Senior Development Executive - MPLS

CASE; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days annual leave

Hybrid and flexible working options

Contributory pension scheme

Cycle and season-ticket schemes

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Oxford invites applications for a Senior Development Executive to join the MPLS Development team in Oxford, with hybrid working options. You will manage donor relationships and secure philanthropic support.

You will work with senior academics and leaders to translate scientific priorities into funding opportunities, cultivating a portfolio of 80–100 donors, including six- and seven-figure gifts.

Qualifications

• Proven fundraising experience, including direct involvement in securing six- and/or seven-figure major gifts.
• Experience building relationships with major donors and managing a substantial donor pipeline.
• Ability to develop effective cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and subject-matter experts.
• Outstanding communication skills and diplomacy to engage donors and academics.
• Genuine interest in science, research, and MPLS work.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 80–100 donors and prospective donors.
• Develop thoughtful cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies to build lasting philanthropic relationships.
• Translate ambitious scientific priorities into compelling opportunities for philanthropy.
• Build relationships with high-net-worth individuals and other funders, with six- to seven-figure gift potential.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Donor relationship management

Major gifts fundraising

Cultivation & stewardship

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication skills

Interest in science/research

Job description

Title: Senior Development Executive - MPLS
Location: Development and Alumni Engagement, Oxford, with hybrid working options
Salary: Grade 8, £49,119 – £58,265 per annum, with possible extension to £63,489 including an Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year (pro rata).

Advert text

What if your next major gift could help accelerate research that changes the world?

The University of Oxford has entered an exciting period of growth in its philanthropic ambitions through the Oxford Excellence campaign. We are expanding our Development and Alumni Engagement team to help connect visionary donors with the research, people and ideas capable of addressing some of the world’s most significant challenges.

We are looking for a Senior Development Executive to join our Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Development team.

Location: Oxford, with hybrid working options

Salary: £49,119 – £58,265 per annum, with possible extension to £63,489 including an Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year (pro rata).

Contract: Permanent, full time

About Us

Spanning the historic streets of the "city of dreaming spires", the University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence.

Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE) builds enduring relationships with alumni, philanthropists, foundations, corporations and other partners to secure support for Oxford's academic priorities.

What We Offer

Working at the University of Oxford offers a range of benefits, including:

• 38 days of annual leave, inclusive of public holidays, with options to purchase additional leave.
• One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• An excellent contributory pension scheme.
• Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including cycle and season-ticket schemes.
• Access to Oxford's extensive social, cultural and sporting community.
• Excellent opportunities for professional development within an experienced and collaborative fundraising environment.
  

About the Role

As Senior Development Executive, you will manage a portfolio of approximately 80–100 donors and prospective donors, developing thoughtful cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies that build lasting philanthropic relationships.

Working closely with senior academics, University leaders and development colleagues, you will translate ambitious scientific priorities into compelling opportunities for philanthropy. You will build relationships with high-net-worth individuals and other prospective funders, with opportunities to personally solicit gifts at the six- and seven-figure level.

This highly relational role calls for judgement, curiosity and first-class communication. You will become a trusted partner to donors and colleagues, helping secure significant philanthropic investment in Oxford’s Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences.

About You

You will bring:

• Proven fundraising experience, including direct involvement in securing six- and/or seven-figure major gifts
• Experience building relationships with major donors and managing a substantial donor pipeline
• The ability to develop effective cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies
• Experience working collaboratively with senior stakeholders and subject-matter experts
• Outstanding communication skills and the confidence and diplomacy to engage donors, academics and senior leaders
• A genuine interest in science, research and the work of MPLS
  

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday, 14 October 2026.

Interviews will take place in the week commencing Monday, 19 October 2026 and will be held face-to-face.

Join us at an important moment for philanthropy at Oxford and help turn ambitious ideas into opportunities for lasting global impact.