Fundraising Relationship Manager

Our University has a proud history of philanthropy stretching back to its foundation in 1900 by Joseph Chamberlain.  Since then philanthropy has continued to play an important role in shaping the University with funds supporting life-changing research, scholarships and new facilities.  This year we launched our new campaign, Birmingham In Action, which aims to transform lives for our generation and the next by tackling some of the world’s greatest challenges.  These challenges include access to education, cancer, youth mental health, the environment (including climate change and plastic pollution) and migration.  The campaign is a truly global campaign (having launched in Birmingham, London, Hong Kong, New York and San Francisco) and aims to raise £400 million, and secure 1 million hours of volunteering, making it one of the largest campaigns in the UK Higher Education sector.

The Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) exists to support our student and research community by engaging, inspiring, and celebrating alumni, individuals, and charitable funders who give their money, time, and networks to support the University’s strategic priorities.  The Office, which is comprised of 60 staff across five teams, is focused on fundraising and volunteering from graduates, alumni and individuals who are passionate about changing lives, through funding various research trials, supporting student scholarships, mentoring students, and providing internships.

The Fundraising Relationship Manager role is your opportunity to join our excellent team at an exciting time. You will have sales experience or major gifts expertise, and will be passionate about progressing your career and understand the impact the University’s teaching and research has on the world.  Your role will be responsible for the relationship management of a portfolio of prospective and existing donors. You will seek to gain knowledge and understanding of the giving preferences of these audiences, and work to help the University to develop a philanthropic offer that meets their interests. All activities will be delivered in close collaboration with DARO colleagues as well as other parts of the University. 

As part of an award winning team and led by some of the most respected names in higher education fundraising, you will work with our current Fundraising Relationship Managers to generate gifts to the University and encourage new donors to make long-term, sustainable and significant (5 and 6-figure) gifts. Your objectives and KPIs will be set by the Head of Philanthropy. You will also have the opportunity to work with our senior team on major proposals to top donors enabling you to get experience of working with some of the most successful and experienced major gift fundraisers in the UK Higher Education sector.