Current Opportunities - University of Southampton

Development Manager - Trusts, Foundations and Corporates

At the University of Southampton, our aim is to change the world for the better, bringing together academic research, creativity and knowledge to have a truly collaborative and ground-breaking impact. We care about the challenges that humanity is facing, and work to support others on a local and global scale.

In the Office of Development & Alumni Relations (ODAR), our job is to galvanise our community to solve these challenges and make a difference. Would you like this to be your job too?

About the role

This important position is responsible for raising significant philanthropic income to help advance the University. Building personal and rewarding partnerships with charitable trusts, foundations and companies, this position is crucial in connecting donors with Southampton’s fantastic research and education. Working amongst world-leading researchers and managing a varied portfolio of philanthropic organisations, you will get to see life-changing impact in action.

Based in the Development Team, you will work alongside brilliant fundraisers who share years of experience but are eager to learn from the expertise and perspective of others. Our current fundraising priorities cover an innovative student scholarship programme and cutting-edge medical research. Exciting times are ahead as we plan our new campaign, which will introduce new projects and ensure this is a varied, enjoyable and rewarding role.

About you

You will be a confident, engaging and enthusiastic fundraiser, motivated by the impact of philanthropy. You will have demonstrable experience of securing 5/6-figure+ gifts from charitable trusts, foundations or companies and will recognise the bespoke approach required to engage with each organisation. You will be an excellent writer, with expertise in creating compelling proposals and funding applications, as well as personalised stewardship communications. With a desire to enable interesting opportunities to connect with, cultivate and steward your donors, you will be tenacious and creative in attracting new fundraising leads, ensuring ongoing philanthropic support for the University.

About Us

We are planning our first University-wide fundraising and engagement campaign. Together, we want to raise more money and engage more alumni and friends with Southampton so that we can change the world. With the full support and investment of University leadership, we have been growing our team.

We need people with intellectual curiosity and people with different ideas. We need people with direct experience or transferable skills and the interest/drive to take on a new challenge. We are actively determined to welcome a diverse group of colleagues into our inclusive team. Every day will be different; you will meet incredible people and the rewards will be huge.

Imagine fundraising for medical technologies that could cure cancer or dementia. Or seeing the look on a student’s face when they learn they will be the first in their family to attend University – because of a scholarship that you secured. That could be you.

This could be a career-defining and remarkable opportunity. Help us change the world. Join us.

Thank you for your interest

To learn more about working in our team, visit our Join ODAR website. To have an informal chat about this role, please contact Emma Smart, Senior Development Manager, on 023 8059 363 or E.Smart@soton.ac.uk. Please do contact us to discuss the role if you feel you don’t meet all of the selection criteria.

Apply

Alumni and Supporter Engagement Officer (1 year Fixed Term Contract)

Are you experienced in building long and lasting relationships?

Do you love engaging with people from different backgrounds and cultures?

Would you relish the opportunity to help build and develop an exciting global alumni and supporter engagement programme, to help build lifelong relationships between our international alumni and their University?

As Alumni and Supporter Engagement Officer in the Office of Development & Alumni Relations, you’ll help to build and manage an exciting global alumni engagement programme, engaging our international alumni and supporters including notable alumni, giving them the opportunity to support a wide range of University priorities – from recruiting more students, supporting our overseas campuses and improving graduate employability, to raising the profile of the University internationally.

Who are we?

At the University of Southampton, our aim is to change the world for the better, bringing together realms of academic research, creativity and knowledge to have a truly collaborative, immersive and ground-breaking impact. We care about the challenges that humanity is facing, and work to support others on a local and global scale.

The Office of Development & Alumni Relations (ODAR) plays a vital role in this mission, bringing together passionate professionals to foster meaningful connections with our alumni and supporters. Every day is different, offering opportunities to meet inspiring people and contribute to life-changing initiatives.

What will you be doing?

Fostering mutually beneficial relationships with individual and groups of alumni and supporters including notable alumni, around the world using a range of channels, including email, social media and LinkedIn
Working with colleagues across the University and at our overseas to identify and develop opportunities to engage and involve international alumni and supporters in supporting University priorities
Managing our global alumni networks and chapters, including working with network leads and volunteers to engage members and host meet up events
Working with colleagues to share information about our global notable alumni
Maintaining up to date and detailed records of volunteering activity on the Alumni CRM system

What are we looking for?

Excellent relationship building and networking skills
Ability to work independently and a desire to be innovative and proactive
Ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures
Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal
Strong administrative skills and excellent attention to detail
Experience of developing and delivering activities and projects
Ability to travel internationally on occasion (e.g. up to two international trips per year)
Able to start no later than the first week in March

What can we offer you?

We recognise that our staff are at the heart of what we do so we have a generous benefits package.

Our hybrid working approach helps you with your work life balance and offers you the chance to split your time between office and home working.

A chance to be part of something extraordinary. Help us connect, inspire, and make a lasting impact. Join us and help change the world.

To learn more about working in the ODAR team, visit our Join ODAR website. If you’d like to have an informal chat about the role, please contact Naomi Irving, Alumni and Supporter Engagement Manager (International and Notables) – n.irving@soton.ac.uk.

Apply

Events Officer (Alumni & Corporate Events Team) - 1 year - Fixed Term Contract

About Us

Why join us?

Imagine supporting events that raise funds for revolutionary medical technologies. Joining us means being part of a supportive, inclusive team where your ideas and skills can thrive.

We’re looking for someone with;

Experience of delivering events from start through to finish, within a varied programme.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Naturally creative with an ability to propose and design material for use in promotion of events.
Exceptional organisational abilities and keen attention to detail.
A proactive, independent mindset with a flair for innovation.

About the role:

Reporting to an Event Manager, the ideal candidate will be self-motivated, have a passion for delivering high quality events, be highly organised and creative.

You would be involved in delivering an annual programme of events – designed to develop and strengthen relationships with university alumni and supporters.

In this role, you will:

Support delivery of both in-person and online events.
Grow our social media channels, analyse data, and be part of development of event communications and web pages.
Work collaboratively with internal teams and external suppliers, ensuring every event is a success.

What we offer:
We recognise that our staff are at the heart of what we do so we have a generous benefits package.

Our hybrid working approach helps you with your work life balance and offers you the chance to split your time between office and home working.

A chance to be part of something extraordinary. Help us connect, inspire, and make a lasting impact. Join us and help change the world.

Apply now and take the next step in your career.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team

To learn more about working in the ODAR team, visit our Join ODAR website. If you’d like to have an informal chat about these roles or if you don’t feel you meet all of the selection criteria, please contact Stevie Rustell, Events Manager on s.rustell@soton.ac.uk.

Apply

Please talk to us at JoinODAR@soton.ac.uk if you don’t quite meet all of the essential criteria but feel enthusiastic and want to know more about the role – contact details for each position are provided. We value applicants for the skills they bring beyond a job description and we look forward to learning more about you and the unique experiences you bring to our team.