Deputy Director of Development

Job Title: Deputy Director of Development

Client: Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge

Location: Sidney Sussex College with some hybrid working

Job Type: Permanent

Responsibilities

• Analyse and interpret a range of data to assess performance and effectiveness, provide strategic insight, and ensure appropriate acquisition and retention levels.
• Lead and strengthen all revenue operations, ensuring that gifts are processed, reconciled, and thanked in an efficient and accurate manner, and that gift agreements are completed for all donations over £5,000.
• Oversee the workload of the Database & Gifts Officer, Research & Data Officer, and Development Assistant to ensure efficiencies and management of priorities, and ensure compliance with College protocols and data laws, and ensure processes and communications conform to GDPR requirements.
• Direct and develop the database strategy; main contact for Blackbaud, our CRM provider to ensure efficiencies, utility and upskilling across the team.
• Adhere to best practice in prospect cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. This will involve collaboration with other development staff across the University in line with agreed principles and protocols.
• Support the Database & Gifts Officer/Research & Data Officer in producing the Annual Development Questionnaire and reports for the Development Director, Development Committee, College Council and the Governing Body.

Stewardship & Donor Relations

• Lead and strengthen the College's stewardship programme and, working with the Data & Gifts Officer and Development Assistant, ensure that reports and other communications are sent to major donors in a timely manner.
• Oversee arrangements with other team members for targeted dinners/receptions/events, maximising existing events and College high tables among others, for major gift prospects and donors as part of cultivation and stewardship activities, including the 1596 Foundation, Master's Circle, etc.

Legacies

• Lead and develop the strategy for legacy fundraising which seeks to generate circa 20% of the College's annual philanthropic income.
• Proactively identify and approach prospective legacy donors, and respond to legacy enquiries, offering guidance and encouragement as appropriate.
• Co-ordinate the Lady Frances Sidney Circle event, to recognise and thank legacy donors during their lifetime.
• Design, produce and update a legacy brochure and other communications; update and maintain legacy pages on the Sidney website.

Fundraising

• Play a crucial role in ensuring that philanthropic income for the College's core priorities rises in a steady and sustainable manner year on year.
• Build and manage a portfolio of 75-100 current and prospective donors and legacy pledgers, with capacity to donate or bequeath between £10,000 - £500,000.
• Writing bespoke proposals and gift agreements where required.
• Achieve an agreed annual meeting target (phone and/or face-to-face) and personal income targets.
• With the Development Director and team, develop and strengthen an articulated donor pipeline and prospect discovery for the office.
• Support the Director in developing a five-year major gift strategy that focuses on acquisition and retention, and increasing participation rates across targeted countries, ages, and subjects (among other segmentations).

Operational & Staff Management

• Deputise for the Development Director and manage the day-to-day running in the Development Director's absence.
• Management responsibility for the Database & Gifts Officer, Research & Data Officer, and Development Assistant, along with other casual staff and interns.
• Ensure that the office runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis, that resources are best allocated and that systems and process are fit for purpose.
• Take minutes and actively contribute to the Development Committee, alongside representing the Development Director and the Development Office in general.

Other

• Identify and implement strategies to make efficiencies across all department activity.
• Regularly report activity and progress with the Development Director and facilitate team meetings.
• Regular liaison and integration with CUDAR's fundraising team, and across other colleges.
• Attend events and represent the College in Cambridge and elsewhere in the UK and overseas, in a way which effectively promotes the College and enhances its reputation.
• Be part of the College's appraisal scheme, undertake training as required, and be responsible for your own health and safety in the workplace.
• Undertake any other reasonable request or duties commensurate with your post.

Person Specification Experience and Qualifications

• Demonstrable fundraising experience (trusts and foundations, legacies, major gifts or regular giving) within a charity, higher education or equivalent organisation; or experience in a customer relations or stewardship role working with high-net-worth individuals; or significant experience as a project manager.
• Experience of managing a small and diverse team and a deep understanding of the 'hands-on' approach needed.
• Good general level of education, including a degree or equivalent.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Experience of events organisation.
• Desirable Knowledge of databases, gift processing, and best practice for revenue operations, including tax-efficient giving and legacy fundraising in both UK and international markets.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrable leadership skills.
• Outstanding level of attention to detail and accuracy, and ability to deal with confidential matters and act with discretion.
• Capable of managing a diverse workload, often under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Ability to think tactically about the relations between potential donors and fundraising goals.
• Ability to act independently and decisively on behalf of College when the situation demands.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise with people at all levels and backgrounds, combined with an understanding of social etiquette and cultural sensitivity.
• Capable of representing the College at the most senior level.

Attitudes

• Dynamic and proactive individual who inspires the confidence, enthusiasm, and support of colleagues, alumni and donors.
• Collaborative, team player.
• Adaptable, flexible and prepared to work non-regular hours and to travel.
• Be comfortable with arranging meetings and soliciting gifts.
• Have an interest in, and support for, the ethos and aims of Sidney Sussex College and higher educational fundraising.