The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Department: Campaigns and Alumni Relations

Contract type: 12-month contact / Hybrid / Flexible options considered.

The Campaigns and Alumni Relations Office (CAR) at the University of Sheffield is dedicated to inspiring alumni (former students) to make philanthropic gifts, as well as giving their time and expertise. A donation to the University of Sheffield can change lives, from supporting students in financial need to furthering world-leading research. 

As part of CAR, the Individual Giving team encourages people to make gifts of up to £10,000 using a data-driven approach and a range of communication channels. We’re looking for a skilful communicator and project manager to join us.

The Individual Giving Manager will deliver a multi-channel fundraising strategy to encourage people to give at ‘mid-value’ level (£1,000-£10,000 each year) through direct mail and digital fundraising You’ll also support the wider team by project managing mass fundraising appeals that solicit gifts of all sizes by direct mail and email.

You’ll also be responsible for producing stewardship communications, including reports, that thank donors giving over £1,000.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Deliver a multi-channel fundraising strategy to encourage people to give at ‘mid-value’ level (£1,000-£10,000 each year) through direct mail and digital fundraising.
• Manage and build an active portfolio of individuals capable of making mid-value gifts, engaging this group with tailored communications.
• Make direct asks for donations to priority projects at the University. Current appeals include student scholarships, student hardship funds and medical research.
• Project manage direct response fundraising appeals that ask for gifts at all levels (including cash gifts under £1,000 and regular gifts by direct debit) and ensure appeals deliver a strong return on investment.
• Across all fundraising activities, manage relationships with external and internal agencies and internal teams that support your work. Develop clear project plans and briefs, as well as ensuring projects are delivered on time and to budget.
• Deliver against individual and shared fundraising targets to help the Individual Giving team raise up to £1 million ‘cash in’ per year.
• Ensure ‘mid-value’ donors are stewarded through a programme of activities, including reports, that demonstrate the impact of their support and inspire repeat giving.
• Utilise data insight and audience knowledge to segment and personalise communications for priority groups, including preparing spreadsheets of data for appeals. 
• Work closely with other fundraisers within CAR to move individuals through the donation pipeline in order to grow and uplift gifts.
• Ensure that gifts are solicited and accepted in line with the University’s ethical policies.
• Maintain accurate records of relationships and ensure information gathered is available to other members of Campaigns & Alumni Relations.
• Stay on top of best practice in fundraising and promote excellence in fundraising  across the CAR office.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• Experience in fundraising, direct response marketing or creative communications (assessed at application / interview)
• Knowledge of the principles of fundraising and a genuine belief in the transformative power of philanthropy in Higher Education (assessed at application / interview)
• Ability to influence, negotiate and persuade with highly developed written and verbal communication skills (assessed at application / interview)
• Experience working with external and internal stakeholders, to deliver print communications (assessed at application / interview)
• Experience and success in managing delivery of creative content and engagement touchpoints (assessed at application / interview / task)
• Ability to deliver an outstanding donor experience whilst acting as an ambassador for the University (assessed at application / interview)
• An understanding of the importance of audience segmentation and the ability to manipulate data in order to deliver personalised appeals (assessed at application / interview)
• Demonstrate the highest level of diplomacy, discretion and integrity when dealing with all aspects of fundraising (assessed at application / interview)
• Ability to deploy a range of fundraising methods to solicit donations as well as thank donors (e.g. direct mail and  email) (assessed at application / interview / task)
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once, produce clear briefs, delegate tasks and meet deadlines (assessed at application / interview)

Desirable criteria

• Experience of line management or coaching other staff members, including delegating tasks and providing feedback (assessed at application / interview)
• Experience of working with customer relationship databases (CRM) such as Raiser’s Edge (assessed at application)

Further Information

Grade: 7

Salary: £38,784 - £47,389 per annum

Work arrangement: Full-time

Line manager: Head of Individual Giving

Direct reports: Fundraising Assistant

Our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/welcome-car

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Heather Clement, Head of Individual Giving: on h.c.clement@sheffield.ac.uk or 0114 222 5594

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place the week commencing the 17th November. This will consist of an interview and task. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by the 14 November. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Kirsty Duke (k.duke@sheffield.ac.uk).

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date : 12/11/2025 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.