Trusts and Foundations Manager

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Trusts and Foundations Manager () 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

The Role and Department The Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) is responsible for coordinating philanthropy, alumni and supporter engagement, and advancement 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.

The Development Team within DARO is responsible for: soliciting donations from alumni, philanthropists, corporations, trusts and foundations, and other charitable bodies; stewarding major and principal 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 donors on campus; and relationship managing high level stakeholders on behalf of the University.

The Trusts and Foundations Manager role sits within the Institutional Funders Team and is responsible for supporting and advancing its activities. They will play a key 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 Trusts and Foundations Manager will take an active role in liaising with colleagues to establish funding needs, researching and cultivating funders new and old, submitting applications, administering gifts and stewarding donors.

They will collaborate with colleagues across the University in academic, college, professional services and leadership roles. They will represent the Institutional Funders Team in a positive supportive manner while balancing the need for the team to align with DARO's strategic priorities and fundraising campaign.

The Trusts and Foundations Manager will research funding opportunities and record information on DARO's Raiser's Edge database, providing a resource which can be regularly updated and interrogated as required.

They will develop and strengthen relationships with trusts and foundations by networking and making introductions to new funders where appropriate and keeping channels of communication open with existing partners. In addition to trusts and foundations, funders might include statutory funders and religious orders.

The Trusts and Foundations Manager will tailor their approach to each funder to ensure they are using the appropriate channels. They will take a lead on writing selected applications, drawing on colleagues' strengths, and be able to articulate the funding need in the context of the University's wider strategy. The value of applications may range from mid level grants to £100,000 plus. As required, they will organise and host tailored funder visits to the University, working with colleagues including senior staff and providing briefings.

They will record the outcome of applications and any feedback. Where an application is successful, they will assist with gift administration. They will encourage ongoing dialogue with funders where possible and they will maintain funder records on Raiser's Edge by recording interactions and noting any requirements for future action.

They will work collaboratively and flexibly with all colleagues in the Institutional Funders Team to maximise income for the benefit of the 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.

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.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply / Person Specification 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 criteria 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. Experience of working in a fundraising, stewardship or business development environment in a client facing role and tailoring the approach to each audience.
3. Track record of success in securing donations at over £50,000 from institutional funders.
4. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements.
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 to positively influence the University's reputation.

Skills / Abilities / Knowledge

1. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
2. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft Office and CRM systems (preferably Raiser's Edge).
3. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional development (e.g. CASE, Institute of Fundraising). . click apply for full job details