Alumni and Development Coordinator

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.ukJob Description – Alumni and Development Coordinator (25001613)St Mary’s CollegeGrade 5 : £5,463.80 - £6,075.60, pro rata to the full‑time salary of £27,319 - £30,378 per annum.Open‑Ended / Permanent – Annualised hours (Part Time Inc Hols). Working arrangements: Annualised hours paid at an average of 7 hours per week. Some evening and weekend work may be required.Closing Date08-Dec-2025, 11:59:00 PMThe UniversityAt Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? – Information Page.The Role and the CollegeSt Mary’s College is seeking an Alumni and Development Officer to play a vital role alongside the Principal, Vice Principal and other members of the College team in increasing engagement with alumni of St. Mary’s College.St Mary’s College was founded in 1899 at the Women’s Hostel – providing the first opportunity for women to study for degrees on an equal basis to men. It became co‑educational in 2005, but the College retains its pioneering spirit. The College recently celebrated its 125th anniversary year with a series of alumni events.The College is seeking a motivated and passionate alumni and development officer to work with the Principal, Vice Principal and other members of the college community to develop alumni relations. The role will lead on alumni engagement, event management and developing and maintaining the St. Mary’s alumni databases alongside the University’s Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO). They will work alongside the Principal and DARO on alumni and supporter development with the aim of increasing the number of regular givers, upgrading existing donors, and identifying key prospects. The post holder will also support the Vice Principal in advertising and coordinating scholarships and bursaries and other development opportunities within the College. They will need to be a visible part of the daily life of the College, both on site and at events off site for alumni and other guests.Working at Durham• 27 days annual leave per year (pro‑rata) in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days.• Parking across campus, a cycle‑to‑work scheme, and discounted vouchers for local bus and train companies.• Exclusive discounts via our benefits portal, including money off at supermarkets, high‑street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and attraction days.• On‑site nursery rated Outstanding by Ofsted, plus holiday camps for children aged 5‑16.• Wide‑ranging health and wellbeing support, including discounted gym memberships and a 24‑7 Employee Assistance Programme.• Volunteer activities to make a difference to the local community.• Gen­erous pension schemes and career‑development opportunities.Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.Equality, Diversity and InclusionDurham University is committed to creating 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. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. 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 workforce, including people with disabilities, women, and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and if you feel it is relevant, let us know in your application. We are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process and will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever reasonable, with adjustments also made within the role when successful.Person Specification – What you need to demonstrate when you applyQualifications, experience and knowledge are presented below. Where a criterion has an asterisk (*) next to it, it may be given additional weighting.Grant at least five GCSEs at Grade C or level four (or equivalent), including English Language and Mathematics, or a Post‑16 qualification or equivalent experience.Experience in a similar role or environment.Experience of working collaboratively with other team members to ensure delivery of high‑quality services.Excellent spoken and written communication skills and ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps, including digital communication tools and Microsoft 365 applications.Commitment to continuing professional development.Industry or professional knowledge relevant to the role, supported by relevant courses or certification.Ability to solve problems independently and as part of a team and plan appropriate solutions.Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.Ability to contribute to operational planning activities.Demonstrable experience of working in a similar role or environment for example: alumni engagement, events management, PR, marketing or a similar customer‑facing role.Demonstrable experience of using Raiser’s Edge or other stakeholder management systems.Demonstrable experience of using social media to inform and engage stakeholders.Fundraising experience (at a regular giving or major giving level).How to ApplyTo progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria, we encourage you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria.While some criteria will be considered at the short‑listing stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.Submitting Your ApplicationWe prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process via automated emails from our e‑recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.Required submissions:• A CV• A supporting statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the person specificationContact DetailsIf you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, the Vice Principal would be happy to speak to you. Contact Kate Morrey at stmarys.viceprincipal@durham.ac.uk.Typical Role RequirementsService DeliveryShow a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.Respond to queries and provide information/advice, while raising more specialist or complex queries with more experienced team members.Use your experience and problem‑solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as relating to alumni communications, event planning, regular giving and stewardship and make recommendations based on your findings.Enhance Durham University’s reputation by providing support to the running of internal and external outreach activities.Ensure that information used to analyse alumni interactions and giving is accurate and provide reports and analysis of patterns and trends to senior colleagues.Prepare reports for consideration by senior managers. This could include giving data, alumni communication responses (and email open rates), event and stewardship proposals and/or summaries for internal and external stakeholder meetings.As the post-holder will be based in College Office, occasional sign‑posting of students to appropriate support services when necessary.Planning and OrganisingPlan and organise own workload to deliver the role.Monitor processes and activities to ensure team priorities are met.Help manage and coordinate alumni engagement, cultivation, and stewardship events.TeamworkProvide specialist support and advice to College team members regarding alumni queries, events and stewardship. Escalate more complex queries to colleagues in College or the Development and Alumni Relations Office.Make changes to the services provided by your team in discussion with other team members.Identify opportunities and contribute to decisions on how to improve services being delivered by the team.Seek feedback from our global alumni community on their requirements for your service and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.Update St Mary’s alumni website and social media.Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries.Draft communications (email, postal and telephone) for our global alumni community in collaboration with the College Management Team and DARO.Create good working relationships with other team members and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to work together on joint activities.Liaise with members of the College Leadership Team to ensure services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.Record information such as bookings for activities/events and share with internal partners.Contribute and engage with staff and students on promotional activities, events and presentations.Create good working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers to work together on joint initiatives.Build relationships with contacts and contribute to internal and external networks to share good practice and exchange information.As and when required the postholder will provide induction support and/or instruction to others within the team.Any other reasonable duties.Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement and Privacy Notices – Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.Working ArrangementsAnnualised hours (364 hours per annum, paid at an average of 7 hours per week). Some evening and weekend work will be required around specific events such as alumni weekend.When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long‑term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so, and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk. #J-18808-Ljbffr