At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to engage major gift donors and showcase the impact of their contributions.
- Company: Be part of UCL Advancement, a leading institution dedicated to fostering donor relationships.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working with a mix of remote and onsite options, plus competitive pay.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by connecting donors to meaningful projects and experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer care, writing impactful reports, and using Microsoft Office is essential.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to develop skills in fundraising and donor relations.
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.
- Experience of writing high quality, written impact reports/materials.
- Experience of using Microsoft Office software, including MS Outlook, Word and Excel.
- Experience of working in fundraising in the charity sector, higher education sector or equivalent.
- An understanding of the importance of stewardship and its role in successful relationship management.
- Experience of tracking information within a database.
Skills and abilities:
- Exceptional written and in person communication skills, including ability to write engagingly and persuasively to a range of audiences.
- The ability to build and foster strong working relationships across diverse groups of stakeholders including high net worth/influential individuals.
- Motivated with excellent organisational skills.
- Ability to prioritise own work effectively, including balancing short, medium and long term tasks.
- Excellent interpersonal skills: diplomacy, discretion, tact, persuasiveness, and the ability to handle confidential information in a sensitive way.
Ways of working:
- Responding to stakeholder needs with the intention to provide an excellent service.
- Able to recognise and support important innovation and change in the workplace.
- Demonstrating interest in personal development.
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. Understanding how to effectively engage and retain donors is crucial for this role, so read up on best practices and successful case studies in donor relations.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fundraising and charity sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with others in the field, as building relationships can lead to valuable insights and potential referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your CRM skills. Since tracking donor relations activity is a key part of the job, being proficient in using CRM software will give you an edge. Consider taking a short course if you're not already familiar.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience in customer care and relationship management during the interview. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully handled inquiries and built rapport with clients or stakeholders.
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 fundraising. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in writing impact reports and managing donor communications.
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 outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since exceptional written communication is crucial for this role, consider including a sample of your writing, such as a report or acknowledgment letter, to demonstrate your ability to engage and persuade diverse audiences.
Highlight Relevant Software Proficiency: Mention your experience with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word, as well as any CRM systems you have used. This will show that you are equipped to handle the technical aspects of the role 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 examples of how you've effectively communicated with diverse stakeholders in the past, whether through reports, emails, or face-to-face interactions.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Abilities
Highlight your organisational skills by discussing how you manage multiple tasks and priorities. Be ready to share specific instances where you successfully balanced short-term and long-term projects, especially in a busy environment.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Donor Stewardship
Understand the principles of donor stewardship and be prepared to discuss its importance in relationship management. Share any relevant experiences you have in fundraising or donor relations, particularly in creating impactful acknowledgments or reports.
✨Research the Organisation and Its Values
Before the interview, take time to research the organisation's mission, values, and recent initiatives. This will not only help you tailor your responses but also demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their goals.