Senior Development Manager (Colleges and WSE)
- Durham University
- Feb 22, 2026
Full time
Education
Job Description
Senior Development Manager (Colleges and WSE) Job Number:
Development and Alumni Relations
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Working Arrangements: Hybrid arrangements in place, flexible hours may be required on occasion to deliver key activities and maintain relationships.
Closing Date 12-Mar-2026, 11:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.
We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so, and where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on
The Role and Department The Development and Alumni Relations Office is responsible for co-ordinating philanthropy, alumni and supporter engagement, advancement services, and supporter communications on behalf of the University. DARO works with colleges, academic departments, research centres and institutes, wider student experience partners, and professional departments to engage over 200,000 alumni and supporters around the world. We contribute to the enhancement of Durham University's reputation as globally outstanding, inclusive, and forward-looking. We are an ambitious and committed team with a collaborative and collegiate culture.
The Development Team within DARO is ultimately responsible for: soliciting donations from alumni, philanthropists, corporations, trusts and foundations and other charitable bodies; stewarding donors through reports, presentations, events and face-to-face meetings; meeting with gift beneficiaries to collate and produce gift impact reporting materials; hosting and devising engagement opportunities for existing and prospective benefactors on campus; and managing relationships with high-level stakeholders on behalf of the University.
Senior Development Managers are primarily responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding principal/major donations of £100K - £1M+. In this role, you will manage a portfolio of some of the University's most senior benefactors and advocates, working closely with senior colleagues across the University but with a particular focus on our colleges and wider student experience activity. Your portfolio will primarily comprise individual donors, but may also include trusts and foundations, legacy and planned giving prospects, corporate donors/sponsors, and other philanthropic organisations.
The Senior Development Manager will play a critical role in the delivery of Durham's bicentenary Campaign. The Campaign is a major philanthropic initiative centred on the University's 200th anniversary in 2032, seeking to create a step-change in philanthropic giving to Durham.
The post-holder must be versatile and able to work closely and with senior alumni, University leaders, prominent and public figures, the trustees of regional, national and global funding bodies, major benefactors and advocates, in multiple capacities which facilitate the development of principal/major donations and the advancement of Durham University.
The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House - Durham University.
Working at Durham
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
Person Specification - What you need to demonstrate when you apply When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criterion has an asterisk next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Qualifications/Experience
1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2. Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence events and activities within the organisation.
3. Experience of working in a fundraising, stewardship or business development environment in a client-facing role.
4. Experience of securing significant gifts (six-figure plus) from individual donors
5. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
6. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University's reputation.
7. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.
8. Track record of management and development experience and/or an enhanced management qualification applied across a large service team or teams.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
9. Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
10. The ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
11. Excellent working knowledge of the philanthropic landscape as it relates to the Higher Education sector.
12. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft Office and CRM systems (preferably Raiser's Edge).
13. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition, e.g. CASE, Institute of Fundraising.
14. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, including GDPR.
15. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
16. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria . click apply for full job details
Development and Alumni Relations
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Working Arrangements: Hybrid arrangements in place, flexible hours may be required on occasion to deliver key activities and maintain relationships.
Closing Date 12-Mar-2026, 11:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.
We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so, and where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on
The Role and Department The Development and Alumni Relations Office is responsible for co-ordinating philanthropy, alumni and supporter engagement, advancement services, and supporter communications on behalf of the University. DARO works with colleges, academic departments, research centres and institutes, wider student experience partners, and professional departments to engage over 200,000 alumni and supporters around the world. We contribute to the enhancement of Durham University's reputation as globally outstanding, inclusive, and forward-looking. We are an ambitious and committed team with a collaborative and collegiate culture.
The Development Team within DARO is ultimately responsible for: soliciting donations from alumni, philanthropists, corporations, trusts and foundations and other charitable bodies; stewarding donors through reports, presentations, events and face-to-face meetings; meeting with gift beneficiaries to collate and produce gift impact reporting materials; hosting and devising engagement opportunities for existing and prospective benefactors on campus; and managing relationships with high-level stakeholders on behalf of the University.
Senior Development Managers are primarily responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding principal/major donations of £100K - £1M+. In this role, you will manage a portfolio of some of the University's most senior benefactors and advocates, working closely with senior colleagues across the University but with a particular focus on our colleges and wider student experience activity. Your portfolio will primarily comprise individual donors, but may also include trusts and foundations, legacy and planned giving prospects, corporate donors/sponsors, and other philanthropic organisations.
The Senior Development Manager will play a critical role in the delivery of Durham's bicentenary Campaign. The Campaign is a major philanthropic initiative centred on the University's 200th anniversary in 2032, seeking to create a step-change in philanthropic giving to Durham.
The post-holder must be versatile and able to work closely and with senior alumni, University leaders, prominent and public figures, the trustees of regional, national and global funding bodies, major benefactors and advocates, in multiple capacities which facilitate the development of principal/major donations and the advancement of Durham University.
The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House - Durham University.
Working at Durham
- You'll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
- We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
- We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- We provide wide ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24 7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Our on site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5 16.
- Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
- You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
- Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
- If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
Person Specification - What you need to demonstrate when you apply When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criterion has an asterisk next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Qualifications/Experience
1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2. Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence events and activities within the organisation.
3. Experience of working in a fundraising, stewardship or business development environment in a client-facing role.
4. Experience of securing significant gifts (six-figure plus) from individual donors
5. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
6. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University's reputation.
7. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.
8. Track record of management and development experience and/or an enhanced management qualification applied across a large service team or teams.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
9. Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
10. The ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
11. Excellent working knowledge of the philanthropic landscape as it relates to the Higher Education sector.
12. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft Office and CRM systems (preferably Raiser's Edge).
13. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition, e.g. CASE, Institute of Fundraising.
14. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, including GDPR.
15. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
16. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria . click apply for full job details
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