At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead alumni engagement initiatives and build lifelong relationships to support student success.
- Company: Join a leading university with a rich history of transforming lives through education.
- Benefits: Generous leave, excellent pension, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment focused on equity, diversity, and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of alumni engagement and make a real impact on graduates' lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in community building, leadership, and strategic decision-making.
The predicted salary is between 61816 - 75552 £ per year.
£60,996 (negotiable) | Full-time (37 hours) | Hybrid working | Kingston upon Thames
Charity People is delighted to be partnering with a leading university to recruit their next Head of Alumni Engagement & Operations. This institution has a 125 years of transforming lives through education, innovation and opportunity. With TEF Gold recognition across the board, and a Town House Strategy that's rewriting what a modern education looks like, we are focused on helping students develop the skills, networks and experiences to thrive throughout their careers. Integral to this ambition is our global community of more than 280,000 alumni, whose futures have been shaped by the university.
As Head of Alumni Engagement & Operations, part of the senior leadership team of their Development, Alumni Relations and Engagement (DARE) team, you will help us build lifelong relationships with their alumni to support future growth and success.
About the role:
They have a 3-year strategy in place to develop alumni engagement, increase participation and embed philanthropy more deeply across the University, with full support of senior leadership across the board. This is a fantastic opportunity to join their growing team and work with senior stakeholders across the University, to champion the role alumni can play in student success, employability, mentoring, partnerships and philanthropy, and develop a lifelong alumni offer. Reporting in to the Director of DARE, you'll lead a broad portfolio including alumni communications, events, volunteering, individual giving, CRM, data insight and operational delivery.
About you:
We're looking for someone who understands the power of communities and relationships. This is a broad leadership role spanning alumni engagement, communications, volunteering, individual giving, CRM, data insight and operational delivery. While experience within alumni relations or advancement in higher education would be valuable, we're equally interested in hearing from candidates from the charity, membership, fundraising, supporter engagement or relationship management sectors. What matters most is your ability to build communities, create meaningful engagement opportunities, use insight to drive decision-making and inspire people to connect with a shared purpose.
You'll be strategic enough to shape the future direction of alumni engagement at the university, whilst remaining hands-on enough to build relationships, spot opportunities and bring colleagues and stakeholders with you.
You'll bring:
- Experience developing and delivering successful alumni engagement, advancement, membership, supporter engagement or relationship-management programmes.
- A track record of building communities, growing participation and creating meaningful engagement opportunities.
- Strong leadership skills and experience developing high-performing teams.
- Confidence using insight, data and CRM systems to inform strategy and decision-making.
- Experience overseeing communications, events, volunteering, supporter engagement or related activities.
- An understanding of how long-term relationships can lead to advocacy, mentoring, volunteering, partnerships and giving.
Most importantly, you'll believe that alumni engagement is about much more than communications and events. You'll be excited by the opportunity to help graduates become mentors, volunteers, advocates, partners and lifelong supporters of the University.
Benefits include:
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Excellent pension scheme.
- Hybrid working (with a minimum of 50% of time spent on campus).
- Access to professional development opportunities.
- A supportive and inclusive working environment.
- The opportunity to shape a high-profile function at one of London's leading universities.
Key Dates:
Closing date: 9th September 2026 - we encourage not delaying your application. Interviews: 28th and 30th September 2026 (in person).
How to apply:
Charity People is managing this search. In the first instance, please send your CV to Glen at Charity People. If your profile matches what we're looking for, we'll be in touch with the full candidate pack and further details about the recruitment process. We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. Please inform us if you require any assistance or adjustment to help ensure the application process works for you.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
Head of Alumni Engagement and Operations in London employer: Charity People
Maudsley Charity is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises mental health advocacy and community impact. With a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, employees are encouraged to grow professionally while contributing to meaningful initiatives that shape mental health care across the UK. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, and the collaborative culture fosters innovation and engagement with key stakeholders in the sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Alumni Engagement and Operations in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Charity People.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Charity People.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Charity People.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Charity People. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Alumni Engagement and Operations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Charity People. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Alumni Engagement and Operations, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Charity People
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Charity People. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
