Fundraising Relationship Officer

We are an ambitious and successful research-intensive University (one of the top 100 research-led universities globally) and have produced 10 Nobel Prize winners, including three who received their awards in 2016. Academics here are tackling some of the world’s most pressing global challenges such as: antibody testing and Covid-19, the impact of climate change on our woodlands and forests, issues caused by migration and displacement, the rise in youth mental health issues, and the prevention of needless maternal deaths in the developing world. Our students come from nearly 150 countries and our flagship outreach programmes mean that almost 25% of our student population come from disadvantaged backgrounds, one of the highest proportions in the UK. 

Philanthropy has always played an important role in shaping the University, most recently in 2015 when we closed the Circles of Influence Campaign which raised £193 million, making it the largest HE fundraising campaign outside Oxbridge and London. 

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 four 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.

In 2019 we launched the Birmingham In Action campaign, which aims to transform lives for our generation and the next by tackling some of the world’s greatest challenges. The campaign is truly global (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.

We are now looking to recruit a Fundraising Relationship Officer to join us at this very exciting time. The Fundraising Relationship Officer will be responsible for the relationship management of a portfolio of around 100 prospective donors in order to raise funds for a range of key projects. They will be responsible for the entire prospect relationship management process including researching, cultivating, asking and stewarding. 

This role will play a key part in bringing in donations for our five campaign theme areas:

•  Bright Minds 
•  In Cancer Wards
•  In Our Environment
•  In Mind
•  In Global Communities

As part of an award-winning team and led by some of the most respected names in higher education fundraising, you’ll get the chance to work across the team and wider university to encourage new donors to make long-term, sustainable and significant (5 and 6-figure) gifts. You will also have the opportunity to work with our senior team on 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. 

You will be provided with a robust induction and an ongoing training program that will include support from the University as well as expert external providers.