Job Details

This is an exciting time to be joining the University of Sussex, with a new Vice Chancellor and an ambitious programme of development, plus a growing team that works collegiately.

Reporting to the Head of Development, the Development Manager will devise and implement strategies for recruiting, retaining and expanding the number of major gift donors (£5k+) to the University.

The Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) is part of the Communications, Marketing and Advancement Division within Sussex. DARO is responsible for the University’s philanthropic fundraising and for developing and maintaining excellent relationships with the growing international community of alumni and friends of the University.  As well as engaging with an active network of more than 120,000 alumni worldwide, the team is also responsible for organising Sussex’s corporate events and graduation ceremonies, which are flagship milestones in the University’s calendar.

The University of Sussex is undergoing a period of significant change to deliver its strategic objectives and respond to the impact of the global pandemic and current societal challenges such as environmental degradation, social injustice and growing inequality. Through the institution’s strategic framework Sussex 2025, the University’s vision, values and future ambitions are set out, providing an articulation of how Sussex wishes to enhance its profile and build engagement with a wide range of stakeholders locally, nationally and internationally.

Creative thinking, pedagogic diversity, intellectual challenge and interdisciplinarity have always been fundamental to a Sussex education. The University’s goal is to deliver teaching and learning programmes that are informed by current research, are attractive to students from all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, and that deliver skills for life.

To be successful in either of these roles you will bring strong experience of frontline fundraising, including a history of soliciting, closing and stewarding gifts.  Your proven ability to understand and articulate complex projects and programmes to a non-specialist audience will enable you to build strong relationships with the University’s supporters and ensure your success within the role.

If you believe you have the skills, aptitude and commitment to our cause, and are committed to our values and aims, we would like to hear from you.

In order for us to process your application we require a CV and cover letter.  Please refer to the Information Pack which is available to download at the top of this page.