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- Tasks: Lead and innovate UCL's fundraising and engagement strategy with a dynamic team.
- Company: Join UCL, a top 10 global university with a rich history of inclusivity and excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, excellent benefits, hybrid work options, and flexible hours.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact in a pivotal role during UCL's biggest fundraising campaign in 2026.
- Qualifications: Bring experience from a similar higher education advancement context and a global best-practice understanding.
- Other info: Part-time applications are welcome, and we encourage diverse candidates to apply.
The predicted salary is between 86000 - 103000 £ per year.
Director of Advancement Strategy & Operations
Advancement Department
University College London
London, UK
Grade 10 role with a globally competitive salary of £100,000-£120,000 pa, with excellent benefits and sector-leading relocation support.
UCL is a radically different university. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, we were the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men. Today UCL has over 40,000 students, 13,000 staff and 400,000 alumni, and is one of the world’s top 10 universities.
In 2020, we closed one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in the UK’s higher education sector, which raised £624M and galvanised our community. We have undertaken a strategic review of our programmes and have started to design a roadmap to build further capacity and expertise across our Advancement division. As part of this growth, we are investing in our Advancement Strategy & Operations team and require a dynamic and experienced new Director to lead this change.
The Director of Advancement Strategy & Operations is a pivotal and strategic senior leadership role within Advancement, offering a visionary leader the chance to make a lasting impact at one of the world’s leading universities. This is an opportunity to reimagine, innovate and shape the future of UCL’s ambitious fundraising and engagement programme, building systems and structures, and driving excellence in support of our philanthropic vision.
You will play a central and strategic role in developing and planning UCL’s next campaign, working closely with Advancement’s leadership team and senior leaders across the institution. You will lead and inspire a team of 24 to design and harness cutting-edge tools, data, systems and practices, delivering insights into donor behaviour, prospect and pipeline development, and ensuring operational efficiency and compliance. You will also play an active role as a leader in Advancement, and in the wider UCL context, with responsibility for ensuring the right resources and talent are in place to deliver on our fundraising and alumni engagement targets, now and in the future.
The ideal candidate will bring a depth of experience from a Higher Education Advancement context of a similar size and scale, and a nuanced understanding of global ‘best-practice’. Your expertise and enabling leadership style will raise the professional confidence of advancement at UCL and play a key role in developing the culture of the office. In return, you will join the team at an incredibly exciting time as we plan for UCL’s biggest ever fundraising and engagement campaign, launching in UCL’s bicentenary year, 2026. We are a team of passionate individuals who work together to achieve remarkable things with a global impact.
Our people really are our greatest asset and we invest in them so that they can fulfil their potential. Equity, diversity and inclusion is important to us. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to give their best in a place where their unique experiences, perspectives and skills are seen as valuable assets. We also prioritise work-life balance and offer hybrid and agile working as well as flexibility around working hours. We are happy to receive part-time applications for all of our job opportunities, and can consider a 0.8FTE working pattern for this role. And we particularly welcome applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
If you’re interested in hearing more, please contact our recruitment partner at Richmond Associates on +44 (0)20 3617 9240 or you can download further details from their website
Closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday, 12 March 2025
Director of Advancement Strategy & Operations employer: University College London
Contact Detail:
University College London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Advancement Strategy & Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with UCL's recent fundraising campaigns and their impact. Understanding the specifics of their £624M campaign will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals and vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in similar roles at UCL or other leading universities. This can provide you with insider insights into the culture and expectations of the Advancement Strategy & Operations team.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your experience in leading teams and driving operational efficiency in your previous roles. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've implemented systems and practices that improved donor engagement and fundraising outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in your leadership style. Share examples of how you've fostered an inclusive environment in past positions, as this aligns with UCL's values and mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Advancement Strategy & Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Director of Advancement Strategy & Operations. Understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications, and think about how your experience aligns with these.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience in higher education advancement. Emphasize your leadership skills, strategic planning abilities, and any successful fundraising campaigns you've led or contributed to.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also conveys your passion for UCL's mission and values. Discuss how you can contribute to their ambitious fundraising goals and enhance their engagement strategies.
Highlight Diversity and Inclusion: Given UCL's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, make sure to address how your unique experiences and perspectives can contribute to a diverse workplace. Share examples of how you've fostered inclusivity in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at University College London
✨Understand UCL's Vision and Values
Before the interview, take some time to familiarize yourself with UCL's mission, values, and recent initiatives. This will help you align your responses with their goals and demonstrate your commitment to their vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a candidate for a senior leadership role, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in leading teams and driving strategic initiatives. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully implemented change or improved operations in a similar context.
✨Prepare for Questions on Fundraising Strategies
Given the focus on fundraising and engagement, anticipate questions about your approach to developing and executing successful fundraising campaigns. Be ready to share innovative ideas and best practices that could benefit UCL's Advancement Strategy.
✨Emphasize Diversity and Inclusion
UCL values equity, diversity, and inclusion. Be sure to articulate how you have fostered an inclusive environment in your previous roles and how you plan to continue this commitment at UCL.
