Current opportunities

Associate Head of Philanthropy (Principal Gifts)

For informal enquiries, please contact Doris Holtby via doris.holtby@warwick.ac.uk

This is an exciting time to be joining the Development and Alumni Engagement Team (DAE) at the University of Warwick.

We have entered the planning stages of a new major philanthropic campaign, which will significantly scale the ambition for the University’s fundraising and engagement activity.

As a team, we have a major role to play in helping break down barriers to education and advancing research addressing some of our planet's biggest challenges.

Our donor community creates lasting value in society and the economy through supporting students, research and facilities at Warwick.

We’re looking for someone who has a passion for making a difference. You will be someone who can connect with global philanthropists to advance some of the most important research and education ambitions in the UK. The Associate Head of Philanthropy (Principal Gifts) will be responsible for managing and developing our portfolio of top £1m prospects, delivering transformational income for the University.

If this sounds like an exciting challenge, then we look forward to meeting with you.

We know that attracting the highest quality staff is fundamental to achieving our aims. We’re committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection practice is professional, fair and effective. Find out more at https://warwick.ac.uk/services/socialinclusion/

About you:

The Associate Head of Philanthropy (Principal Gifts) will lead and develop a portfolio of Warwick’s top £1m prospects that will deliver new levels of transformational income for the University.

In this role, you will secure funding for a combination of project-led and donor-led fundraising opportunities, and on the latter, will be capable of convening groups of academics to develop bespoke projects that meet donor’s interests.

This role will require self-awareness, and the capacity for problem-solving through lateral thinking. You will regularly work with senior levels of university leadership and administration and be expected to lead donor meetings where necessary.

You will ensure that all prospects in their portfolio have been screened against the Fundraising Ethics Committee’s six conditions for gift acceptance and are GDPR compliant. You will also help build the Development Office’s profile by maintaining relationships with senior stakeholders across the university.

This role will require you to work within a hot-desking space within the Development and Alumni Engagement team on campus and has the flexibility for hybrid working.

Principal Accountabilities

Deliver multiple gifts at the £1 million + level.
Work with senior academics and university leaders to develop bespoke projects in response to donor-led opportunities.
Build a balanced Principal Gift portfolio of around 40 prospects with a minimum net worth of £100m and manage them into an effective balance across all stages of cultivation.
Responsible for delivering a comprehensive series of KPIs relating to quarterly meetings, annual asks, and income, to be determined in consultation with line manager.
Responsible for leading the development of outstanding prospect proposals and stewardship materials.
Demonstrate excellence in all forms of communication with donors, influencers, and Warwick stakeholders.
Responsible for ensuring that PG prospects and donors are compliant with Fundraising Ethics Committee’s criteria for gift acceptability and GDPR.

For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the attached job description.

CLOSING DATE: Thursday 6 November 2025 at 23:55 (BST)

INTERVIEW DATE: Monday 17 November 2025

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Student Fundraiser 2026

This is an opportunity only for current Warwick Students

For informal enquiries, please contact Seb Sinclair Seb.Sinclair@warwick.ac.uk

Being a Student Fundraiser involves contacting Warwick graduates (alumni) and friends of Warwick (donors and community members) by telephone. We want to maintain a strong relationship with them, talk about our current fundraising projects and inspire them to support these projects with a donation. Fundraisers also provide the latest Warwick news, information on alumni benefits and ensure we have up to date contact details.

Duties and responsibilities

Be an advocate for Warwick, conveying a positive impression of the University.
Be an ambassador for the fundraising team, raising the profile of the team’s work across campus and in the wider community.
Work effectively with other members of the Student Fundraising Team to further the development of the Telephone Campaign.
Demonstrate a sincere understanding of and commitment to the act of charitable giving.
Effectively communicate Warwick’s activities, accomplishments and goals.
Represent the University in a professional manner and handle each phone call with courtesy, tact and sensitivity.
Update graduates’ details as necessary with accuracy and confidentiality, in accordance with Data Protection Principles.
Work to achieve daily and weekly targets as determined by the Individual Giving Officer.
Develop techniques to improve your efficiency and performance, deal with negotiations and develop the structure and style of your calls.
Share your experiences, techniques and skills with other members of the fundraising team to help the team progress as a whole.
Display an enthusiastic, responsible and committed attitude towards the role and the team.
Adhere to employment expectations and performance standards including working 3 of the 3-hour shifts per week throughout the campaign.
Fundraisers should be asking for and negotiating donations in each call, but we do not believe in high pressure sales. Our focus is on building strong, life-long relationships with graduates and friends and inspiring them to give to Warwick, if not now, in the future.

CLOSING DATE: Thursday 15 January 2026 at 23:55 (BST)

INTERVIEW DATE: Saturday 31 January 2026

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