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- Tasks: Lead a major gifts programme to secure £200m+ for a world-leading business school.
- Company: London Business School, a vibrant global community in London and Dubai.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension contributions, free gym access, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education through transformational philanthropy and impactful relationships.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in fundraising, excellent relationship-building skills, and strategic thinking.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on inclusion and belonging.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 £ per year.
Shape the future of a world-leading business school through transformational philanthropy. London Business School (LBS) is seeking an experienced and ambitious Director of Major Giving to lead one of the most significant major gifts programmes in UK higher education. This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in delivering a £200m+ fundraising ambition and to build enduring relationships that will shape the School’s global impact for generations to come.
Reporting to the Executive Director, Giving, and working closely with the Associate Dean, Advancement, the Director of Major Giving will be accountable for leading and delivering the major giving strategy over the next phase of the School’s fundraising journey. You will lead and develop a high-performing team of major gift fundraisers, overseeing philanthropy from £50k to £1m+, and hold a personal portfolio of senior international prospects and donors. You will play a critical role in building a sustainable pipeline to support a £200m campaign, while embedding a donor-centred, collaborative and ambitious fundraising culture across Advancement.
Main Responsibilities- Lead, inspire and develop a team of major gift fundraisers to deliver exceptional results
- Drive execution of the School’s major giving and campaign strategy
- Build and manage a strong pipeline of high value prospects to support long term fundraising growth
- Personally cultivate, solicit and steward senior donors and prospects globally
- Partner closely with senior stakeholders including the Dean, faculty, alumni leaders and campaign boards
- Set, monitor and report against KPIs, financial targets and multi-year plans
- Champion best practice in major giving, donor experience and fundraising innovation
- Act as a visible, credible leader and role model across Advancement and the wider School
- Significant experience leading and managing high performing teams
- A strong personal track record of securing major gifts
- Excellent relationship building skills with senior level stakeholders and donors
- Strategic thinking combined with the ability to execute at pace
- Strong financial acumen and experience reporting against ambitious targets
- Outstanding communication, influencing and negotiation skills
- A collaborative, values led leadership style and commitment to continuous improvement
London Business School; a global and vibrant business community based in two of the world’s most dynamic cities, London and Dubai. It’s where extraordinary minds and diverse perspectives connect, to have a profound impact on the way the world does business and the way business impacts the world. We offer best in class hybrid learning to our students and participants, whilst creating a flexible, supportive and dynamic working environment for our people to excel in, whatever their location.
What you can expect from us- Generous annual leave of 27 days PLUS extra between Christmas and New Year!
- Generous pension package, 14.5% employer contribution (in return for employee enrolment and contribution)
- Free onsite gym and swimming pool
- Amazing range of professional development to support your career path
- Enhanced cycle to work scheme
- Wellbeing offering to support your physical, mental and financial health
- Up to 5 days paid emergency leave for staff who have caring responsibilities for a family member, dependent or friend who is ill.
At London Business School, we support Smart Working - a hybrid approach designed to help you achieve a healthy work-life balance while delivering the best outcomes for your role and the needs of our customers. All roles require a minimum of two days on campus each week to foster a vibrant, collaborative community. For this role specifically, you will be expected to be on campus 2 days per week.
We operate with ‘core hours’ – 10:00-15:00 – to maximise opportunities for connection and collaboration across teams during the working day. Outside of these hours, you may still be required for meetings or collaboration based on your role and customer needs. Additionally, we offer Protected Time - a flexible, one-hour slot, within the working week dedicated to your learning and development, wellbeing, or focused, quiet work.
Our commitment to driving inclusion and belongingWe are a globally reaching institution, committed to creating tangible and sustainable change in driving inclusion & belonging within our School, education and society at large. We are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone in our community feels they belong and thrive. This is a key school priority, and we want everyone who joins LBS to feel respected, welcomed, and heard.
Candidates needing sponsorship should assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship by evaluating their circumstances against the relevant criteria before applying. Please note we start screening CVs and interviewing candidates from the start of a campaign. A successful candidate could progress to offer before the advertised closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in any roles.
Director of Major Gifts in Slough employer: London Business School
Contact Detail:
London Business School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Major Gifts in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the philanthropy and 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 dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for philanthropy! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your enthusiasm for their mission. Share stories of how you've made an impact in previous roles – it’ll help you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation inside out. Understand their fundraising goals, recent campaigns, and key stakeholders. This will not only impress them but also help you tailor your responses to show you’re the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. So, get your application in and let’s make some magic happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Major Gifts in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in major gifts and team leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our ambitious fundraising goals!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve secured major gifts or led successful fundraising campaigns. Numbers speak volumes, so include any impressive figures that demonstrate your impact.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can build relationships and inspire a team, so don’t be afraid to show us what makes you unique!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Business School
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Director of Major Gifts, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Be prepared to discuss specific fundraising targets you've achieved in the past and how you plan to contribute to the £200m+ ambition at London Business School. Bring data that showcases your success in securing major gifts.
✨Build Relationships Before the Interview
Start networking with current or former employees of the London Business School. Understanding their culture and values will help you tailor your responses during the interview. Plus, having insider knowledge can give you an edge when discussing how you would fit into their collaborative environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams. Discuss your approach to inspiring and developing fundraisers, and how you foster a donor-centred culture. This role requires a collaborative leadership style, so be ready to share how you embody these values.
✨Prepare for Strategic Questions
Expect questions about your strategic thinking and execution capabilities. Think about how you would build and manage a strong pipeline of high-value prospects. Be ready to discuss your strategies for cultivating relationships with senior donors and how you would align with the school's ambitious fundraising goals.