Director of Advancement (KW12124)

Job title Director of Advancement

Department Advancement Office

Grade Competitive Package

Contract Type Full Time, Open Ended

Placed on Tuesday 08 October 2024

Closing date Wednesday 06 November 2024

Interview date To be confirmed

Reference KW12124

Applicant Visa Guidance Skilled Worker visa: guidance for applicants (bath.ac.uk)

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The University of Bath, renowned for its innovation and outstanding performance, is a leading institution with a rich history of accomplishments. Ranked 8th in the UK by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, Bath excels in research and education, attracting over 20,000 students from 153 countries.

The Director of Advancement will lead the strategic vision for philanthropy and alumni engagement at the University of Bath. Reporting to the Vice- Chancellor, the Director will drive initiatives to deepen relationships with alumni, supporters, and potential donors, while fostering a strong culture of philanthropy across the University. Key objectives include setting development priorities in alignment with the University's strategic goals, enhancing alumni engagement, and securing funding for key work such as endowment, capital, the Gold Scholarship Programme and PhD scholarships. Additionally, the Director will contribute to the University's growth and innovation through the Bath Quays North regeneration project, promoting research, entrepreneurship, and investment in the community.

As a key member of the University's leadership team, this role drives the implementation of the Strategic Plan, leading innovative fundraising, and alumni engagement initiatives. The successful candidate will spearhead University fundraising, grow annual philanthropic income, and develop new income streams to support the University's priorities. They will manage a personal portfolio of principal donors, advise senior leaders, and represent the University in donor engagements. Overseeing a team of approximately 35, this leader will ensure excellence in alumni relations and advancement services, develop stakeholder relationships, and align strategic programmes with the University's mission, including a commitment to sustainable and ethical fundraising.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and strategic leader with a proven track record of developing and implementing successful fundraising and alumni engagement initiatives in higher education. They should have extensive experience in establishing relationships with major and principal donors and securing impactful, transformative donations of six, seven and eight figures. A mission-focused approach to philanthropy that develops collaboration within complex institutions is essential.

You will excel in relationship-building, communication, and team leadership, demonstrating the ability to build high-performing, inclusive teams and effectively lead organisational change. With a deep understanding of higher education, they should be dedicated to advancing the mission of a large, research-focused university through innovative strategies and significant support.

The successful candidate will be line-managed by the Vice-Chancellor, reflecting the strategic importance of this role to the University.

What we can offer you:

We aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on our teams.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us @UniofBath and @UniofBathJobs on Twitter for more information.