University of Reading Campaigns and Supporter Engagement Office. Candidate Information LIMITLESS POTENTIAL LIMITLESS AMBITION LIMITLESS IMPACT

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1 University of Reading Campaigns and Supporter Engagement Office Candidate Information

2 Page 2 The University of Reading About Us The University of Reading is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world. We are a global university that enjoys a world-class reputation for teaching, research and enterprise. The University was established in 1892, received its Royal Charter in 1926, and has developed into a leading force in British and international higher education. We deliver a world-class student experience, research-led teaching and our graduate employability record is excellent. The numbers of our students going on to higher level study is well above the national average. The University continues to evolve, reflecting an ever-changing world, which drives the development of our areas of research excellence and strength. We are leading the way in multidisciplinary work in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, housed in a new 17 million centre, for example. We are committed to maintaining a supportive, challenging and high-quality experience for students and staff alike and to preserving the heritage and beauty of some of the most beautiful university campuses in the UK. Our vision A vibrant, thriving, sustainable, global and broad-based institution, responsive to, stimulated by and informing changes in the world around us marks our centenary as an independent university with its own charter. That year provides an appropriate focal point as we plan for the future. Our vision for 2026 is that the University of Reading will be a vibrant, thriving, sustainable, global and broad-based institution, responsive to, stimulated by and informing changes in the world around us. As a result, we will also be significantly larger in terms of students, global reach and presence, and revenue.

3 Page 3 Our ambition, now and towards 2026, is to enhance our standing as a leader in research and higher education that defines and responds to the needs of individuals and societies, and, by so doing, to be counted among the very best universities in the UK and internationally. We will articulate that ambition through the LIMITLESS concept. This reflects our mind-set: optimistic, forward-looking and open to new possibilities. For prospective students and staff, it will capture an aspirational outlook and a commitment to ground-breaking teaching and research. Our strategy Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Bell Our strategy in the period to 2026 will be to: develop our distinctive identity as a leader in innovative and impactful research and higher education transform what we offer, in the light of our distinctive identity and our understanding of 21st century needs manage ourselves more effectively to ensure that we understand and deliver on our commitments foster a culture of strategic thinking and continuous challenge and renewal to ensure that we remain alert and responsive to changes and opportunities. We will further develop a distinctive identity through promoting and extending our capabilities across three overlapping and interdependent themes: Educating for 21st Century Lives; Securing and Sustaining Societies; and Advancing Policy and Practice. Our distinctiveness will be most evident in the fusion of these three themes, which will increasingly overlap as our strategy matures.

4 Page 4 Working at Reading The Campuses Working at the University of Reading offers an exceptional opportunity to apply your skills and experience. With several Centres of Excellence and proven quality of provision, we enjoy a world-class reputation for teaching, research and enterprise. We also offer a stimulating and peaceful working environment in one of the UK's most attractive campuses. Yet the centre of Reading, with its vibrant city culture and fast transport links to Oxford, London and Heathrow, is just a short walk or ride away from our Whiteknights campus. If you prefer country pursuits the Chiltern Hills and the River Thames are close by, and our picturesque Greenlands campus is located alongside the River on the outskirts of Henley-on-Thames. Socialising The heart of university life is our Whiteknights campus. This beautiful 130 hectare park is the biggest of our four sites. Open spaces, a lake, abundant wildlife and rare trees feature in the landscape. Everything you need is here or nearby, including most academic departments and the main library. Traditional and contemporary buildings house top quality teaching and research facilities, particularly in the areas of information technology, life sciences and business. At Whiteknights you are welcome to relax at Park House, the Senior Common Room, which has a bar, lounge and dining room and hosts a lively programme of events. You can use a range of other eating places as well as the Students' Union, which is home to shops, services and a professionally staffed nursery. Sporting amenities are outstanding too, both on and off campus. You can play most indoor and outdoor sports on campus, use our well-equipped Sports Centre and enjoy watersports on the River Thames. The University's arts calendar, three specialist museums and a number of societies cater

5 Page 5 for diverse leisure and cultural interests. At Greenlands, there is also a common room, bar and sports facilities. Benefits We provide plenty of opportunity for staff to refresh their skills and learn new techniques and technologies. Our Centre for Staff Training & Development offers over 200 free workshops each year, as well as accredited teaching and management programmes. All staff are able to enrol on as many programmes as they wish. The Campaigns and Supporter Engagement Office The University has a long tradition of philanthropic support; first demonstrated by the likes of Alfred Palmer and Lady Wantage (whose namesakes you will recognise on campus) in the early 1900s when the University was founded. Today, we are fortunate to have over 6,000 donors supporting current and future generations of students at Reading, which has played a key part in enabling Reading to develop into one of the world's leading universities. The role of the Campaigns and Supporter Engagement team is to enable former students to keep in touch with the University and with each other, and to provide opportunities for alumni and others to support the University. Over 150,000 people have studied at the University of Reading and our graduates come from 180 countries. Director of Campaigns and Supporter Engagement Personal Assistant Associate Director Principal Giving Deputy Director - Campaigns & Supporter Engagement Henley Business School Alumni and Development Staff Director of Alumni and Development (Henley Business School) Head of Campaign, Strategy & Planning Head of Supporter Engagement and Alumni Relations Head of Individual Giving Head of Development Services Head of Major Giving Campaigns, Strategy & Planning Communications Senior Individual Giving Development Research Manager Major Giving Donor Relations Alumni Volunteering Individual Giving Assistant Research Major Giving Alumni Events International Alumni Leadership Giving Trusts & Foundations Data Analysis & Support Database Assistant Major Giving CASE Graduate Trainee LIMITLESS POTENTIAL Finance Assistant LIMITLESS Finance AMBITION LIMITLESS Data Input IMPACT Assistant

6 Page 6 The Campaign You will be joining the team at an exciting time as we go through a period of significant expansion in preparation for the launch of our Campaign. The University of Reading's new institutional strategy, LIMITLESS provides a clear direction and focus for our advancement efforts; now is an opportune time to begin a campaign. The quiet phase has gone well and we are in the advanced stages of planning for the public launch. The university has made significant investments in the department, including alumni relations, to support the office to reach its ambitious campaign goals.

7 Page 7 Job Description Vacancy reference: Post Title: SF13900 Grade: Grade 4 School/Department: Reports to: Responsible for: Individual Giving Assistant Campaigns and Supporter Engagement Office Senior Individual Giving N/a Purpose The Individual Giving Assistant will work on a number of projects to support fundraising within the Individual Giving Programme. The Individual Giving Programme is crucial to both the long-term success of fundraising at Reading, but also the immediate impact on beneficiaries. It raises the majority of the money for the Giving to Reading Programme, the regular giving component of the Imagine Campaign. The Individual Giving Programme encompasses all of the University s massmarket approaches, and the Individual Giving Assistant will support the acquisition and maintenance of donors up to the level of 1,000 a year. The role affords the successful applicant a broad range of experience, with the potential exposure to specific areas of interest. Fundraising initiatives will include Giving to Reading Telephone Campaigns, working on the University s Direct Mail Programme and other Regular Giving Initiatives (bespoke appeals, online fundraising and crowdfunding). The Individual Giving Assistant will play a significant part in three distinct areas within the Individual Giving Team; providing administrative support across the team, project-managing the allocation of funds raised across the University, and primary liaison for the stewardship of Individual Giving Donors. Main duties and responsibilities Working closely with other members of the Individual Giving Team to improve fundraising at the University in both the long- and short-term. First point of contact for all Giving to Reading enquiries into the Campaigns and Supporter Engagement Office. Working in conjunction with the Senior Individual Giving on the day-to-day delivery of the University s Giving to Reading telephone campaigns. To include: Assisting the administration of a team of student fundraisers including the recruitment process, weekly rotas and shift patterns, timesheets and pay.

8 Page 8 Assisting with daily administration of letters and correspondence with alumni contacted as part of the telephone campaigns. Liaising directly with alumni and donors to support them in making their donations and contacting them by telephone, or letter as appropriate to close their gift. Producing the script and other materials for the student fundraisers. Working to promote Giving to Reading across the University, and working in conjunction with the Reading University Students Union to disburse these funds. To include: Student engagement on campus in order to raise awareness of giving at an early stage. Liaising with the Student s Union and other funding stakeholders to make sure that donor views are represented. Organising transfer of funding to relevant parties. Delivering the stewardship of Individual Giving Donors with guidance, when required, from the Head of Individual Giving. To include: Sourcing stories and content for written communication (from disbursement areas above). Adapting other stewardship materials for a regular giving audience. Testing and refining the Individual Giving stewardship offer to ensure it achieves value for money and maximum impact. Creating bespoke materials for the Individual Giving Team. To include: Project sheets for Leadership Giving. Materials for legacy donors. Reports on specific case studies and appeals. Working with the Individual Giving Team to develop and test new fundraising initiatives; including but not limited to: Crowdfunding

9 Page 9 Parent & Family programme Community fundraising Other duties, as defined by the Head of Individual Giving. Working with the Senior Individual Giving and Head of Individual Giving to report and analyse on the Individual Giving Programme to test the effectiveness of current approaches and suggest improvements. Keeping Raiser s Edge (the University s alumni database) up to date. Supervision received The Individual Giving Assistant will report to the Senior Individual Giving. Supervision given This post has no supervisory responsibilities within the Campaigns and Supporter Engagement Office. However, some supervision of student fundraisers will be required during telephone campaigns. Contact Details of the departments/external organisations/bodies with whom there is frequent contact or liaison. Internal: External: All members of the Campaigns and Supporter Engagement Office. Senior Management team. Members of staff who have received funding spanning all faculties of the University. Reading University Students Union. University of Reading alumni, including current and prospective donors. Other Development s from a range of similar institutions Designers, printers, Fundraising Consultants and mailing houses Terms and conditions The Individual Giving Assistant will be required to work normal office hours whilst at the University, although significant periods of evening and weekend work may be required, for which time off in lieu will be given. This document outlines the duties required for the time being of the post to indicate the level of responsibility. It is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list and the line manager may vary duties from time to time which do not change the general character of the job or the level of responsibility entailed.

10 Page 10 Person Specification Job Title Individual Giving Assistant School/Department Campaigns & Supporter Engagement Job Title Individual Giving Assistant School/Department Campaigns & Supporter Engagement Criteria Essential Desirable Skills Required Good communication skills, both written and verbal A high level of numeracy and attention to detail The ability to pick up new skills and procedures quickly and effectively Attainment Good all-round IT skills, including all aspects of MS Office Educated to degree level or equivalent Knowledge A broad understanding of the UK Higher-Education sector A broad understanding of educational fundraising in the UK Relevant Experience Experience of a data entry or an administrative role Experience of working in the Higher Education or charity fundraising sector Experience of telephone fundraising in the Higher Education or the charity sector Experience of working with or co-ordinating a team

11 Page 11 Disposition Professionalism, tact and diplomacy Enthusiasm for fundraising and a commitment to Higher Education Enthusiastic, highly selfmotivated and ability to manage several projects at one time The ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure and to deadlines - both in a team and independently