University of Stirling
University of Stirling

Charity registered in Scotland SC011159


Current vacancies

Fundraising Manager

  • Full time
  • £37,999 – £45,163
  • On site: Stirling
  • Closing 23rd February 2025

The purpose of this role is to generate philanthropic income by developing and nurturing excellent relationships with donors, prospects, alumni and internal stakeholders. As the Development and Alumni Relations team, which sits within the wider Communications, Marketing and Recruitment Directorate, enters a new growth phase, this is an exciting time to join and maximise the opportunity of a renewed emphasis on our fundraising and philanthropy programme.

Reporting to the Head of Fundraising and Alumni Engagement, the post holder will initiate and maintain personal relationships with individual supporters and potential supporters, building the University’s giving programme and growing our philanthropic income. Working alongside the Head of Fundraising and Alumni Engagement and colleagues across the University, the post holder will be key in implementation of our Development Strategy, identifying and defining fundable projects that meet the University’s strategic aims before working to grow sustainable income sources to match them.

The post holder is likely to have strong experience in Individual Giving and will show outstanding communication, negotiation and diplomatic skills. They may have experience in other forms of philanthropic giving, including Trusts and Corporate giving, and/or be able to evidence their ability to meet the essential role requirements through directly transferrable skills.

Please note after the closing date, this job advert will no longer be available on the University of Stirling website; therefore, please keep a copy for your records.

Unfortunately, if you are not selected to attend an interview for this post, we are unable to provide individual feedback.

Description of Duties

Strategy and Planning

  • Working with the Head of Fundraising and Alumni Engagement, support the annual planning process to produce effective plans to achieve income targets

Management

  • Provide clear and supportive line management as required, according to future growth of the team. This would include agreeing objectives and work plans; managing performance through regular one-to-one discussions; and undertaking performance reviews in line with university policies

Fundraising

  • Manage a portfolio of prospects and supporters; prepare cultivation and solicitation plans to deliver annual income targets
  • Work with the Head of Fundraising and Alumni Engagement, senior management team and Deans of faculties to shape the Case for Support

Essential Criteria

Knowledge and Experience

  • Education to degree level, or possess a relevant professional qualification
  • Extensive relevant work experience in a similar role in fundraising, or strong evidence of directly transferrable skill
  • Demonstrable personal success in the ability to solicit, negotiate and secure major gifts from high-net-worth individuals – or ability to demonstrate similar outcomes utilising strongly transferrable skills

Skills and Attributes

  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to understand the needs and perspectives of a diverse range of individuals and produce accurate, inspiring and engaging copy
  • Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise a demanding workload in a pressurised environment
Shortlist

Alumni Relations Manager

  • Full time
  • £37,999 – £45,163
  • On site: Stirling Campus
  • Closing 23rd February 2025

The Alumni Relations Manager will successfully engage alumni to build a thriving community that provides meaningful benefit to our graduates and inspires them to give back to support the University’s strategic priorities through volunteering and philanthropy. As the team enters a new growth phase, this is an exciting time to join and maximise the opportunity of a renewed emphasis on the alumni engagement programme.

With support from the Head of Fundraising and Alumni Engagement, the post holder will develop and deliver communication and events plans that drive long lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with the Stirling alumni community, growing the number of alumni who are contactable and engaged. The role will also have operational responsibility for devising and growing an alumni volunteer programme, providing alumni and stakeholders with clearly defined opportunities to remain involved that align with the strategic needs of the institution.

The post holder will report to the Head of Fundraising and Alumni Engagement and will work with them and the Director of Development and Alumni Relations to foster a culture of cohesive alumni engagement across the institution, working collaboratively with colleagues from faculties and the wider Communications, Marketing and Recruitment Directorate, of which Development and Alumni Relations is an integral part, to achieve both directorate and institutional goals. The Alumni Relations Manager will also have direct line management responsibility of the Alumni Relations Officer, providing direction, motivation, and support to facilitate high-performing members of the team.

Description of Duties

Strategy and Planning

  • In collaboration with the Head of Fundraising and Alumni Engagement and other relevant colleagues, contribute to the development of and successfully implement a multi-year alumni relations and stakeholder engagement strategy, with day-to-day operational responsibility for planning and delivering all alumni relations communications and activities

Management

  • Provide clear and supportive line management to the Alumni Relations Officer, including agreeing objectives and work plans; managing performance through regular one-to-one discussions; and undertaking performance reviews in line with university policies

Operational

  • Liaise with and support alumni groups who wish to arrange activities and events on campus, nationally and internationally, ensuring mutual benefit

Finance & Reporting

  • Support the Head of Fundraising and Alumni Engagement to plan and monitor the alumni relations budget, ensuring activities are tailored to the available resource and the programme is managed within budget

Essential Criteria

Knowledge and Experience

  • Educated to degree level, with substantial, relevant experience in a similar role
  • Demonstrable experience of alumni relations or mass stakeholder engagement, preferably in higher education or not for profit sector

Skills and Attributes

  • Highly motivated with a positive, solutions-focused attitude, taking genuine pleasure in building relationships and working collaboratively to improve services and processes
  • Strong project management and planning capability and a proven ability to manage conflicting priorities within tight deadlines using a strategic mindset
Shortlist