Director of Development Operations and Alumni Engagement at Durham University

Durham, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

07 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

06 Feb, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Strategic Leadership, Development Operations, Alumni Engagement, Fundraising, Campaign Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Team Leadership, Collaboration, Performance Management, Governance, Communication, Coaching, Metrics, Continuous Improvement, Relationship Building, Operational Excellence

Industry

Higher Education

Description

Director of Development Operations and Alumni Engagement Location: Durham, UK Salary: Competitive + excellent benefits Durham University is seeking an outstanding senior leader to appoint as Director of Development Operations and Alumni Engagement, a pivotal role within the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO). This position will provide strategic, integrated leadership across Advancement Operations, Stewardship, Campaign Management and Alumni Engagement — translating institutional priorities into coordinated delivery and measurable fundraising and engagement success. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you will play a central role in driving income growth, diversifying fundraising streams and delivering a compelling, high-quality experience for alumni and donors worldwide. As a member of DARO’s Senior Management Team, you will help shape strategy while ensuring operational excellence and strong governance underpin every aspect of our work. In this role, you will: Provide strategic leadership for Development Operations, Stewardship, Campaign Management and Alumni Engagement, aligning activity with DARO and University priorities. Set clear objectives and performance standards, driving income growth and diversification across priority fundraising streams. Co-develop income stream strategies with senior colleagues and lead the delivery of Durham’s alumni engagement strategy. Play a leading, externally facing role with key alumni and donor stakeholders, working closely with some of the University’s most influential supporters. Oversee the strategic deployment of alumni communications, events, volunteering, benefits, and recognition programmes, ensuring best practice stewardship and compliance. Contribute centrally to campaign governance, including case development, gift opportunity design, and campaign narrative. Lead, recruit, coach and performance-manage high-performing teams through a clear metrics and outcomes framework. Build strong partnerships with academic and professional services colleagues to maximise institutional impact and foster a collaborative, results-driven culture. We’re looking for someone who can: Demonstrate senior-level experience in development operations, alumni engagement, or advancement within a complex organisation. Balance strategic vision with operational delivery, ensuring excellence in systems, processes, and stakeholder experience. Build credibility and influence with senior leaders, alumni, and donors at the highest level. Lead and motivate teams through change, embedding a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. This is a rare opportunity to play a defining role in one of the UK’s leading universities — strengthening lifelong alumni relationships, enabling philanthropic success, and ensuring Durham’s ambitions are delivered with impact, integrity, and excellence. We operate hybrid working (minimum of two days per week onsite, subject to business demands). At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women, and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. For further information about the role and the Person Specification, please view our candidate brochure. How to Apply We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our E-Recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What you need to submit A CV: and A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification detailed in the candidate brochure. Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Katie Harland-Edminson, Chief Development Officer, katie.harland-edminson@durham.ac.uk. We are working in partnership with GatenbySanderson to recruit to this post. By submitting an application, you consent to your personal details being shared with GatenbySanderson who may be in contact with you to discuss the role further. Please visit the following links in order to find out more information about the use of personal information provided by candidates to the University and GatenbySanderson: Privacy Notices - Durham University Privacy Statement – GatenbySanderson When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Responsibilities

The Director will provide strategic leadership across Development Operations, Stewardship, Campaign Management, and Alumni Engagement, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities. They will also oversee alumni communications and engagement strategies while driving income growth and diversification.