Deputy Director of Development in Cambridge

St John’s College Cambridge is one of the most distinguished and internationally recognised colleges within the University of Cambridge. With a history spanning more than 500 years, the College is renowned for academic excellence, intellectual ambition and a longstanding culture of philanthropy.

As the College prepares for the next phase of its philanthropic journey, including an ambitious future campaign, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and highly motivated fundraising professional to join the Development Office as Deputy Director of Development. This is a senior and influential leadership role within one of Cambridge’s most prestigious Colleges. The successful candidate will bring the credibility, judgement and fundraising expertise to operate at a high level, alongside the drive and resilience to help shape a significant period of philanthropic growth for the College.

The College is seeking a proactive and strategic fundraiser who is motivated by building meaningful philanthropic partnerships and identifying new opportunities for engagement and support. This role requires someone who is confident operating externally, enjoys developing relationships at the highest level and has the instinct and initiative to create momentum and deliver results.

This role offers significant breadth and influence. Alongside personally managing a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, the Deputy Director of Development will help shape and lead fundraising activity across major gifts, legacies and individual giving. They will also play a central role in campaign planning, donor stewardship, leadership engagement and the continued development of a high-performing and collaborative team culture.

This is a demanding and high-profile role which requires resilience, sound judgement, strategic thinking and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving and ambitious fundraising environment. The successful candidate will be politically astute and able to balance strategic oversight with hands-on delivery.

Candidates will bring:

• A strong track record of securing significant philanthropic support and building meaningful donor relationships.
• Experience across multiple fundraising streams, ideally including major gifts, legacy giving and individual giving.
• The credibility and presence to engage influential stakeholders, volunteers and senior academic leaders.
• Experience leading and motivating teams, with an empowering and supportive management style combined with high professional standards.
• A proactive and opportunity-focused approach to fundraising, with the tenacity to pursue ambitious goals.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, alongside strong strategic judgement and organisational ability.

This is an outstanding opportunity to join St John’s College at an exciting and defining moment in its development trajectory, helping to shape the future of philanthropy at one of the world’s leading academic institutions.

St John’s College is committed to fostering an inclusive working environment and welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds and experiences.

Please upload your CV and covering letter through our online portal by clicking the ‘Apply Now' button on the job advert.

By applying for this role, you will provide personal data that the College will process in accordance with its obligations under data protection legislation and its Data Protection Policy.

Further information is available on the College website at joh.cam.ac.uk/about-us/how-we-work/data-protection.

D E AD L I N E

All applications must be received by 9am on 15 June 2026. interviews are expected to be held during the week commencing 22 June 2026.