Multiple Associate Directors of Development – Principal Gifts

The University of Oxford is a unique and historic institution. As the oldest university in the English-speaking world, it can lay claim to nine centuries of continuous teaching and learning. It is a place where ancient and modern not only coexist, but where the path-breaking work of previous generations of academics informs and underpins the latest cutting-edge research and innovation.

For the last nine years, Oxford has topped the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, a position that reflects the institution’s commitment to the creation of new knowledge, together with outstanding teaching provision. Since the earliest days of its foundation, Oxford has been fortunate to benefit from the generous support of benefactors, and philanthropy continues to play an important role in helping the University meet the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Oxford’s last fundraising campaign, Oxford Thinking, closed in 2019, having raised in excess of £3.3 billion. The University is now on the cusp of the public launch of its next ambitious campaign.

Under the leadership of the Chief Development and Alumni Engagement Officer, Liesl Elder, Oxford is on an ambitious trajectory to enhance and deepen long-term relationships with a growing number of influential global philanthropists and supporters. The Principal Gifts team, headed by Dr Kirstine Knox, works across the University on the most impactful and transformational gifts that bring far-reaching benefits to research, education, infrastructure and people including world-leading researchers, and Oxford’s students.

As an Associate Director of Development, you will join an outstanding team and enjoy a highly stimulating and absorbing environment for a principal gift fundraiser. Focusing on relationships that nurture gifts at the £10 million and above level, you will work with world-leading academics across the disciplines; develop relationships with supporters who have a real passion for Oxford; and benefit from a profound institutional commitment to the role of philanthropy. This role offers significant professional opportunities, aligning highly influential donor interests with Oxford’s world-changing discovery and knowledge.

Development and Alumni Engagement is a department with a strong sense of purpose and clear objectives, where personal and professional development is valued highly. Successful candidates will be highly skilled professionals with strong high-level relationship-building skills, bringing a genuine intellectual curiosity and ability to gain trust among world-leading academics, promoting a collaborative and low-ego approach to developing successful partnerships, both within the University of Oxford and with donors, friends, and supporters across the world. Experience of developing successful philanthropic (or equivalent) relationships at the seven-figure level or above is desirable. We are also open to candidates who bring transferable skills from outside the fundraising sector.

An executive search exercise is being undertaken by Perrett Laver, who will support the University of Oxford in identifying the widest possible field of qualified candidates and assist in their assessment against the requirements for the role. For details of the appointment, including further information about the job description, person specification, and how to apply, please visit this link quoting reference 7910.

For a confidential informal conversation about the role, please contact Senior Research Associate, Ryann Schutt on ryann.schutt@perrettlaver.com or +44 (0) 20 7340 6224. Please submit your CV via our portal at your earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed by Perrett Laver on a rolling basis, with strong candidates invited to informal meetings with the University of Oxford ahead of the formal interview process. Early CV submission is strongly encouraged.

Salary: Competitive salary and Oxford University Weighting.