Job Title: Development Officer (Stewardship and Events) Grade: 6 Salary: 26,829-31,076 Department: Development and Alumni Relations Office Contract: Permanent Job Reference: CSE01656 Role Purpose: You will build and develop relationships with alumni, key donors, volunteers and supporters through a comprehensive programme of events, communications and recognition activity, designed to enhance our fundraising efforts and to nurture supporter involvement in both financial and nonfinancial ways. In addition, you will work closely with the Deputy Director of Development and other members of the Development and Alumni Relations Team and other appropriate departments within the University to research, develop and implement a wide-ranging events and stewardship programme including the engagement, cultivation and stewardship of current and prospective supporters. The Development Officer will help to maximise philanthropic income from major donors in support of the University s strategic priorities and build long-term supporter loyalty and a broad and committed advocacy network for the University. Key criteria for success: In the first 12 months the successful candidate will have: Become an established and respected member of the Development Team and have gained credibility through excellent stewardship practice and by successfully meeting their philanthropic income, event, programmatic and communications targets for 2015/16 Assisted in devising the stewardship plan and key objectives for 2016-2017 Successfully managed c.10 stewardship events in the first year Successfully implemented stewardship communications and events plans Actively assisted in the delivery of major fundraising Appeals and helped to create appropriate stewardship activities for priority fundraising projects Developed appropriate professional relationships with all key constituencies in the University i.e. senior management, Divisional and academic staff and Strategic Fundraising Committee and advisors Version Number: 1 Page 1 of 6 Date of Issue: 07/11/2016
Principal Responsibilities 1. Planning and Strategy Assist the Deputy Director of Development in formulating stewardship plans and key team objectives involving liaison with colleagues, academics, Colleges and external volunteers as appropriate. Manage and implement stewardship plans for assigned University priority appeals and projects and formulate stewardship proposals for donors and prospects in a timely way and in accordance with the University s Ethical Policy and Guidelines for the Acceptance and Refusal of Donations. 2. Development and Implementation of Stewardship Programme Devise and deliver a programme of Donor stewardship and activity with the Annual Fund and the Major Gifts team. Review DARO practice, devise and deliver stewardship plans and proposals for ensuring a seamless and valuable donor journey through stewardship best practice with the aim of retaining and re-cultivating donors and securing new and repeat gifts. Plan and deliver key stewardship and fundraising events such as the annual Benefactors Reception, New Appeal Launches and other events which present a good opportunity for furthering DARO stewardship practice and achieving fundraising targets. Plan and prioritise own work activities for the year ahead to ensure operational efficiency, responding to new opportunities and priorities, including those arising from non-standard work. Highlight trends and make recommendations of new and/ or innovative stewardship activities to the Deputy Director of Development. Keep abreast of developments, opportunities and trends in fundraising practice through professional network groups and represent the University. Deliver DARO stewardship and recognition activities across all donor levels and types (mainly communications and events) and how these play an active role in supporting the donor lifecycle journey. Review stewardship framework (operations plan/ matrix) on an ongoing basis, providing information on the appropriate level of stewardship that should be provided to donors at each gift level and of each type, from Annual Fund to Major Gifts. Establish and implement clear and consistent processes and procedures for the stewardship of donors at each gift level and of each type, from Annual Fund to Major Gifts. Identify, liaise and engage with key stakeholders across the University (Colleges, Departments and Schools) to encourage an active role in donor cultivation and stewardship and to help create a culture that recognises the strategic importance of stewardship and donor relations as a University-wide collaborative activity. Working with the Annual Fund and Major Gifts teams, and in accordance with agreed framework of stewardship activities, produce key stewardship communications (mainly print and digital), provide guidance and contribute to the overall department communications plan. Version Number: 1 Page 2 of 6 Date of Issue: 07/11/2016
Track gift use to ensure income received by Colleges, Departments and Schools is spent in a timely manner and in accordance with the intent if the donor. 3. Finance and Resource Management Assist the Deputy Director in managing operating plans and budgets by providing reports on performance, projects, and appeals with reference to KPI s, targets, and variances. Manage cost-effective project and event budgets and be responsible for cost control in order to achieve a profitable return on investment. Take joint responsibility as a member of the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) for the growth of voluntary income, support and awareness of the University and the delivery of the Fundraising and Alumni Plan and fundraising targets, within the departmental budget. 4. Working with the Strategic Fundraising Committee and Lead Fundraising Volunteers Support lead volunteers and champions in the stewardship of donors including advising them of stewardship opportunities, drafting letters and preparing proposals and communications. Provide reports for the Deputy Director for meetings of the Strategic Fundraising Committee as required. 5. Analysis, Reporting and Database Management Maintain donor and prospect records on the RE database, in paper files and electronically on the shared drive, capturing and sharing relevant donor and prospect information. Ensure compliance with University policies and procedures including the University s Ethical Policy and Guidelines for the Acceptance and Refusal of Donations. Promote stewardship best practice and keep abreast of fundraising and HE changes and developments through relevant continuing professional development. 6. Liaison and Cross Team / Divisional Working Liaise, communicate and build relationships with the Colleges, Departments and Schools, and recipients of Scholarships and Hardship Award funding to nurture their awareness, support and active participation in the delivery of the stewardship programme. Liaise with Colleges, Departments and Schools to track gift use and ensure any income they receive is spent in a timely manner and in accordance with the intent if the donor. Actively participate in Departmental Team meetings and develop good working relationships with other University Departments to assist in the delivery of the stewardship programme. Participate in University wide project/ working groups as requested by the Deputy Director of Development or other senior members of DARO to represent the Department and inform and influence decisions made. Represent the University by assisting at DARO and relevant events, during evenings and weekends throughout the year. Version Number: 1 Page 3 of 6 Date of Issue: 07/11/2016
Internal and External Relationships Internal Deputy Director of Development (daily as line manager) Director of Development (regular contact in relation to donors, prospects, appeals and Strategic Fundraising Committee) Assistant Director of Development (regular contact regarding Trusts and Foundations and Alumni engagement) Strategic Fundraising Committee members (Regular cultivation and solicitation of major donors) VC s Office ( Monthly liaison concerning events) Alumni Relations Officer / Development Manager/Team Assistant (daily as team colleagues) Finance (As required monitoring and reconciliation of event income) External Build and maintain relationships with major donors and influential supporters, philanthropic bodies and wealth management intermediaries to secure and maintain support for the University Supporters and Alumni (Daily responding to enquiries or response to mailings etc.) Represent University externally through promotion of current campaigns, making presentations Institute of Fundraising and CASE Industry membership bodies ( Monthly - Information and Training) Fundraising Agencies and Consultancies (As required contracting for services, advice and information) Planning and Organising The Stewardship and Events Development Officer will be required to have a good understanding of the stewardship function and enjoy organising and delivering stewardship events, communications and activities and working closely with donors and supporters. They will be comfortable receiving direction but also able to work on their own initiative and make effective use of their time and resources in order to get the job done as efficiently as possible. Responsibilities will include; Planning and implementing an effective stewardship programme Planning and implementing stewardship events and activities on and off campus Producing appropriate briefings and reports Producing key stewardship communications Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Essential A first degree or equivalent and significant on the job stewardship or related event management experience at a comparable level* Experience of working in a University Development Office or a similar environment such as a Charity fundraising department* Version Number: 1 Page 4 of 6 Date of Issue: 07/11/2016
A good working knowledge of the theoretical principles of high level stewardship and hands on experience of planning and executing an effective programme of stewardship* Experience of stewarding one-to-one relationships with high net worth individuals Desirable Experience of major event management Alumni Relations Working with a Strategic Fundraising Committee Skills, Abilities and Competencies Essential Naturally confident and composed in 1 to 1 and group meetings with people who hold senior positions, leadership and influential roles Ability to build trust and work effectively with major donors, leading alumni and academic staff and Strategic Fundraising Committee members* Excellent social and listening skills and ability to communicate persuasively and effectively, both in writing and orally Ability to own a high level stewardship programme Excellent organisational skills with the ability to look ahead of the present to act on future needs and opportunities* Ability to manage a range of projects and deadlines whilst maintaining high standards of donor and supporter care and accuracy Flexible, donor service approach with a focus on discovering and acting on supporters needs Self-motivated, with the ability to show initiative and organise and prioritise own workload and think through solutions to problems independently Desirable Personable with a good sense of humour and a positive can do attitude Determined, persistent and resilient Good degree of ICT literacy with proficiency in all aspects of Microsoft Office and the ability to use relationship-based databases such as Raiser s Edge *Criteria to be used in shortlisting candidates for interview Version Number: 1 Page 5 of 6 Date of Issue: 07/11/2016
Equality and Diversity: The University of Leicester is committed to positively advancing equality of opportunity. We participate in a number of equalities initiatives which celebrate good employment practice for the advancement of diversity and equality. These include the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, the Race Equality Charter and Athena Swan (for which we are currently Bronze award holders). We are proud to be selected as one of only ten Universities internationally to be an impact champion for HeForShe, a global solidarity movement for gender equality. We also have a number of staff equality fora who champion the advancement of equalities for diverse groups. To find out more please visit the Equalities webpage. Staff Benefits 24 days annual leave plus 6 closure days plus bank holidays Pension Discounted gym membership Childcare voucher schemes Version Number: 1 Page 6 of 6 Date of Issue: 07/11/2016