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Head of Alumni Engagement
The University of Southampton is a research‑intensive institution and a founding member of the Russell Group. Our aim is to change the world for the better through research, education and knowledge. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Within the Office of Development & Alumni Relations (ODAR), we build lifelong relationships with our global alumni and supporters, helping them stay connected to Southampton and make a difference through their time, expertise and philanthropy. If you’re excited by the idea of shaping and strengthening these communities, this role is for you.
About the role
This is an opportunity to lead a wide-ranging programme of engagement across our alumni and supporter communities. You will lead and develop a team of four, working across ODAR and the wider University to identify opportunities and deliver impactful programmes.
Your portfolio spans engagement and volunteering that advances University priorities – including student recruitment, graduate employability and philanthropy – while strengthening relationships with our international and high‑profile supporters.
A central part of the role is leading the volunteering strand of our first University‑wide fundraising and engagement campaign, the £100m Campaign for Southampton. You will also contribute to projects supporting Southampton’s brand and reputation, and international engagement in key countries such as China and India.
As a member of ODAR’s senior team, you will represent alumni and supporter engagement on cross‑University working groups and build relationships with stakeholders across the institution.
This role is offered on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of two days a week at Highfield, plus international travel typically once or twice a year.
About you
You’ll bring experience building meaningful relationships with alumni, supporters, volunteers, members or similar stakeholder groups, with a track record of delivering successful engagement programmes – ideally drawing on insight and creativity to reach diverse audiences.
An excellent communicator and relationship‑builder, you can influence and work collaboratively with people at all levels. You combine strong organisational and project‑management skills with sound judgement to turn plans into measurable outcomes. You’re also an experienced people manager who enjoys developing others.
A background in higher education, fundraising, advancement, charity, membership or another relationship‑led environment would be valuable, but transferable experience is equally welcome.
About us
ODAR has enjoyed an exciting period of growth as we prepare for the Campaign for Southampton. With backing from University leadership, we are investing in the people and programmes needed to deepen alumni and supporter engagement and deliver greater impact for Southampton.
We’re a friendly, hardworking team with a passion for making a difference, looking for colleagues with intellectual curiosity, fresh ideas and the confidence to shape something ambitious.
We welcome applicants with direct experience or transferable skills and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team where everyone can thrive.
Learn more about our team through Join ODAR, and explore the excellent staff benefits available at the University of Southampton.
Apply by uploading your CV and a cover letter of up to two sides of A4, outlining how your skills and experience meet the role’s requirements and what attracts you to the opportunity.
If the role excites you but you’re not sure you meet every criterion, please get in touch for an informal conversation by emailing Susanna Brenchley at s.brenchley@soton.ac.uk.
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 and ground-breaking impact. We care about the challenges that humanity faces, and work to support others on a global scale.
In the Office of Development & Alumni Relations (ODAR), our job is to galvanise our community to solve these challenges and to make a difference. Would you like this to be your job too?
About the role
This engaging, interesting role is responsible for raising significant philanthropic income to help advance the University. Building personal, creative and rewarding partnerships with individuals and organisations, 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 interesting and generous alumni and supporters, you will get to see truly life-changing impact in action.
You will line-manage a Development Officer colleague, encouraging their achievement and ambition. You will be based in the Development Team where you will work alongside other brilliant fundraisers who share years of experience but are equally eager to learn from the expertise and perspective of others. Your work will mostly be based in the UK but might include some international travel. Our current priorities cover an innovative medical research capital programme, a widening access student support scheme and scholarships in a broad range of pioneering research areas. There are exciting times ahead as we plan for our new campaign, ensuring this is a varied, enjoyable and rewarding role.
About you
You will be a confident and enthusiastic fundraiser, motivated by seeing the impact of philanthropy. You will have demonstrable experience of working face to face with donors on 5/6-figure+ gifts and recognise the personal and creative approach required to engage with each partner you work with. You will be an excellent writer, with expertise in creating compelling proposals and personalised stewardship communications. You will have a desire to enable interesting opportunities to connect with, cultivate and steward your donors and you will be tenacious and creative in attracting new contacts, ensuring a positive future of philanthropic support for Southampton.
About us
We are planning our first University-wide fundraising and engagement campaign, involving more alumni and supporters with Southampton so that we can change the world. With the full support and investment of University leadership, we are excited to have grown our team considerably in recent years.
We need people with intellectual curiosity and different ideas. We need people with direct experience or transferable skills and the interest and 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.
This could be a career-defining opportunity, and we want to hear from you. See Join ODAR to learn about our team and current opportunities. If you’d like to have an informal chat about this role, please contact Joanna Watts, Senior Development Manager, on 023 8059 7727 or joanna.watts@soton.ac.uk. Please contact us if you feel you don’t meet all of the selection criteria and want to discuss the role further – we would love to hear from you.
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 make ground-breaking impact. We care about the challenges that humanity is facing, and work to support others on a 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
The Legacy Manager will lead this fundraising activity, developing and delivering a strategy to increase future income from gifts in wills. We receive around £750,000 from legacies each year and over 100 alumni and supporters have confirmed they will remember Southampton in their will.
Building on this strong base, your role will be varied, encompassing all stages of the legacy journey. You will develop high quality communications to encourage our alumni to consider leaving a legacy, including direct mail campaigns and embedding legacy messaging in wider communications. You will build strong relationships with supporters considering a gift, ensuring they have the information they need for their will. You will deliver high quality stewardship for pledgers and gifts we have received, so families can see the impact of their loved one’s generosity. Finally, you will work with solicitors and executors to receive legacy gifts into the University and ensure they make a positive impact.
You’ll be supported by our ODAR team – with experts in communications, donor relations, data & analytics and major gift fundraising. You will be able to draw on this expertise to help you deliver in the role.
Gifts in wills make a huge difference at Southampton – from helping to find more effective treatments for cancer and supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This role is an opportunity to take the programme to the next level and make a real difference to people’s lives.
About you
Above all, you will be excellent with people, building lasting relationships with our alumni and supporters. You will recognise the importance of sensitivity and empathy, whilst also being a confident ambassador for the University, writing and speaking with passion about how legacy gifts make a difference. You will have experience of developing a strategy and analysing data to make informed decisions about budget and priorities. You’ll also be comfortable working with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. design agencies) to develop high-quality communications and stewardship pieces.
We are about to embark on our first University-wide fundraising and engagement campaign. With the full support and investment of our leadership, you can play a role in an exciting phase of the University’s history.
We need people with intellectual curiosity and different ideas. We need people with direct experience or transferable skills and the interest and drive to take on a new challenge. We support a flexible approach to working. We are 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.
Help us change the world. Join us.
If you’d like to have an informal chat about this role or ask any questions, please contact Emma Smart, Senior Development Manager on 02380 599363 or E.Smart@southampton.ac.uk.
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.