Senior Development Executive - Humanities (Fundraiser)

University of Oxford - Development and Alumni Engagement; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious UK university is looking for a seasoned senior fundraiser to join their Development Team. The role involves collaborating with senior academics to raise major gifts for scholarships and initiatives at the new Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. Applicants should have a strong background in securing significant donations, a passion for the arts, and the ability to engage diverse stakeholders. This position offers a supportive work environment, strong professional development opportunities, and generous benefits including hybrid work arrangements.

Benefits

38 days annual leave

Hybrid working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Childcare and family-friendly leave schemes

Excellent pension scheme

Subsidised sports centre membership

Cycle loan scheme

Qualifications

• Experienced development professional with a successful track record of securing major gifts.
• Confident in engaging with diverse individuals inside and outside the organization.
• Ability to creatively identify and maximize fundraising opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with senior academics to secure funding for posts and scholarships.
• Cultivate support for the Schwarzman Centre and public events.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Creative thinking

Communication

Team collaboration

Passion for arts and humanities

Job description

In September 2025 Oxford opened its new home for humanities, the state-of-the-art Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. Building on our successes in recent years, we are growing the team with a new senior fundraising role that will work with world-class academics and artists in our faculties and in the Centre’s cultural programming.

In addition to housing a Humanities Library and 7 academic faculties, the Schwarzman Centre includes a world-class, purpose-built concert hall space, theatre, cinema and ‘black box’ performance space, creating a new home for music, film, performing arts and visual arts in Oxford and transforming the experience for students, academics and the local community. The building will create a step change in the visual and performing arts in Oxford, establishing a central base for the Music faculty and History of Art department while offering exciting potential for collaboration with the Ruskin School of Art.

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. We are looking for a new senior fundraiser to join our energetic team to raise major gifts for a range of posts, scholarships and other priorities across the Humanities Division. Oxford is the world’s leading university for humanities teaching and research. The University’s scholarship in languages, literature, history, philosophy, religion, and the arts – from the earliest civilisation to the present day – enriches our understanding of humankind. Our research informs how we engage with historic issues and contemporary concerns, and contributes to our understanding of – and solutions to – some of the most complex global challenges, from climate change to the impacts of Artificial Intelligence.

About the Role

This fundraiser will work closely with senior academics in the Humanities Division. The post will focus primarily on funding for posts and scholarships in the academic faculties as well as securing support for the activities of the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, including the programme of public events that will start taking place in the building from spring 2026. An interest and appreciation for the arts and humanities is essential.

To Be Successful You’ll Need :

• To be an experienced development professional with a strong track record of securing major gifts and the ability to secure gifts in the range of £100k-£1m+
• Confidence to work with people from a range of backgrounds, both internally and externally
• The ability to think creatively in prospecting, cultivation and stewardship by identifying and maximising opportunities
• To work well as part of a team, with the capacity to work independently on projects and priorities
• A passion for the arts and humanities, and an awareness of the funding landscape in the UK and internationally

What We Offer

As an employer, we value the wellbeing and development of all our employees. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits, including :

• 38 days annual leave (including public holidays)
• Hybrid working arrangements for a healthy work-life balance
• Extensive personal and professional development opportunities
• Membership to CASE to support your professional development as an educational advancement professional
• Supportive childcare services and other family-friendly leave schemes for working parents, guardians and those with caring responsibilities
• Generous family leave for maternity, adoption, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Excellent contributory pension scheme for your financial future
• Salary sacrifice scheme for additional savings
• Subsidised sports centre membership to promote well-being
• Cycle loan scheme to encourage sustainable commuting
• Discounted bus and transit travel

In addition, you will have access to a vibrant community with social groups and sports clubs fostering an inclusive atmosphere.

Application process :

• Click the link to ‘Apply’ and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be taken to our online Applicant portal.
• Applications should consist of a full CV and a letter of application in your own words, in PDF format (maximum of 2 pages; no AI-written applications, please) outlining your motivations to apply for this role, your relevant experience and how you meet the criteria of the person specification.

Only applications received before 12.00 noon on Monday 19 January 2026 can be considered.

Interviews are currently scheduled to take place on Tuesday 27 January 2026, in person in Oxford.

Development and Alumni Engagement is committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills and experiences. We encourage applicants from all sectors of the community and are especially keen to encourage candidates from under-represented groups to apply.