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Candidate Information Pack | Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Exeter College, Oxford
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CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS EXETER COLLEGE, OXFORD
LETTER FROM THE RECTOR Thank you very much for your interest in Exeter College, Oxford. Exeter is a long-established institution which is proud of its past achievements and traditions; founded in 1314, Exeter is the fourth oldest of Oxford’s colleges. Yet Exeter is also dynamic and aspirational, not least with regard to fundraising and alumni relations. In recent years donors to Exeter have, among other important achievements, made possible the College’s greatest physical expansion in modern times with the construction of Cohen Quad. Located about half a mile from the College’s historic site, Cohen Quad is complementary to it, providing stateof-the arts spaces for performance, meetings, teaching, self-directed group and individual learning, research, socialising, dining and accommodation.
Yet while Cohen Quad was a huge achievement of the fundraising campaign associated with the College’s 700th anniversary, the new facility is a springboard to further achievement rather than an end in itself. Exeter is on the brink of giving final approval to an ambitious new strategic plan, which highlights very contemporary concerns such as increasing the diversity of the undergraduate population and enhancing provision for the nonacademic as well as the academic needs of the College’s graduate and undergraduate students. These goals will require - as will the Plan’s intention to renovate extensively, for the needs of 21st century students, the College’s listed 19th-century Library - significant further fundraising. A high level of regular donations is also required to allow Exeter to maintain its current level of service to students and Fellows alike. Fortunately, Exeter is a very cohesive college with a strong commitment both to alumni relations and to the fundraising which, to date, has depended largely on an especially loyal
Candidate Information Pack | Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Exeter College, Oxford
alumni base. If you join us at Exeter, you will have a major role, as Director of Development and Alumni Relations, in enabling the College to achieve its ambitious goals. You will have my strong support, and that of the Fellows and staff of the College, with whom you will work closely and who understand just how important your endeavours will be to enabling Exeter to thrive in the late 2010’s and 2020’s. You will also have the scope to propose significant innovations drawing on your own experience. In addition, you will have the opportunity to enjoy working as part of the Exeter Family, which links everyone currently in College (including the dedicated and talented team in Development and Alumni Relations) with generations of alumni and friends of Exeter. The academic excellence of our Fellows and students will be great assets for you, and in turn you will be able to contribute to that excellence as its pursuit adapts to the challenging demands on UK higher education in our time.
Rector (Head)
I look forward to meeting you. Professor Sir Rick Trainor
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INTRODUCTION Exeter College was built on philanthropy when it was founded in 1314 by Walter de Stapeldon, and it excels today because of the continuing generosity of the Exeter community over the last 700 years. Alumni, students, Fellows, staff, parents, and friends all continue in Stapeldon’s tradition and support the College each year.
Located in the heart of Oxford, next to the world-famous Bodleian Library, the College is committed to excellence in teaching and research, to admitting the best students regardless of background and to supporting their studies and welfare. As well as teaching from leading academics, Exeter offers generous hardship support, research bursaries, graduate scholarships, a library open round the clock, and an in-house careers and internship programme (unique among Oxford colleges). Each year, Exeter has around 350 undergraduates, 250 graduate students, and 26 visiting students from Williams College in the US. Exeter College is full of history; J.R.R. Tolkien was an undergraduate here, as were Alan Bennett, Martin Amis, Sir Roger Bannister, Reeta Chakrabarti, Grace Jackson, former President Kufuor of Ghana, and former President Kuczynski of Peru. Other alumni include two Supreme Court judges (Australia and Canada) and Nobel Laureate Sydney Brenner. Sir Philip Pullman, another Exonian, based his fictional Jordan College on Exeter. Furthermore,
Candidate Information Pack | Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Exeter College, Oxford
the famous though fictional Inspector Morse collapsed on the lawn in the front quad! The College fosters strong links with the world beyond Oxford through the Rector’s seminar programme, in which prominent public figures talk to groups of Exeter College students and alumni. Exeter also runs special events for its students, such as dinners to celebrate Burns Night, Thanksgiving, Diwali and Chinese New Year. The College values and celebrates diversity. It has women in many
key positions (including the SubRectorship). Its 50 Fellows come from a dozen different countries, as far away as Australia, Canada, China, Nigeria, Trinidad, and the USA, and as close as continental Europe. As you would expect from a close-knit College, there is a caring atmosphere where people look out for each other. With such a supportive and buoyant atmosphere at Exeter, College life is great fun and hugely sociable. For further information, please visit www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/index.html
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DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS The Development Office at Exeter College is well-established and carries a strong reputation. Under the leadership of Dame Frances Cairncross (Rector, i.e. Head of College, 2004-14), Exeter built a highly successful development programme, which conducted an especially fruitful 700th anniversary campaign. This enabled the College to embark upon its largest physical expansion in modern times. With the appointment of Professor Sir Rick Trainor as Rector in 2014, and with an inspiring new quadrangle having been opened in 2017, Exeter College is embarking on a new phase. A new strategic plan will be announced shortly, and a renewed campaign is to be launched including support for the renovation of the College's historic library. The Development Office runs the Annual Fund which raises over £500,000 per annum from a substantial group of alumni (49% of undergraduate alumni supported the College in 2014, the 700th Anniversary Year, which was then the highest percentage of alumni support outside the USA). The
Annual Fund was the foundation of the College’s ambitious £45 million 700th Anniversary Campaign, the success of which was celebrated alongside the opening of the new Cohen Quadrangle two years ago. In addition, the Development Office organises and runs over 40 events each year in Oxford, London, and around the world in order to help foster the sense of an Exeter community. This sense of community is further fostered by a range of annual hard-copy and regular electronic publications, together with opportunities for careers networking and mentoring of current students. The College has a Development Committee consisting mainly of Fellows but also with representatives of the alumni in attendance; it meets regularly and reports once each term to the Governing Body. In order to make recommendations, the Committee reviews the main fundraising and related activities of the Development Office; ensures alignment between Development Office goals and activities and those of the Fellowship; and examines resources available for
Candidate Information Pack | Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Exeter College, Oxford
meeting those goals. A new Advisory Board, chaired by and mainly consisting of alumni, will assist the College in devising and reviewing new fundraising strategies and outreach programmes ahead of the renewed campaign focus. Members of this board will then play an active role in supporting and promoting the renewed campaign with some actively soliciting alongside the Rector, Director of Development & Alumni Relations, and colleagues. More generally, the
Advisory Board will act as a point of contact between the most active alumni and the College. This is a turning point in the institution’s fundraising, and an opportunity for the Rector and Fellows, the staff, students and alumni of the College to ensure that Exeter becomes a centre of ever greater academic excellence, diversity, and student and staff well-being in the 21st century. For further information please visit www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/alumni.html
Philanthropy is extremely important to Exeter College and can: • Attract an ever more diverse array of undergraduates; • Ensure that students in financial need can focus on their studies without financial worries;
• Provide the margin of excellence in teaching through funding ground-breaking research and supporting the tutorial system;
• Continue to fund Exeter’s own Careers Office which provides workshops and internships for students preparing for employment;
• Attract the best graduate students to Exeter through funding graduate scholarships;
• Provide a collegiate environment, including up-to-date student accommodation, appropriate for 21st century study.
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THE OPPORTUNITY Exeter College is seeking to appoint a new Director of Development & Alumni Relations, a key position within the College. Reporting into the Rector and supported by a highly engaged Fellowship, this individual will be joining a community with a deep commitment to fundraising. This role, which involves working closely with the Fellows, carries a Fellowship in recognition of its important contribution to the delivery of the College’s strategic plan. The postholder will hold a portfolio
of key donors and prospects and will create and drive the strategy for all fundraising and alumni relations activity within the College. The Director will grow, nurture and inspire a team of fundraisers and alumni relations professionals to engage alumni and friends of the College from around the world, in order to encourage philanthropic gifts in support of its development goals, thereby enhancing the experience of Fellows, students and staff.
The Director’s experience in developing and implementing effective fundraising strategies and in working with philanthropic individuals will be instrumental in driving the future success of the Development strategy, particularly in relation to identifying new opportunities from core and new alumni donors and from non-alumni whose interests are aligned to the values and objectives of the College. The Director will be a creative thinker with a strong sense of integrity and a values-driven approach to philanthropic fundraising. They will have a proven record in securing philanthropic gifts from potential major benefactors together with experience of developing
Candidate Information Pack | Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Exeter College, Oxford
inspiring campaign messaging, expertise in relationship management, outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, and a passion for the mission of Exeter College. This is an exciting and pivotal time to be joining Exeter. With clearly articulated priorities for future funding, an engaged leadership and a warm alumni body, this position is an outstanding opportunity for a proven fundraiser to play a pivotal role in one of the most successful fundraising teams in Oxford. There is significant potential to take new and innovative approaches, building on the success of the team.
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ORGANISATION CHART EXETER COLLEGE OXFORD RECTOR
SUB-RECTOR
DIRECTOR OF
COLLEGE
FINANCE & ESTATES
DEVELOPMENT &
ACCOUNTANT
BURSAR
ACCOUNTS OFFICE
IT
ACADEMIC DEAN
DOMESTIC BURSAR
ACADEMIC OFFICE
CATERING
ALUMNI RELATIONS
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
LIBRARY
HOUSEKEEPING
HR
MAINTENANCE PORTERS LODGE COHEN QUAD
Candidate Information Pack | Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Exeter College, Oxford
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ORGANISATION CHART DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
JOB TITLE Director of Development & Alumni Relations
REPORTS TO The Rector (and accountable to the Governing Body)
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
RESPONSIBLE FOR
& ALUMNI RELATIONS
• Senior Development Executive [vacant] • Communications Officer • Information & Insight Officer
SENIOR DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE
• Alumni Relations & Events Officer • Development Officer (Alumni Fund) • Development Assistant
PURPOSE COMMUNICATIONS
INFORMATION &
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
OFFICER
INSIGHT OFFICER
(ALUMNI FUND)
DEVELOPMENT
ALUMNI RELATIONS &
ASSISTANT
EVENTS OFFICER
Candidate Information Pack | Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Exeter College, Oxford
The postholder will develop and lead a team of fundraisers and alumni relations professionals in engaging alumni and friends of the College, from around the world, in order to encourage philanthropic support for the College that will (in particular) increase the College’s operating capital (College endowment) and thereby enhance the academic experience of future generations of students and Fellows. The Director will hold a portfolio of key donors and prospects and will drive the strategy for all fundraising and alumni relations activity in the College.
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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • To draft, develop and implement a fresh development strategy for the College which is appropriate for the renewed campaign and vision and which articulates the needs and priorities of the College as embodied in its new strategic plan. • To meet regularly with the Rector to discuss a wide range of issues relating to development and alumni relations. • To identify, cultivate and personally solicit potential benefactors for major gifts (£100k and above) and legacy pledges. • To support the Rector and Fellows, as well as key volunteers, in undertaking major gift and legacy giving approaches.
• To draft Gift Agreements. • To play a key role in the Development Committee and the Advisory Board, developing the agenda and papers in consultation with the Rector and others. • To liaise with the University Development Office on fundraising matters concerning joint prospects, working within the agreed fundraising protocols and promoting strong working relationships. • To liaise with other colleges as appropriate, to represent Exeter College’s views within the Oxford Development and Alumni Relations Forum, and report key activities of this Forum to the Rector and Fellows.
• To oversee all aspects of the day-to-day management of the Development and Alumni Relations Office, including recruitment, development and management of staff.
• In conjunction with the Rector, Finance & Estates Bursar, College Accountant and other relevant stakeholders, to plan and manage the Development budget in line with current College practice, and to ensure that priorities are kept under review and that resources are allocated appropriately.
• To oversee the College’s Annual Fund appeal, and other regular giving activities, and to ensure their success.
• Where appropriate, set up and monitor contracts with external suppliers for the provision of technical support and other services.
• To oversee the organisation and support of Development and Alumni Relations events, and to review as appropriate.
• To remain informed about best fundraising practice, ensuring that Exeter’s fundraising activities are consistent with the Charity Commission’s requirements and other relevant regulations.
• To oversee the Development and Alumni Relations publications programme, including newsletters, emails, website and brochures. • To oversee the development and maintenance of efficient systems within the office in relation to gifts and other donor information. • To report regularly on development business, including recommendations of the Development Committee, to the College’s Governing Body.
In all of the above, it is essential that the postholder builds strong working relationships with Fellows and senior officers within the College, and that they promote a collaborative working culture with a wide range of other departments (and particularly with the Accounts team, the Academic Office, and the Catering and Events teams). The Development & Alumni Relations team functions as part of the broader College community, both contributing to, and relying upon, the support of other teams.
• To report regularly to the Finance & General Purposes Committee on donations received during the financial year, and funds raised. • To ensure the accurate recording of donations received, with specific attention made to recording restricted vs unrestricted income. • To review the Campaign Plan, and to suggest revisions as appropriate.
Candidate Information Pack | Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Exeter College, Oxford
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PERSON SPECIFICATION EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
• A proven record of successful fundraising, demonstrating in particular the ability to raise significant gifts through direct personal approaches and to support others who make personal approaches on behalf of the College.
• Experience of planning, managing and implementing a capital campaign
• A successful record of widening the participation base of donors. • Experience of prospect management, prospect tracking and stewardship programmes. • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain cases cogently in written and oral form. • Demonstrable maturity, particularly the ability to interact easily and professionally with sophisticated and diverse alumni, benefactors and academics of all ages and nationalities. • Ability to work collaboratively with fellow senior officers of the College and sensitivity to academic governance in a collegiate setting.
• Experience of higher education fundraising. • Experience of working with volunteer boards. • Experience of managing telephone campaigns. • Professional knowledge of tax efficient charitable giving from various parts of the world. • Strong IT skills. • Knowledge of the national context of university funding.
• A record of successful leadership and team management, including budgeting. • Experience of running and/or overseeing the maintenance of a comprehensive and effective relational database. • The ability and imagination to develop ways of enhancing the College’s relationship with its alumni. • Proven oversight skills, with commitment to the detail needed successfully to set up both large and small alumni events in diverse locations. • Educated to degree standard, or equivalent through professional experience or qualifications. • Clear sympathy with the aims and values of higher education, including those of Exeter College and the University of Oxford, and an ability to engender this in others. • Willingness to travel extensively abroad, as well as in the UK, and to attend evening and weekend functions on a regular basis. • Proven ability to take a strategic overview, as well as to implement plans at a practical level. • Enthusiasm, flexibility, creativity, self-motivation, strong prioritisation and organisation skills, and resilience.
Candidate Information Pack | Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Exeter College, Oxford
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TERMS & CONDITIONS SALARY Highly competitive and commensurate with experience.
FO R F URT HE R INFO RMAT IO N A ND TO A PPLY FO R TH I S RO LE, PLEA S E C LI C K H E R E
WORKING HOURS The College is looking for the very best candidate and will look flexibly at working arrangements on an individual basis. ANNUAL LEAVE 30 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays.
EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY Exeter College welcomes diversity among its staff, students and visitors, recognising the particular contributions to the achievement of the College’s mission which can be made by individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Exeter College aims to provide an inclusive environment which promotes equality, values diversity and
PENSION
maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are
Contributory pension scheme (USS).
respected to assist them in reaching their full potential. Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant or member
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
of staff will be treated less favourably than another because of his or her age, disability, gender reassignment, race,
12 months NOTICE PERIOD
religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. The College will make such adjustments to the application procedure, workplace and working arrangements as are reasonable to accommodate suitably qualified disabled
3 months (upon successful completion of probationary period).
applicants.
RELOCATION ALLOWANCE
https://www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/equality-and-diversity/
The College may, in certain circumstances, be able to contribute towards relocation expenses.
The prospective employee must be eligible to work in the UK, and the appointment will be subject to provision of proof
FELLOWSHIP
review of a completed medical questionnaire which is to the satisfaction of the College.
This role carries a Fellowship in recognition of its important contribution to the delivery of the College’s strategic plan. FURTHER BENEFITS INCLUDE: • Free meal daily whilst on duty • Membership of the Senior Common Room (as a Fellow of Exeter College) • Enhanced sick pay, maternity/ paternity/ adoption pay, etc. • Season ticket loans for bus/ train travel • Access to discounted healthcare and dental care
The College’s policies on equality are available from the College’s website:
of the right to work in the UK before employment commences. The appointment will also be subject to satisfactory
DATA PROTECTION All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their suitability for the post. Information regarding the way we process your ‘personal data’, as part of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act, can be found in the Privacy Policy published on our website at https://www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/governance/.
Candidate Information Pack | Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Exeter College, Oxford
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