage? Do you thrive in collaborative environments and lead high-performing teams? This is a rare opportunity to take on a high-profile leadership role at the heart of the University of Cambridge — one of the world's most respected and inspiring institutions.

We are seeking a Visionary and Strategic Director of Development, Culture and Collections to lead fundraising for an extraordinary portfolio that includes:

• The Fitzwilliam Museum — one of the world's most significant university museum collections, home to over half a million works of art.
• Kettle's Yard — Cambridge's unique contemporary art gallery, blending the personal and the progressive.
• The University Library — one of the world's great research libraries, housing treasures from across human history.

You will lead a team of talented fundraisers and work closely with directors, curators, academic leaders, and senior donors to build meaningful, long-term philanthropic partnerships that support creativity, scholarship, and public engagement.

Why Cambridge? Why Now?

At Cambridge University Development and Alumni Relations, we're more than fundraisers — we're partners in progress. Following the success of our landmark Dear World... Yours, Cambridge campaign, we are planning our next ambitious chapter: a transformative new fundraising campaign and a bold target to double annual philanthropic income.

Joining now means helping shape this campaign from the outset — with Culture and Collections playing a vital role in telling the story of Cambridge to the world.

What We're Looking For

• We seek a dynamic fundraising leader capable of building and executing major gift strategies that deliver at scale, including seven- and potentially eight-figure gifts.
• Inspire, lead, and support a team of fundraisers to reach their full potential.
• Partner effectively with senior stakeholders and academic leaders to align fundraising with institutional priorities.
• Communicate compellingly with sophisticated donors passionate about culture, creativity, and legacy.
• Bring creativity, curiosity, and emotional intelligence to relationship building and team leadership.

What We Offer

• A meaningful mission — Help preserve and champion the world's cultural and intellectual heritage.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture — Join a team that values integrity, ambition, and learning.
• Support for your growth — Access Cambridge's renowned professional development ecosystem.
• Wellbeing and flexibility — Generous leave, hybrid working options, and wellbeing resources.
• A commitment to sustainability and global impact — Make a difference in how we work and what we support.
• A historic yet future-focused workplace — Live and work in a city of inspiration, beauty, and brilliance.

Be Part of Something Bigger

This is your chance to help shape the future of culture at Cambridge — a place where creativity meets excellence, and where philanthropy fuels the imagination and ideas that define generations. If you're ready to lead with purpose, build something lasting, and be part of a world-class fundraising team — we'd love to hear from you.

University of Cambridge Development and Alumni Relations — do your best work here.

Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

The closing date for this position is midnight on the 27th July 2025.

First round interviews are anticipated to take place in the week commencing 11th August, with second-round interviews on 20th August.

Please quote reference DH46359 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Further information:

• Candidate Pack - Director of Development, Culture and Collections