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- Tasks: Lead donor relations and create impactful stewardship programmes at King's College London.
- Company: Join a prestigious university committed to philanthropy and alumni engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available to suit your lifestyle.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by nurturing relationships that shape the future of education and healthcare.
- Qualifications: Experience in donor relations, team leadership, and strategic change management required.
The predicted salary is between 65091 - 72593 ÂŁ per year.
Department: Proposition Dev & Supporter Engagement
Grade and Salary: ÂŁ65,091 - ÂŁ72,593 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID: 142565
About us
Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement (P&A) provides a fundraising and alumni engagement function in support of King’s College London. We work with colleagues across the university and its health partners to help them serve society through world‑leading education, research and healthcare. Our work also includes a partnership with the Maudsley Charity in support of children’s mental health initiatives between the university’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience and the South London & Maudsley NHS Trust. We are a committed team that brings together fundraisers working across different channels, alongside colleagues who promote King’s College London’s engagement with its worldwide alumni community. Our work is underpinned and enhanced by a range of dedicated professionals in supporting areas covering proposition development, supporter engagement, supporter operations and business operations.
About the role
As King’s College London approaches a landmark period—launching a new Philanthropy and Engagement Campaign in 2027 and celebrating our Bicentenary in 2029—our community of donors plays a vital role in shaping what King’s can achieve. This moment presents an extraordinary opportunity to inspire, thank, and nurture lifelong relationships that enable our supporters to feel truly connected to our purpose and proud of the impact they help create. King’s seeks an outstanding Head of Donor Relations to lead a meaningful and sector‑leading stewardship and donor experience programme that recognises every supporter and clearly demonstrates the transformative impact of their giving. Reporting to the Director of Advancement Communications & Engagement and working across P&A, you will play a pivotal role in helping King’s raise more philanthropic income by strengthening donor trust, loyalty and long‑term engagement. Working in close partnership with academics, you will capture, evidence and communicate outcomes with clarity and credibility, translating complex work into meaningful impact stories that resonate with donors. You will lead the philanthropic naming and recognition strategy and advise philanthropy teams as they shape compelling opportunities. You will collaborate closely with Advancement Events and Advancement Communications to deliver an exceptional end‑to‑end donor experience, explore appropriate automation, and showcase philanthropy internally and externally. You will also strengthen scholarship stewardship frameworks, ensuring strong links with the Student Finance Office and an approach that is mindful of safeguarding. As a confident, collaborative leader with an entrepreneurial mindset and a strong attention to detail you will support the development of your team and deploy department resources strategically to maximise impact. You will lead a talented team and work closely with senior leaders from across the university, our Estates team, world‑leading academics, and fundraisers to ensure our highest‑value donors receive meaningful, personalised engagement. This role is ideal for a confident, collaborative leader who can bring creativity, strategic thinking and insight to a complex and fast‑moving environment. Whether your background is in higher education, the nonprofit sector, or another complex organisation, you will bring strategic vision, service excellence and a deep commitment to building long‑term relationships with donors. This is a full‑time post (35 hours per week) and you will be offered an indefinite contract. P&A has a hybrid working approach, with a minimum of 40% of time in the office, typically equating to two days per week.
About you
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
- Essential criteria
- Substantial experience working in donor relations and stewardship.
- Proven leadership experience managing teams.
- Shaping and delivering strategic change within a complex organisation.
- Demonstrated ability to work with senior stakeholders and high‑value donors with discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgement.
- Advanced project and programme management skills; ability to manage competing priorities at pace.
- Experience managing naming rights, gift agreements, and donor recognition processes.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, capable of producing high‑quality narrative content for senior audiences.
- Experience in stewarding donors at all levels including principal gift level (ÂŁ5m+).
- Strong analytical skills with ability to interpret complex programme data, evaluate impact, and shape strategic decisions.
We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including part‑time, compressed hours and/or job shares, as appropriate and in the context of the business needs associated with the role.
Equality and Diversity
The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
Head of Donor Relations employer: Case
Contact Detail:
Case Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Donor Relations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the philanthropy and higher education sectors. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Donor Relations role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or presentation that highlights your past successes in donor relations and stewardship. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share these stories to demonstrate your impact and strategic vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a job opening that excites you, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email expressing your enthusiasm. A little initiative can go a long way in making you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation’s current initiatives and challenges. Tailor your responses to show how your skills can help them achieve their goals, especially in strengthening donor trust and engagement. This will show you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Donor Relations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at King’s College London.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Head of Donor Relations, your leadership experience is crucial. Highlight examples where you've successfully managed teams or led strategic initiatives, as this will resonate well with us.
Communicate Clearly: Your written communication skills are key for this role. Ensure your application is clear, concise, and free of jargon. We appreciate straightforward narratives that convey your impact and vision.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and keep track of your application. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Case
✨Know Your Donor Relations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of donor relations and stewardship. Familiarise yourself with King’s College London’s current initiatives and how they engage with their donors. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams and driving strategic change. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you navigated them. This will demonstrate your capability to lead a talented team effectively.
✨Communicate with Clarity and Impact
Since the role requires outstanding written and verbal communication skills, practice articulating complex ideas simply and clearly. Prepare to discuss how you’ve translated intricate data into compelling narratives that resonate with high-value donors.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to handle real-life situations in donor relations. Think through potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would approach them, particularly regarding donor engagement and recognition strategies.