Job Description

Faculty/Department Development & Alumni Relations
Salary Scale 25,742 - 28,759 per annum
Contract Type Permanent
Full-time / Part-time Full-Time
Weekly Hours 36.5
Employment Visa Non-sponsorable
Posted Date 05/08/2025
Closing Date 24/08/2025
Ref No 5778




The Role

What you'll do

Who you are - Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required

How to apply

Benefits

Employment Visa



The Role



The Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) is responsible for coordinating philanthropy, alumni and supporter engagement, and alumni communications on behalf of the University. DARO works with academic departments, research centres and institutes and professional departments to engage over 100,000 alumni and supporters around the world.



This new role is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to initiate or develop a career in the fundraising sector with the support and guidance of the DARO office, as we aim to build a stronger global alumni community, through fundraising, volunteering, and engagement.



Reporting to the Philanthropy Manager, the post-holder will support the delivery of integrated plans to increase the number of individuals choosing to donate to the university at the 1-10k+ level. They will build relationships with a portfolio of alumni community members, as well as overseeing a programme of donor engagement and stewardship through the Vice Chancellor's Giving Circle, to increase the number and value of gifts received to the university.



The post-holder will be a personable, proactive and highly organised individual with a genuine interest in fundraising and a knack for relationship building at all levels.



The role would suit an individual who has experience working in a fast paced and target-orientated environments with transferable skills from sectors such as communications, events, marketing, stakeholder engagement, campaigning, sales, business development, public relations, human resources or customer service.



To make an informal enquiry, please contact Lyndsey Stokes, Director of Development and Alumni Relations at lyr6@aber.ac.uk.



Appointments are normally made within 4 - 8 weeks of the closing date.



What you'll do



This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.


Manage a portfolio of individuals capable of giving 1-10k+ to the university, maintaining relationships, producing prospect management plans for each individual and developing clear strategies to cultivate relationships and secure philanthropic support. To lead the administration and stewardship activities associated with the Vice Chancellor's Giving Circle, including identifying opportunities to uplift gifts from members. Work closely with senior staff members to bring prospective donors to the point where they can be solicited for a leadership gift. To secure four and five figure philanthropic donations on behalf of the university. To work with colleagues in the Philanthropy Team to identify prospective legators. To develop and present compelling and creative proposals through face-to-face meetings within the UK, presentations and fundraising events and written publications. To liaise with academic and services departments and students to negotiate, secure and support their support of relationship and fundraising plans. To provide briefs to the Managers and Director on individual donors to support their relationship and fundraising plans for key alumni. To draft correspondence to donors and prospects for the Manager and Director and for other senior staff including the Vice-Chancellor. To respond to postal, email and telephone enquiries from donors and prospective donors and process these efficiently to the highest standards of donor care and in ways that enhance fundraising relationships and affinity. To establish creative, motivating and cost-effective ways of thanking and recognising the contribution of leadership donors to the University and of stewarding the department's relationship with them. To ensure that gift income is accurately accounted for and reconciled with the Development Services team and that it is spent in accordance with donor's wishes and in accordance with charity law. To undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post. To be committed to the University's Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post. To be committed to your own development and that of your staff through the effective use of the University's Effective Contribution Scheme. Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.


Who you are - Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required

Essential

1. Previous experience of working in a fundraising or other target orientated environment, such as communications, events, marketing, stakeholder engagement, project management, campaigning, sales, business development, public relations, human resources, customer service or other similar roles.

2. Experience of undertaking face-to-face meetings with high profile stakeholders.

3. Experience of achieving set financial / non-financial targets.

4. Knowledge of Data protection and Fundraising Code of Conduct.


5. Outstanding communication skills with compelling verbal and written ability; able to tailor written and verbal content and style to a range of audiences.

6. Very strong influencing and relationship building skills, must be an excellent and proficient communicator.


7. Ability to prioritise, work flexibly and to manage multiple priorities, with challenging deadlines.

8. Ability to quickly inspire trust and confidence though high levels of personal effectiveness, persuasiveness, sensitivity, judgment, tact and discretion and tailored communications.

9. Ability to regularly travel in the UK and Internationally and attend activities outside office hours.

10. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level B2*.

Desirable

11. Fundraising or project management qualification

12. Experience in a Higher Education setting

13. Experience of assisting in the planning and delivery of donor stewardship activities.

14. Knowledge of the principles of leadership / major gifts fundraising including trusts, events, and individual giving.

15. Knowledge of Raisers Edge relational database

16. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level C1*


More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:


https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hr/policy-and-procedure/welsh-standards/



How to apply



To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements.



Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.



Benefits


Flexible working policy 36.5 - hour week for full-time roles Generous leave entitlements - 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days Commitment to Professional Development Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes Staff recognition and reward schemes Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free Staff relocation bursary Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.
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We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities and, those that are currently underrepresented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates.



We are a Bilingual Institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.



Employment Visa



Under the UK Government's points-based system scheme, this role does not meet the criteria to be sponsored by Aberystwyth University (AU) for a Skilled Worker Route (SWR) application.