Head of Donor Relations - Maternity Cover in London

We are UCL: a diverse community with the freedom to challenge and think differently. The world urgently needs solutions to diverse problems. UCL was founded 200 years ago on the generosity of a collective of people who believed in an institution that could drive forward those solutions. In response, UCL has launched Here, it will happen, our biggest philanthropic and engagement campaign yet. This sets out our ambitions to solve global health, societal, climate and education challenges in UCL’s next century.

About the role

We are recruiting a Head of Donor Relations to join our Advancement Donor Relations team on a c.14-month FTC to cover maternity leave. As Head of Donor Relations you will lead the strategic and operational delivery of donor engagement and stewardship across UCL Advancement. Working closely with colleagues across OVPA and the wider UCL community, you will ensure the delivery of an exceptional donor experience that attracts, engages and retains supporters in the UK and globally.

You will oversee the development and implementation of UCL’s Donor Experience Strategy, ensuring recognition, stewardship and engagement programmes support the university’s philanthropic ambitions and the priorities of the upcoming campaign. Leading a high-performing Donor Relations team, you will drive collaboration across Advancement, working with fundraising, events and supporter engagement colleagues to deliver sector-leading donor experiences and build long-term relationships with individuals, trusts, foundations and corporate partners.

The role will also play a key part in strengthening the systems, processes and insight that underpin donor stewardship. Working with colleagues in Supporter Systems and Planning and Performance, you will ensure donor engagement activity is effectively tracked, analysed and used to inform future strategy, supporting a data‑led approach to relationship management and recognition.

This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 20% on site. Please use the attach cover letter upload option to tell us how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification.

You will bring significant experience of working within a fast‑paced, high-performing advancement or fundraising environment, with a strong understanding of major and principal gift fundraising and the motivations of high‑net‑worth donors, trusts, foundations and corporate supporters. You will have experience of developing and delivering strategies that strengthen both external relationships and internal stakeholder engagement within complex organisations.

With a strong understanding of stewardship and its role in successful relationship management, you will be confident managing nuanced donor relationships and delivering tailored engagement approaches that enhance long-term philanthropic partnerships. You will possess excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.

Strong organisational and project management skills will enable you to manage competing priorities and deliver impactful programmes to deadline, while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, discretion and diplomacy. You will also demonstrate the ability to analyse complex information and resolve challenges creatively, bringing innovation, resilience and a collaborative mindset to your work.

Experience of using CRM systems and data insight to inform decision-making will support your ability to strengthen donor engagement processes and ensure activities are effectively recorded and evaluated. You will be a supportive and motivating leader, committed to developing and empowering colleagues and fostering a collaborative, high‑performing team culture.

What we offer

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On‑Site nursery
• On‑site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.