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- Tasks: Join our team to connect major gift donors with the impact of their contributions.
- Company: Be part of UCL, a leading institution dedicated to education and research.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working with a mix of remote and onsite options, plus competitive pay.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by enhancing donor relationships and supporting impactful projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer care and strong writing skills are essential; fundraising experience is a plus.
- Other info: This is a 6-month contract with a minimum of 20% onsite work required.
Location: London
Remote/Onsite Requirement: 20% minimum onsite - Tuesday must be onsite
Duration of Contract: 6 Months
Days/Hours: 36.5 hours per week
Pay Rate: £18.88 - £21.68 per hour - PAYE
Desired Start Date: ASAP
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Be an integral part of a team delivering high-quality stewardship for major gift donors that connect them to the impact of their gift, including acknowledgements, reporting, events, tours, visits and meetings.
- Produce meaningful, donor-centric gift acknowledgments.
- Work with fundraising and academic colleagues to research, write and design impactful reports for donors both for bespoke gifts and pooled funds.
- Support on tours and visits for prospects and donors in line with their interests.
- Manage the team inbox and deal with general queries related to Donor Relations activity from across UCL Advancement, professional services and academic departments.
- Effectively track Donor Relations activity in the CRM to build understanding of the impact of team activity.
- Manage the supporter gift giving processes, including procurement, keeping track of gift inventories and creating bespoke gifts.
- Work closely with the Donor Relations Managers on the scholarship stewardship programme including the thank you letter process, liaising with scholarship recipients, dealing with related queries, organising meetings between scholarship recipients and their donors and identifying areas where processes can be improved.
- Work closely with the Donor Relations Managers on donor experience strategies for priority projects.
- Work closely with the Events team on relevant donor facing stewardship events including invitation processes, managing logistics and data recording.
- Work across the fundraising teams to ensure relevant institutional events and opportunities are capitalised on for donor cultivation and stewardship.
- Remain up to date with industry best-practice, work with the Donor Relations team to implement the latest donor retention and relations strategies as appropriate, and build effective networks with colleagues at other institutions.
Criteria:
- Experience and knowledge:
- Experience of working in a busy customer care environment. Handling customer enquiries both in writing and in person (Essential)
- Experience of writing high quality, written impact reports/materials (Essential)
- Experience of using Microsoft Office software, including MS outlook, word and excel (Essential)
- Experience of working in fundraising in the charity sector, higher education sector or equivalent (Desirable)
- An understanding of the importance of stewardship and its role in successful relationship management (Desirable)
- Experience of tracking information within a database (Desirable)
- Skills and abilities:
- Exceptional written and in person communication skills, including ability to write engagingly and persuasively to a range of audiences (Essential)
- The ability to build and foster strong working relationships across diverse groups of stakeholders including high net worth/ influential individuals (Essential)
- Motivated with excellent organisational skills (Essential)
- Ability to prioritise own work effectively, including balancing short, medium and long term tasks (Essential)
- Excellent interpersonal skills: diplomacy, discretion, tact, persuasiveness, and the ability to handle confidential information in a sensitive way (Essential)
UCL Ways of Working for professional services:
- Responding to stakeholder needs with the intention to provide an excellent service (Essential)
- Able to recognise and support important innovation and change in the workplace (Essential)
- Demonstrating interest in personal development (Essential)
Donor Relations Officer employer: SRG
Contact Detail:
SRG Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Donor Relations Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of donor stewardship and relationship management. Understanding how to effectively engage with donors and communicate their impact will set you apart during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fundraising and donor relations sector. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with others in the field, which can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in customer care environments. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've handled inquiries and built relationships, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research UCL's current donor relations strategies and recent initiatives. Being knowledgeable about their work will demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and help you articulate how you can contribute.
We think you need these skills to ace Donor Relations Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in donor relations, customer care, and writing impactful reports. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in communication and relationship management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for donor relations and your understanding of stewardship. Mention how your previous experiences align with the responsibilities of the Donor Relations Officer role.
Showcase Writing Skills: Since exceptional written communication is essential, include samples of your previous work, such as reports or acknowledgments, if possible. This will give the hiring team a clear idea of your writing style and ability to engage different audiences.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise any experience you have in fundraising, customer service, or working with diverse stakeholders. Make sure to mention any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage donor relationships effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at SRG
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Donor Relations Officer, exceptional written and verbal communication is key. Prepare to discuss examples of how you've effectively communicated with diverse stakeholders, and be ready to demonstrate your ability to write engagingly and persuasively.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Abilities
This role requires excellent organisational skills. Be prepared to share specific instances where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects simultaneously, especially in a busy customer care environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of Stewardship
Understanding the importance of stewardship in relationship management is crucial. Familiarise yourself with best practices in donor relations and be ready to discuss how you would apply these strategies in your role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills. Think of scenarios where you've had to handle sensitive information or manage relationships with high-profile individuals, and be ready to explain your approach.
