Senior Head of Development Gardens, Libraries and Museums

CASE; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 83,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Oxford is seeking a Senior Head of Development to coordinate fundraising efforts across its Gardens, Libraries, and Museums. The role requires extensive experience in fundraising and leading teams, with a passion for philanthropy essential. Offering a competitive salary and hybrid working options, this position aims to maximize support and drive positive change through partnerships.

Benefits

Exceptional contributory pension scheme

38 days annual leave

Comprehensive childcare services

Cycle loan scheme

Discounted bus travel

Subsidised University Sports Centre membership

Membership to CASE for advancement professionals

Access to training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Substantial experience with philanthropists and trusts.
• Proven track record in fundraising.
• Experience in the cultural sector is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and lead fundraising efforts across GLAM institutions.
• Identify opportunities and design strategies for philanthropic support.
• Lead and manage a high-performing development team.

Skills

Leadership in fundraising

Collaboration

Strategy design

Job description

Senior Head of Development – Gardens, Libraries and Museums

University of Oxford

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)

The Gardens, Libraries and Museums of the University of Oxford house some of the world's most significant collections. Representing the UK’s first public museums and botanic gardens and one of Europe’s oldest libraries, our institutions house a collection of c. 32 million objects, specimens and printed items, promoting research, learning and enjoyment, and provide important places of scholarly enquiry. They serve as the front door to the wealth of knowledge and research generated at Oxford, welcoming over 3.5 million visitors each year.

A hugely exciting opportunity has arisen to play a central role in coordinating and leading our fundraising efforts across the GLAM institutions. It will require an exceptional person to build on the achievements of the past and shape the next phase of our philanthropic ambitions and outcomes.

About you

You will be confident in your ability to operate at this leadership level and have substantial experience of working with leading individual philanthropists and trusts & foundations, to deliver highly successful income generating activities. Working in close collaboration with the GLAM Directors and Curators, you will identify opportunities and design strategies that will raise our ambitions and maximise philanthropic support. Leading a high-performing GLAM development team by example, you will work collegially with fundraising colleagues across the University and manage your own portfolio of donors with ease. Success in this role will therefore require an inspirational, inclusive and collaborative fundraising leader with experience of leading and motivating teams, and an imaginative and enterprising approach to achieving outstanding results.

Experience of the cultural sector is highly 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 option
• 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 apply, please visit their website 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.