Development Director Downing College, University of Cambridge Candidate Information Pack
in partnership with
Letter from the Master
Dear Candidate, Thank you for your interest in the position of Development Director at Downing College. We are a self-governing educational community of around 650 students, 50 fellows, 9,000 alumni, and 165 staff. Our interests are focused on excellence in education and research, and we are funded through income generated by fees, endowment, conference business, and development. The College’s Development Programme is central to its activities and aspirations. It has enjoyed notable successes in recent years, raising sums in the range £2–5m per year. The Master and Fellows are committed to maintain and extend this achievement. Our new Director will oversee and enhance the Programme, and will be elected to a Fellowship of the College. As Director, you will lead an experienced team dedicated to the entwined activities of fundraising and alumni relations. You will design and implement strategies to support a diverse community of alumni, and will attract donations in furtherance of the ambitions of the College. You will work with the Master, Senior Bursar, and other Fellows in the development of relations with donors, and will make regular reports to the Governing Body of the College. As in all activities of the College, there is emphasis placed upon teamwork. This is an exciting opportunity with immense potential, and we welcome your application. Professor Geoffrey Grimmett Master
Candidate Information Pack Development Director, Downing College, University of Cambridge
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Introduction
Downing College in the University of Cambridge is a
Home to about 650 students and 50 Fellows, all
distinctive academic community: diverse, close-knit
supported by over 165 staff, Downing is known as a
and committed. Founded in 1800, it is the seventeenth
welcoming, scholarly community. Originally formed
College of the University, the only College to be added
‘for the encouragement of the study of Law and
to the University between 1596 and 1869, and it is
Medicine and of the cognate subjects of Moral and
often described as the oldest of the new Colleges and
Natural Science’, it now accepts students in all subjects
the newest of the old. It is known as a friendly College
taught in the University of Cambridge. Its Fellows are
and possesses one of the largest campus spaces in
dedicated and enthusiastic teachers whose research
the heart of Cambridge city centre, which combines
aims to expand horizons and open new vistas of
fine open gardens and beautiful neo-classical buildings
knowledge. The College’s students live, learn and work
close to many University faculties and departments.
together within the supportive College environment.
Famous alumni include Michael Atherton, Quentin
Downing has extensive student accommodation on the
Blake, John Cleese, Andy Hamilton, Thandie Newton
main site. This is unusual in Cambridge and helps build
and Trevor Nunn.
the strong sense of community and opportunity which
The purpose of the College is to provide a world-
makes Downing remarkable.
class education for those students with the most potential in each subject, whatever their means or social background. The College is one of thirty-one Colleges within the University of Cambridge, which is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. Each College is autonomous, self-governing and distinctive. Candidate Information Pack Development Director, Downing College, University of Cambridge
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Introduction
Students thrive in the supportive and intellectually challenging environment of a College firmly dedicated to the tutorial system; but Downing students also pursue a range of other interests outside their course. There is a rich cultural life at Downing, with a vibrant music tradition and the outstanding facilities of the Howard Theatre, the new Chapel organ installed in 2015, and The Heong Gallery, which recently celebrated its first anniversary. Complementing this, the College has earned a robust reputation across many sports, with rowing and rugby having particularly strong associations. Downing graduates around the world have forged successful careers in fields such as law, medicine, journalism, science, finance, public service and the arts; all prepared and inspired by their time at the College. For further information about the College, please visit http://www.dow.cam.ac.uk
Candidate Information Pack Development Director, Downing College, University of Cambridge
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Development at Downing College Downing has one of the longest established and highly regarded development offices in Oxbridge. Founded in 1996, it has had significant success, recently exceeding its £20 million goal for the Catalysis Campaign, which was designed to bridge the funding-gap between the College’s endowment income and its operating expenses, the result of a poor endowment at its founding. Downing is committed to philanthropic fundraising to ensure that it continues as a pre-eminent centre for undergraduate teaching, postgraduate research, sporting, musical and theatrical talent. The College is firmly committed to enhancing the education and facilities available to its students through fundraising. Ongoing funding changes in Higher Education mean the College will be increasingly reliant on its endowment income and donations to provide an excellent Cambridge education to the most talented students, regardless of their financial resources. The College’s Development Office is responsible for all development activity within Downing; namely, fundraising and alumni relations, with associated support activity, such as the maintenance of the
In the past four years, philanthropic income has been on average £3.2m per year of which approximately £500,000 comes from the Regular Giving programme (which has an average participation rate of around 19% per cent) and the remainder from legacies and major gifts. There are 7,000 active alumni with whom the College has generally warm relationships. Fundraising continues while the College plans the next campaign, which is expected to be significantly bigger. This is an excellent time to join Downing because it is envisaged the Development Director will be at the centre of planning the new campaign from the beginning.
development database and the alumni website. In addition to the Development Director, there are currently four (3.75 FTE) team members. They provide support in major gift fundraising, a legacy programme and society, a regular giving programme, which includes an annual telephone campaign, an international programme of events, prospect research, gift administration, website and email communications, and publications. They also manage alumni volunteers and groups in the UK and around the world. In addition, the Development Office works with the CFO of
The new Development Director will also be responsible
the Downing Enterprise to run its annual competition,
for honing the strategy to maximise fundraising
which offers seed funding to student and alumni
potential related to the projects, prioritise targets and
businesses. It is funded and judged by alumni.
lead the major-gift activity. The successful candidate will join one of the world’s leading academic institutions to manage a well-run and effective office, with the potential to raise gifts at a transformational level. S/he will bring innovative approaches to current activities, lead the major fundraising efforts and plan future strategic directions. This is an exciting opportunity for an outstanding major gifts fundraiser.
Candidate Information Pack Development Director, Downing College, University of Cambridge
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The Post The Director of Development will have overall responsibility for setting and delivering Downing College’s development strategy, and embedding
Purpose of the Job 1. To implement and manage the College’s
fundraising and philanthropy throughout the College’s
fundraising and alumni relations strategy and
community and beyond.
to be the College’s principal fundraiser.
The Director will be responsible for cultivating and
2. To work closely with the Master, the Senior Bursar, the Senior Tutor and other members
raising major gifts for Downing College, and for
of the College, the new (yet to be appointed)
stewarding new and existing major donors through
Campaign Board, with the aim of achieving
face-to-face meetings and regular communication.
the College’s fundraising and charitable
The Director will also have overall responsibility for the
objectives.
College’s comprehensive alumni relations programme, ensuring it continues to evolve to meet the needs of alumni.
Responsible to
The Director will lead the Development Office and will
•
The Master for strategic issues
•
The Senior Bursar for all budgetary and
be responsible for ensuring it achieves its strategic objectives and specific targets to deliver philanthropic income. Some travel will be inherent in the role, with the
management issues •
The College Governing body
Development Director undertaking face-to-face solicitation both in the UK and overseas. This is a rare [and special] opportunity for an outstanding individual with the appropriate skills to lead fundraising at Downing College, building on a highly regarded programme and leading a respected office. The post will suit a highly successful and energetic fundraising professional with an innovative and creative approach, and excellent management and strategic planning abilities.
© Tim Rawle and Louis Sinclair Candidate Information Pack Development Director, Downing College, University of Cambridge
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Main Duties and Responsibilities Specific Responsibilities 1. Act as the principal gifts fundraiser, working
8. Manage the Development Office, including four
with a portfolio of approximately seventy five
support staff, the Department’s budget, the Raiser’s
of the College’s top prospects in the UK and
Edge database, and all internal office systems,
internationally.
observing at all times the requirements of the Data
2. Plan and undertake a programme of personal visits to identified principal prospects with the aim of securing major donations, working with the Master, Senior Bursar and the new Campaign Board. 3. Manage and provide guidance to the staff-member responsible for the major gift programme, including prospect identification, research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, using systems and strategies already in place and introducing new ones as appropriate. 4. Manage and provide guidance to the staff-member responsible for all other aspects of the College’s fundraising strategy, including the Regular Giving
Protection Act and appropriate employment and Health and Safety legislation. 9. Play an active role as Secretary of the Development Committee; attend meetings of the Governing Body, presenting regular reports; attend meetings of the Segreants Trust, the Heong Art Gallery Management Working Group and other bodies as necessary. 10. Maintain a good relationship with the Downing Association and its Officers, ensuring that the activities of the Development Office and the Association are compatible and complementary. 11. Play an active role as a member of the
Programme which includes an annual telephone
Cambridge Colleges Development Group (CCDG),
campaign, targeted mailings and crowd funding,
to remain informed of Development-related
online giving and other methods as appropriate,
issues in Cambridge, including issues relating
ensuring that every alumnus is asked to give at
to Cambridge University Development Office
least once a year. This also includes oversight
(CUDAR) and Cambridge in America (CAm). Ensure
of Downing Arts, which has a membership base
a constructive and mutually beneficial working
of alumni and non-alumni, in support of the
relationship with CUDAR and CAm. Maintain
performing and visual arts in College.
membership of CASE and attend conferences from
5. Implement and manage an ongoing programme of alumni relations activities and communications, with the objective of increasing participation and giving rates, utilising information technology and social media. 6. Manage and provide guidance to the staff-member responsible for the legacy programme and its recognition society, the 1749 Society, to include the provision of basic advice on making bequests,
time to time. 12. Build constructive relationships at all levels within the College. 13. Promote the general interests of the College amongst former and current members, and other potential supporters. 14. Undertake any other duties which may arise from the character and nature of the post.
not only in the UK but internationally, as well as the stewardship of those who have made legacy pledges. 7. Manage and provide guidance to the staff-member responsible for the comprehensive stewardship programme. Provide fundraising assistance by way of seeking and garnering exhibition sponsorship, as well as ongoing support for the Heong Gallery from companies and individuals. Candidate Information Pack Development Director, Downing College, University of Cambridge
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The Person The following criteria are appropriate to this post: Knowledge and Experience •
Knowledge of principal and major-gift fundraising.
•
A proven track-record in fundraising.
•
Ability to develop and implement effective strategic plans and deliver them operationally.
•
A strong intellectual capacity with experience of developing fundraising ‘case for support’ statements.
•
Credibility with the highest calibre of volunteer supporter (including the Fellowship, leading public
Personal Skills and Abilities
figures and alumni). Must also be able to relate
•
well to students, the academic community and members of the administrative staff.
An energetic and strategic thinker with political acumen.
•
The patience, tact, and diplomacy needed to form
•
Knowledge of alumni fundraising.
and manage relationships with staff, students,
•
Ability to lead and encourage initiatives through to
alumni and others who have a stake or interest in
successful conclusions with minimal supervision.
Downing.
•
Experience of developing fundraising publications
•
donors and comfort with the act of asking.
and communications. •
IT and database literacy. Candidates should have
•
•
An ability to travel to Asia and the United States for up to two weeks away at a time.
a working knowledge of a relational fundraising database.
Desire to make personal visits to prospective
•
A confident, out-going personality with the
An appreciation of financial management and
presence and intellect to operate effectively at a
ability to manage budgets and financial forecasts.
senior level.
•
A first degree or equivalent.
•
Experience of working within an educational
•
The ability to understand the needs, challenges and opportunities of Downing’s community and its external constituency, and to integrate fully with
environment and an understanding of the issues
both.
facing universities is desirable. •
Outstanding team-working skills; self-motivated and results driven.
•
An entrepreneurial approach and an ability to think creatively, with a positive approach to problem-solving.
•
First class oral and written communication and networking skills; persuading and influencing skills.
•
Client-focused with an absolute appreciation of the need to achieve agreed targets.
•
A commitment to the vision and values of Downing and ability to enthuse others.
This job description may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder and in the light of changes within the College. Candidate Information Pack Development Director, Downing College, University of Cambridge
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Terms and Conditions Salary
Holidays
Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
The postholder shall be entitled to 33 days annual
Hours of Work
leave, including Bank Holidays.
This is a full-time post. The postholder is required
Family-Friendly policies
to work such hours as are necessary to carry out the
Downing College operates maternity, paternity,
duties to the satisfaction of the College. This includes
shared parental leave, adoptive, compassionate and
some out-of-office hours working. Within the needs
emergency leave policies.
of the service, the College offers flexibility in hours through a flexi-time scheme. Fellowship
Childcare Vouchers Childcare Vouchers can be used for registered childcare facilities such as non-University nursery fees,
The postholder will be elected to a Fellowship. All
before and after school clubs, holiday play schemes,
Fellows are Trustees of the College and are expected
child-minders, nannies and crèche facilities.
to participate in the governance and communal life of Downing College. Equal Opportunities Downing College wholeheartedly supports the principle of equal opportunities in employment and opposes all forms of discrimination. Pension
University Card The postholder shall be entitled to various local discounts on presenting a University of Cambridge card. Private Healthcare The postholder shall be entitled to join a medical and dental insurance scheme.
Fellows are automatically enrolled into the USS Pension scheme. Probationary Period The appointment is subject to a six-month probationary period. Retirement Age A retirement age of 67 years applies to Fellows. Work-related Travel The role involves significant travel, including overseas.
Fitness Room Downing College offers access to a small but well equipped Fitness Room. Meals The Fellowship attracts dining privileges. Car Parking There is free on-site car parking for Fellows and their partners. Salary Reviews Salaries are reviewed by the College on an annual basis.
Application Details Please apply by submitting a copy of your Curriculum
For an informal conversation prior to applying to this
Vitae (CV) and a covering letter highlighting your
role, please call either Joanna Logan on 07885 658 764
suitability for the position by email to:
or Nicola Reames on 07787 428 832.
claire.reynolds@execucare.com
Candidate Information Pack Development Director, Downing College, University of Cambridge
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