Description:
The University of Birmingham is seeking an Associate Director of Fundraising to play a pivotal role in maximizing fundraising potential, leading a team of expert major gift and legacy fundraisers, and delivering innovative strategies to support the Birmingham in Action campaign. The successful candidate will be responsible for securing significant philanthropic contributions, building strong relationships, and enhancing the university's fundraising impact on a national and international level.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Performance:
- Provide strategic leadership as part of the Senior Leadership Team in the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO).
- Drive the Birmingham in Action fundraising strategy to achieve key performance targets.
- Lead and manage a team of 16 fundraising professionals, providing mentorship, guidance, and development opportunities.
- Foster a high-performance culture, ensuring all team members meet their goals and uphold the values of the University.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align fundraising initiatives with the university’s overall strategy.
- Ensure fundraising operations adhere to compliance, ethical, and legal standards.
Fundraising and Relationship Development:
- Develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies to drive philanthropic income.
- Oversee donor engagement and stewardship, ensuring impactful relationships with alumni, high-net-worth individuals, and charitable funders.
- Lead and support fundraising initiatives in collaboration with senior university officials and academic leaders.
- Manage a portfolio of major donors, focusing on securing transformational gifts.
- Act as the key point of contact for major fundraising projects and campaigns.
Stakeholder Management and Strategic Collaboration:
- Represent the university at high-profile fundraising and donor events.
- Build and maintain relationships with key academic and business stakeholders.
- Engage with senior university leadership, including Heads of Colleges and executives, to align fundraising goals with institutional priorities.
- Work closely with research, finance, and business engagement teams to enhance the university’s philanthropic reach.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Proven track record in leading successful fundraising teams and securing six- and seven-figure donations.
- Strong strategic planning and leadership skills with experience in high-level stakeholder engagement.
- Expertise in philanthropy, donor relations, and tax-efficient giving strategies.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage high-profile donors and institutional partners.
- Strong financial and resource management abilities.
- Knowledge of higher education philanthropy and the UK’s charitable giving landscape.
- A degree-level qualification or extensive managerial experience in a complex organization.