Philanthropy Manager

Role Description

Founded on principles of excellence, equality and opportunity for all, the University of York opened in 1963 with just 230 students. In 2021 it is the home of more than 20,000 students across more than 30 academic departments and research centres. Our vision is to be a university for public good and our Strategy is built around our commitment to meeting four Strategic Objectives over the coming 10 years.

York wasn't an identikit University in the 1960s, so it shouldn't be now. Our new University Strategy 2030 is focused around four key aims that blur the lines between our research, teaching, support and community aspirations. This new vision, combined with the success of York Unlimited, the campaign for York have raised the bar for philanthropic fundraising and alumni engagement activity at the University York. Our mission over the next 10 years is  to increase the value of philanthropic income to the University, and second, to launch a new pioneering proposition for our alumni community: the University of York for Life. 

The fundamental reason for doing this is to deliver the activities that make us a University for Public Good.

With ambitious plans to grow our income, building on the success of the University’s first transformational fundraising campaign York  Unlimited, there is no better time to join the team.

About the Role

The role of Philanthropy Manager is to significantly increase philanthropic income from mass participation donors to the University of York. You will help build and diversify a strong regular giving and community giving programme through managing our very own crowdfunding platform, delivering our flagship community events and overseeing the delivery of our Giving Day, direct mail and telephone fundraising campaigns.

This programme is the bedrock of the university’s individual giving programmes and requires an energetic, dynamic, conscientious and highly visible individual to champion mass participation giving.

 With the support of the OPPA’s Data and Insights team, the role of Philanthropy Manager (Regular Giving & Community Giving) is to build a broad pipeline of donors and to help create pathways for long term giving.

Building on the success of the University’s first transformational fundraising campaign York  Unlimited, you will raise funds for priority projects tackling inequality  including student scholarships and research programmes.  

This is a rewarding role for a great relationship builder, that requires persuasiveness and tenacity to get results. The post holder will work on KPIs and performance measures based on cash and pledge income, pipeline development and progression of donors. 

We are looking for a team member who will bring an excellent understanding of regular giving, with a knowledge of data driven and donor centred fundraising. You should have experience in delivering fundraising appeals alongside being able to confidently manage and support a group of student, staff and alumni fundraisers.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• Relationship management
  • Cultivate cross-team collaborations in order to develop effective fundraising plans for a diverse portfolio of projects that utilise community fundraising methods alongside major giving e.g. Giving Day and YuStart campaigns..
  • Identify opportunities for donor progression to regular giving, mid level giving and legacy gifts, in particular.  
  
  Fundraising Communications and Campaigns
  • Lead the University’s community giving and regular giving activities, including flagship events such as Giving Day, Challenge Week, The Great York Walk as well as our direct mail and telephone fundraising campaigns.
  • Manage and develop the University’s crowdfunding platform, YuStart, including training, project moderation, performance monitoring, and third-party partner relationships.
  
  Monitor data and performance
  • Monitor and report on campaign and fund performance, using data-driven insights to refine strategy and improve outcomes.
  • Work to metrics and KPIs based on cash and pledge value, including  demonstrating a robust long term pipeline of new donor acquisition.

Interview date: To be confirmed

 For an informal discussion about the post, please contact: OPPA Director, Mary Haworth on mary.haworth@york.ac.uk

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork