At a Glance
- Tasks: Support advancement activities, manage donor relations, and assist with event planning.
- Company: Join a dynamic university team focused on global engagement and alumni relations.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in fundraising and event management while working in a vibrant environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and networking within the higher education sector.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting with donors and supporting meaningful initiatives.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education or relevant experience in donor relations or administrative roles.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Based full-time on the Edinburgh campus, the main focus for the Stewardship Officer role will be to provide support to Advancement activities within the Advancement Office. The post holder will be expected to support the advancement team to deliver a programme of global engagement and events activity across alumni, staff, students, prospects and donors – often acting as the front line to Advancement Office stakeholders and contacts. The post holder will also play a key role in supporting the overall work of the team, key team members and facilitate internal requests and collaborations.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Stewardship
- Monitor major gifts and pledges, reports and future stewardship actions on Raiser's Edge, monitoring these at regular intervals, producing monthly reports and prompting colleagues to action when appropriate.
- Develop, write and maintain process documentation for the Advancement Office in relation to stewardship, administrative and finance tasks.
- Act as administrator for specific In memorial, scholarships and bursary funds.
- Liaise with and assist colleagues in facilitating arrangements for major donors to visit the campus and view the impact of their support.
- Actively participate in the wider work of the dept, taking on special projects or additional duties from time to time, making a positive contribution to departmental issues and ensuring joined-up activity with other areas of the Advancement Office's work.
- Events
- Support the planning and delivery of events as directed, across the Advancement Office - including but not limited to alumni engagement events, Advancement events and graduations.
- Assist with keeping the Advancement Office monthly events calendar up to date.
- Attend fortnightly events meeting, taking note of actions and updates to specific events.
- Represent the Advancement Office at online and in person events, including Watt Club Staff branch meetings, donor cultivation, thank you events, graduations and more.
- Represent the Advancement Office at student fairs, recruitment days, open days, staff induction fairs and networking events to answer questions and present information about the Watt Club services and activities.
- Attend wider university, student, Advancement events on behalf of alumni team where appropriate.
- Administration and Support
- Provide general administrative support across the team, including booking travel and accommodation when required, as well as processing invoices, maintaining the Advancement Office budget tracker, diary management and minuting key meetings where directed.
- Work across the Advancement Office, as directed, to ensure data, records and attributes are updated and maintained appropriately on Raiser’s Edge and SharePoint.
- Contribute to preparation of Advancement marketing and communications material as directed. E.g. copy for brochures, pop up banners for events, website etc.
- Support administration of stewardship processes including liaison with schools and recipients.
- Supporting Advancement workstreams and projects e.g. providing support for regular giving mail outs and telethons.
- Attend meetings of University and keep up to date with events, publications and general Advancement activity within the wider HWU community.
Person Specification
These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.
- Essential
- Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience in donor relations, customer service, fundraising support, or a related administrative role.
- Demonstrable experience providing administrative support within a complex or large organisation, including handling financial processes such as invoicing, budget tracking, or expenditure monitoring.
- Experience working in a stakeholder‑facing role, ideally involving customer, donor, alumni, or client engagement.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently and professionally with donors, alumni, staff, students, and senior stakeholders.
- Excellent organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, competing priorities, and deadlines.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail, particularly in written communication, data entry, and record‑keeping.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and confidence working with CRM or database systems.
- Desirable
- Understanding of fundraising principles, donor stewardship practices, and the donor lifecycle.
- Knowledge of data protection legislation (e.g., GDPR) and ethical considerations in handling donor and alumni data.
- Experience using Raiser’s Edge or a similar fundraising CRM system.
- Experience supporting events, including logistics, guest management, and on‑the‑day delivery.
- Experience working in a higher education, charity, or membership‑based organisation.
- Confidence producing or editing copy for marketing materials, event collateral, or donor communications.
Stewardship Officer in Midlothian employer: Heriot-Watt University
As a Stewardship Officer at our Edinburgh campus, you will join a dynamic and supportive Advancement Office that values collaboration and innovation. We offer a vibrant work culture with opportunities for professional growth, where your contributions directly impact our global engagement initiatives. Enjoy a range of benefits, including flexible working arrangements and the chance to participate in meaningful events that connect you with alumni and donors, making your role both rewarding and fulfilling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Stewardship Officer in Midlothian
✨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 Heriot-Watt University.
✨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 Heriot-Watt University.
✨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 Heriot-Watt University.
✨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 Heriot-Watt University. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Stewardship Officer in Midlothian
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 Heriot-Watt University. 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 Stewardship Officer, 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 Heriot-Watt University
✨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 Heriot-Watt University. 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!
