Philanthropy Officer

**Job Purpose**
Contribute to the implementation of the University of Glasgow’s fundraising and alumni engagement strategies by building compelling propositions and identifying, cultivating and soliciting prospective donors with capacity to give from £10K to £1M, meeting targets for activity and revenue.

**Main duties and responsibilities**
1. Contribute to the development and execution of the University’s fundraising strategy and particularly for the programme to secure gifts of between £10K and £1M. Assist in the development of the complex action plans to deliver the strategy.
3. Lead the development of relationships with key alumni and other potential donors by managing a pool of potential donors. Devise and execute bespoke programmes of involvement and communication that lead to major gifts (e.g involvement in alumni programmes, invitations to prestigious/intimate University events, devising visits to campus and individual meetings with academic staff and University leadership).
4. Both solo, and with other staff, use professional expertise to deliver a programme of proactively meeting with potential donors to understand their interests and motivations, set them on a path to major gift support and solicit gifts in person (mostly five, but occasionally six figure gifts). The post-holder will need to represent the interests of the entire University in developing these relationships from research and teaching to widening participation, entrepreneurship and civic programmes. Conduct a target number of face to face meetings per annum.
5. In collaboration with academic colleagues, articulate convincingly the University’s priority themes and projects for philanthropic support. Develop powerful case statements, project descriptions and tailored proposals for presentation to potential major donors. Liaise with beneficiary areas to ensure the object of any proposal is properly costed and can be delivered.
6. Drawing on specialist knowledge, provide advice to prospective major donors (whether proactively engaged or approaching the University independently) on how to structure and best effect their giving intentions.
7. Negotiate gift agreements, managing donor and academic expectations to balance the donor’s intent with priorities and capacity of the beneficiary area to deliver and ensuring this is communicated appropriately to donors.
8. Using detailed knowledge, use the University’s alumni and donor database (Raiser’s Edge), to ensure relationships with potential donors are recorded and tracked so a complete record of the relationship is maintained. Analyse progress and provide relevant reports on activity.
9. Build and share thorough understanding of University priority projects for philanthropic support. The postholder may be required to become the expert on a particular project, School, College or beneficiary area and to brief fundraising and other colleagues appropriately.
10. Provide specialist advice to academic and other colleagues on individual potential donor relationships, on fundraising and alumni/donor engagement generally and on its operation at the University of Glasgow.
11. Be prepared to undertake projects appropriate to the grade of the role - including line management - but that might fall outside its direct remit as the Director, Head of Philanthropy and/or Vice Principal External Relations may advise.

**Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience**

**Knowledge/ Qualifications**

**Essential**:

A1 Either: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Certificate) or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar or number of different roles.
A2 Thorough knowledge of the principles, theory and practice of major gift fundraising including regulation (e.g. Data Protection) and legal requirements.
A3 Understanding of and belief in the importance of universities and why they merit philanthropic support.

**Desirable**:

B1 Ability to rent and drive vehicles in the UK.

**Skills**

**Essential**:

C1 Proven ability to ask for and secure donations or financial commitments in person
C2 Results oriented self starter
C3 Team player, able to both respect and work across boundaries
C4 Intellectually curious with an interest in people’s motivations and in the University’s work
C5 Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills - including active listening and the ability to build persuasive, concise, evidenced propositions
C6 Excellent time management and organisational abilities
C7 Resilient problem solving: able to withstand negative reactions and find solutions

**Experience**
Essential:

E1 Experience in a fundraising, sales o