Head of Development – Social Sciences

University of Oxford; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 83,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious higher education institution in the UK is seeking a Head of Development – Social Sciences to lead their fundraising efforts. This role requires an experienced major gifts fundraiser who can inspire a dedicated team and build philanthropic partnerships. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills and a passion for academic excellence. Hybrid working options are available, along with an exceptional benefits package including generous leave and pension options.

Benefits

Opportunity for hybrid working

Exceptional contributory pension scheme

38 days annual leave

Cycle loan scheme

Discounted bus travel

Membership to CASE

Access to training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in major gifts fundraising and team management.
• Desire to drive positive change through philanthropic partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead the philanthropic strategy for Social Sciences.
• Inspire and manage the Social Sciences development team.
• Collaborate with other fundraising leaders across the collegiate network.

Skills

Emotional intelligence

Interpersonal skills

Entrepreneurial mindset

Collaboration

Job description

Head of Development – Social Sciences

Location: Oxford, UK with some hybrid working options
Permanent and full-time role
Salary: Grade 10: £65,336 - £75,439 per annum with possible extension to £82,255 (inclusive of Oxford University Weighting)

This is an exceptional leadership opportunity to join the leading higher education fundraising team outside North America.

The University of Oxford’s Social Sciences Division is one of the largest and most influential communities of social scientists in the world. Bringing together a diverse range of methodologies, themes, and fields of scholarship, our multi-disciplinary research thrives in an environment defined by academic excellence, independence, and innovation.

Grounded in Oxford’s long tradition of independent scholarship and academic freedom, we deliver world-leading research that not only challenges existing ideas but also develops new ways of understanding and improving society globally.

Consistently ranked among the world’s top three universities for social sciences, we demonstrate the power of those disciplines in addressing global challenges. Through deep engagement with organisations, policymakers, and communities, we translate knowledge into real-world impact - shaping policy, informing debate, and driving progress locally, nationally, and internationally. Our researchers regularly advise international governments and multilateral agencies, as well as NGOs that lobby and encourage policy change.

We are now seeking an accomplished fundraising leader to join our high-performing Development and Alumni Engagement team, and design and lead our philanthropic strategy for Social Sciences. If you are ready to make a lasting contribution to research with global impact, we would like to hear from you.

About you

You will be an experienced major gifts fundraiser and manager, who brings a collaborative and relationship-based approach to ensure success in your endeavours. Your experience, authenticity and curiosity about the world around you, enables you to establish credibility quickly and gain the confidence of the stakeholders you work with. As a divisional team leader and member of the major giving leadership team, you will inspire a motivated and committed Social Sciences development team as well as engage and collaborate with other fundraising leaders across the collegiate network, to identify and leverage all opportunities that will enable the University to achieve its strategic ambitions. It will therefore be important that you:

• Are a self-starter, motivated to achieve against strategic goals within a complex environment;
• Have highly developed emotional intelligence and sophisticated interpersonal and diplomacy skills;
• Bring an entrepreneurial mindset and can-do attitude; and
• Are a collaborative and personable colleague and manager, with a track record of bringing people along to achieve and celebrate outcomes together.

Higher education experience is desirable, while a passion for Oxford’s mission and a desire to drive positive change through philanthropic partnerships are absolutely essential.

In return

Your happiness and wellbeing at work matter to us, so we offer a range of family friendly, financial and professional benefits, including:

• Opportunity for hybrid working
• Exceptional contributory pension scheme and salary sacrifice options
• 38 days annual leave
• Comprehensive childcare services and family-friendly leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Subsidised University Sports Centre membership
• Engaging social groups and sports clubs beyond the workplace
• Use of the student discount card Totum
• Membership to CASE for advancement professionals
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities

We are partnering with Richmond Associates for this search. To request a copy of the candidate information pack or to apply, please visit richmond-associates.com/job/uox-head-of-development-social-sciences/ or contact them on [e-mail] or [phone].

Closing date for applications is 10AM on Friday, 31 October 2025

Interviews are currently scheduled to take place from mid-November

The University of Oxford Development Office is committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills and experiences, and reflects the community that we serve. We encourage applicants from all sectors of the community and are especially keen to encourage candidates from under-represented groups to apply.