Development Lead (Donor Relations)

United World College of South East Asia; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Singapore is seeking a Development Lead(Donor Relations) to enhance donor engagement and optimize stewardship strategies. The role involves refining recognition practices, developing event plans, and using innovative approaches such as automation and AI to improve donor experience. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in development, exceptional communication skills, and a proven ability to build lasting relationships with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of development experience, preferably in donor relations.
• Proven ability to establish and cultivate strong professional relationships.
• Strong interest in securing repeat gifts through effective stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Lead the donor relations and stewardship strategy.
• Develop recognition frameworks for the capital campaign.
• Design and execute annual fundraising event plans.

Skills

Effective communication

Relationship building

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Innovative thinking

Education

Degree from a recognised university

Tools

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system

Automation tools

Job description

UWCSEA seeks an innovative and relationship-focused Development Lead(Donor Relations) to drive transformative donor engagement, starting May 2026 or earlier.

Reporting to the Head of Development, this role leads UWCSEA’s donor relations and stewardship strategy during the quiet phase of the College’s capital campaign. The role drives personalised donor stewardship; refines existing recognition practices; develops recognition frameworks for the new Dover at Tengah Campus project; and designs high‑impact events and experiences for top stakeholders. The position suits a relationship-driven leader who maintains a strong focus on individualised donor motivations and impact. Simultaneously, the ideal candidate brings an entrepreneurial spirit to innovate stewardship using automation and AI to enhance donor experience, impact reporting, and retention.

Main Responsibilities

• Continue to develop the College’s existing stewardship programme into a best-in-class donor relations programme, including supporting the donor experience through a stewardship, recognition and retention programme that is focused on demonstrating the impact of philanthropy at UWCSEA and is appropriately differentiated across donor segments and through varied delivery mechanisms.

• Design and manage a comprehensive recognition inventory system for UWCSEA’s Shaping the Future Campaign, including the valuation, reservation, and physical installation of named spaces, plaques, and donor walls.

• Develop well‑designed, compelling and bespoke reports that convey the impact of giving to individual donors as well as our giving community at large. Engage with key College leadership, educators and scholars to monitor progress and success of donor‑funded programmes, and to obtain and share meaningful impact stories with our community.

• Develop and execute annual fundraising event plans, including annual events such as UWCSEA’s signature Dinner with Scholars and Donor Celebration Events, as well as a series of smaller bespoke events to cultivate campaign donors and support the fundraising goals of the College.

• Work closely with front line fundraising team members to develop and support the implementation of creative, bespoke stewardship plans for principle and leadership donors to the campaign, including high net worth individuals, corporations and foundations. Work in partnership with the UWCSEA Annual Fund Manager to identify and devise strategies for donors to the UWCSEA Annual Fund who can make leadership gifts to UWCSEA.

• Work with parent volunteers to support fundraising and community engagement efforts in support of the College and the activities of the UWCSEA Foundation.

• In partnership with the Gift Administrator, Database Administrator and College Finance team, ensure that programmes are administered and documented accurately; maintain accurate records of contacts with donors using the CRM system and support the continued development of CRM best practices

• Support the wider fundraising and engagement activities at UWCSEA as required.

Person Specifications

• Degree from a recognised university.

• 5+ years of development/advancement experience, with a preference for donor relations and an aptitude for frontline fundraising and relationship‑building with impact

• Demonstrated success in designing and delivering effective donor relations programmes in a nonprofit of education related organisation; results‑oriented with a passion for increasing support for the College

• A strong interest and demonstrated success in securing repeat gifts through effective donor relations and stewardship

• A proven ability to establish, cultivate and steward strong professional relationships with stakeholders to build lifelong partnerships and trust, while aligning their passions with the mission, priorities and goals of UWCSEA

• Outstanding communications skills, including the ability to write compellingly and persuasively in support of philanthropic goals and successes

• Innovative, self‑motivated, able to think strategically in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple projects well, working both independently and as a collaborative team member

• Excellent interpersonal skills in a group and individual setting; positive, enthusiastic, collaborative and a team player

• Flexible, creative, resourceful and self motivated, with a willingness to go the extra mile to meet the needs of the mission

• Excellent organisational and analytical skills; the ability to manage multiple projects effectively and maintain a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality in a team‑oriented, complex environment

• Familiarity with a customer relationship management (CRM) system, preferably in a fundraising environment

• High degree of comfort in using AI to automate and more efficiently deliver on requisite tasks

• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times respecting the confidential nature of donor information and the College’s business practices

Applications

Apply via our job portal by Monday, 26January 202623:59 Singapore Time

The UWC Mission is to make education a force to unite people, nations and culture for peace and a sustainable future. We are committed to creating a community in which all members feel safe and secure, and know that their authentic selves and individual differences are accepted with respect and care. At UWCSEA, we acknowledge that diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) is an ongoing and evolving process and strive to create and sustain a sense of belonging for all members of our community, past, present and future. All qualified applicants, including those who identify as a part of marginalised group(s) and individuals with (dis)abilities are all encouraged to apply. Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the students in our care and expects all applicants to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices and all appointments are subject to interview, satisfactory references, identity and criminal record checks.