Development Director
Merton College, University of Oxford
Highly Competitive Salary

Merton College seeks to appoint an outstanding fundraiser into the role of Development Director, a figurehead for alumni engagement and fundraising across the College. This is a key senior, strategic position for the College and comes at an exciting time, with Professor Irene Tracey recently appointed as the College’s 51st Warden.

A vibrant and diverse intellectual community, Merton is renowned for its rich history of excellence in teaching and research. Whether it is contributing to great works of literature, such as TS Eliot or JRR Tolkien, solving Fermat’s Last Theorem, designing novel malarial vaccines or via impact through the array of glittering careers held by its alumni, Mertonians take pride in using their considerable talents to make lasting impact in the world for the benefit of society.

Merton’s buildings and grounds are widely acknowledged as among the most beautiful in Oxford. Nestled in a quiet location with stunning views over the meadows, it has an understated confidence. Merton is, unashamedly, an intellectual powerhouse but it is not in any sense arrogant. It is a wise and deeply respected College within the broader academic community.

Merton has engaged its alumni now for more than thirty years. The Development Office was one of the earliest in Oxford. The College is now in contact with around 5,800 of its 6,500 living alumni and the participation rate of the College’s alumni is impressive. In 2014, Merton College’s 750th Anniversary Campaign raised over £30 million; the College’s alumni and friends have continued to support the College in the years since the successful end of the Campaign.

Leading a dedicated team of six, the postholder will be responsible for devising and implementing a creative fundraising strategy, which aims to deliver the College’s ambitious funding priorities. The main responsibility of the role will be to build and grow key relationships between the College, its members and other potential benefactors in support of a range of development goals that the successful candidate will be a part of shaping.

The College sees this appointment as an exciting and challenging opportunity for a strategic, energetic, committed and imaginative fundraiser. Reporting to the Warden and Governing Body, the successful candidate will bring an innovative approach to developing high-value relationships to deliver philanthropic income. As the College’s lead fundraiser, you will carry your own portfolio of major gifts prospects and will have an important role in the solicitation of six- and seven-figure donations. You will be expected to spend a significant part of your time meeting with current or prospective donors in the UK and overseas.

The successful candidate will be a confident communicator with well-developed interpersonal skills and an enjoyment of people. You will have a strong sense of integrity and a proven track record in securing philanthropic gifts, together with experience of a variety of styles and types of fundraising campaigns, expertise in relationship management, outstanding organisational and management skills and a passion for the mission of Merton College.

This is a unique chance to join one of the world’s leading academic institutions at a pivotal point as it embarks on the next phase of its 750-year history. With the recent arrival of the new Warden and endless possibilities for fundraising, this presents as a true career-defining opportunity for an exceptional individual.

The College recognises the importance of this position and a Fellowship will be awarded to the successful candidate.