At a Glance
- 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 support education and healthcare initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in donor relations, leadership, and strategic change management required.
The predicted salary is between 65091 - 72593 € per year.
Department: Proposition Dev & Supporter Engagement
Grade and Salary: £65,091 - £72,593 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID:
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.
- Desirable criteria
- Experience in stewarding donors at all levels including principal gift level (£5m+).
- 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 in London employer: Case
At King’s College London, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture. As the Head of Donor Relations, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team in a dynamic environment, driving meaningful engagement with our community of donors while benefiting from professional growth opportunities and a commitment to work-life balance through our hybrid working model. Join us in making a transformative impact in education, research, and healthcare, all while being part of a prestigious institution located in the heart of London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Donor Relations in London
✨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! Create a portfolio or a personal website where you can highlight your achievements in donor relations. Include case studies, testimonials, and any successful campaigns you've led. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching King’s College London and its philanthropic initiatives. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Tailor your responses to demonstrate how you can enhance their donor engagement strategies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at StudySmarter and contributing to meaningful donor relations.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Donor Relations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Head of Donor Relations role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your successes in donor relations and stewardship. We want to see how you've made an impact in previous roles!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need there!
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
As a Head of Donor Relations, demonstrating your leadership experience is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams and led strategic changes in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, highlighting your collaborative approach.
✨Communicate with Clarity and Impact
Given the importance of communication in this role, practice articulating complex ideas simply and effectively. Prepare to share examples of high-quality narrative content you've produced for senior audiences. This will showcase your ability to translate intricate information into compelling stories that resonate with donors.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions about your strategic vision for donor engagement. Think about how you would enhance donor trust and loyalty at King’s College London. Be ready to discuss innovative ideas for stewardship programmes and how you would measure their success, demonstrating your analytical skills and forward-thinking mindset.
