Development Officer

Development Officer

Southampton Full-Time 30805 - 32546 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Raise funds and build partnerships to support the University of Southampton's impactful research.
  • Company: Join the University of Southampton, a leader in academic research and social change.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a generous benefits package, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference while connecting with inspiring individuals and innovative projects.
  • Qualifications: Confident communicators with fundraising experience and a passion for positive change are encouraged to apply.
  • Other info: This is a chance to be part of a growing team with diverse ideas and backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 30805 - 32546 £ per year.

Section: Development & Alumni Relations

Location: Highfield Campus

Salary: £30,805 to £32,546 per annum

Full Time, Permanent

Closing Date: Sunday 20 April 2025

Interview Date: Wednesday 30 April 2025

Reference: CD-R

At the University of Southampton, our aim is to change the world for the better, bringing together realms of academic research, creativity and knowledge to have a truly collaborative, immersive and ground-breaking impact. We care about the challenges that humanity is facing, and work to support others on a local and global scale.

About the role

This engaging, interesting role is responsible for raising philanthropic income to help advance the University. Building personal, creative and rewarding partnerships with individuals and organisations, this position is crucial in connecting donors with Southampton's fantastic research and education. Working amongst world-leading researchers and managing a varied portfolio of interesting and generous alumni and supporters, you will get to see truly life-changing impact in action.

You will learn new skills and experience in fundraising by working within the Fundraising team, where you will work with colleagues who share years of experience but are equally eager to learn from others and are keen to offer guidance. Our current priorities cover an innovative student scholarship programme and a range of medical research projects. There are exciting times ahead as we plan for our new campaign, ensuring this is a varied, enjoyable and rewarding role. This is a time of growth for our team as we embark on exciting new fundraising projects and engage an ever-increasing number of supporters. We are pleased to be recruiting for three Development Officer roles to greatly accelerate this activity.

About you

  • You will be a confident and enthusiastic fundraiser or have experience in helping bring about positive change through building strong relationships, motivated by seeing the impact of philanthropy and other work for the improvement of society and the world.
  • You will have demonstrable experience of working face to face with people, donors, or stakeholders, individually or as part of a team, and recognise the personal and creative approach required to engage with each person you work with to produce a positive outcome. You have a passion for delivering a high standard of customer, stakeholder, or donor experience.
  • You will be an excellent writer who enjoys writing persuasive communications to convince others into taking action.
  • You will have a desire to learn how to enable interesting opportunities to connect with, cultivate and steward your donors.
  • You will be tenacious and creative in attracting new contacts, ensuring a positive future of philanthropic support for Southampton.

About us

We are planning our first University-wide fundraising and engagement campaign, involving more alumni and supporters with Southampton so that we can change the world. With the full support and investment of University leadership, we are excited to be growing our team considerably.

We need people with intellectual curiosity and different ideas. We need people with direct experience or transferable skills and the interest and drive to take on a new challenge. We are actively determined to welcome a diverse group of colleagues into our inclusive team. Every day will be different, you will meet incredible people and the rewards will be huge.

What can we offer you?

We recognise that our staff are at the heart of what we do so we have a generous benefits package. Our hybrid working approach helps you with your work life balance and offers you the chance to split your time between office and home working.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team. This could be a career-defining opportunity and we want to hear from you. If you'd like to have an informal chat about this role, please email Antonia Sauvain, Development Manager. Please do contact us if you feel you don't meet all of the selection criteria and want to discuss the role further - we would love to hear from you.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity. Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment, quoting the job number.

Development Officer employer: Haymarket

At the University of Southampton, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our generous benefits package, including a hybrid working model, ensures a healthy work-life balance while our commitment to employee growth provides ample opportunities for professional development. Join us at Highfield Campus, where you will be part of a passionate team dedicated to making a meaningful impact through philanthropy and research, all within a supportive and inclusive environment.
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Contact Detail:

Haymarket Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Development Officer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the University of Southampton's mission and recent fundraising initiatives. Understanding their goals will help you articulate how your skills and experiences align with their vision during networking or interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Connect with current or former Development Officers on LinkedIn to gain insights into their experiences. This can provide you with valuable information about the role and help you build relationships that may support your application.

✨Tip Number 3

Attend events or webinars related to fundraising and philanthropy. Engaging in these activities not only enhances your knowledge but also expands your network, which could lead to potential referrals for the position.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during your informal chat with Antonia Sauvain, the Development Manager. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gather more information to tailor your approach.

We think you need these skills to ace Development Officer

Fundraising Skills
Relationship Building
Persuasive Writing
Stakeholder Engagement
Customer Service Excellence
Creativity in Outreach
Communication Skills
Team Collaboration
Networking Skills
Project Management
Adaptability
Tenacity
Emotional Intelligence
Research Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and expectations of a Development Officer. Highlight key skills such as fundraising experience, relationship building, and persuasive writing in your application.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experiences that align with the role. Emphasise any previous fundraising roles or experiences where you successfully engaged with donors or stakeholders.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for philanthropy and your ability to build relationships. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can contribute to the University’s mission.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Haymarket

✨Show Your Passion for Philanthropy

Make sure to express your enthusiasm for fundraising and how it can create positive change. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference through philanthropy.

✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships with donors or stakeholders in the past. Highlight your ability to engage with diverse individuals and tailor your approach to meet their needs.

✨Be Ready to Showcase Your Writing Skills

Since excellent writing is crucial for this role, be prepared to discuss your experience in crafting persuasive communications. You might even want to bring samples of your writing to demonstrate your skills.

✨Emphasise Your Willingness to Learn

Convey your eagerness to learn and grow within the role. Discuss any relevant training or development opportunities you’ve pursued in the past and how they have prepared you for this position.

Development Officer
Haymarket
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  • Development Officer

    Southampton
    Full-Time
    30805 - 32546 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-04-21

  • H

    Haymarket

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