Associate Head of Philanthropy (Principal Gifts) (109035-1025)

For informal enquiries, please contact Doris Holtby (Doris Holtby) at Doris.holtby@warwick.ac.uk

Be part of our future

This is an exciting time to be joining the Development and Alumni Engagement Team (DAE) at the University of Warwick.

We have entered the planning stages of a new major philanthropic campaign, which will significantly scale the ambition for the University’s fundraising and engagement activity.

As a team, we have a major role to play in helping break down barriers to education and advancing research addressing some of our planet's biggest challenges.

Our donor community creates lasting value in society and the economy through supporting students, research and facilities at Warwick.

We’re looking for someone who has a passion for making a difference. You will be someone who can connect with global philanthropists to advance some of the most important research and education ambitions in the UK. The Associate Head of Philanthropy (Principal Gifts) will be responsible for managing and developing our portfolio of top £1m prospects, delivering transformational income for the University.

If this sounds like an exciting challenge, then we look forward to meeting with you.

We know that attracting the highest quality staff is fundamental to achieving our aims. We’re committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection practice is professional, fair and effective. Find out more at www.warwick.ac.uk/services/equalops

The Associate Head of Philanthropy (Principal Gifts) will lead and develop a portfolio of Warwick’s top £1m prospects that will deliver new levels of transformational income for the University.

In this role, you will secure funding for a combination of project-led and donor-led fundraising opportunities, and on the latter, will be capable of convening groups of academics to develop bespoke projects that meet donor’s interests.

This role will require self-awareness, and the capacity for problem-solving through lateral thinking. You will regularly work with senior levels of university leadership and administration and be expected to lead donor meetings where necessary.

You will ensure that all prospects in their portfolio have been screened against the Fundraising Ethics Committee’s six conditions for gift acceptance and are GDPR compliant. You will also help build the Development Office’s profile by maintaining relationships with senior stakeholders across the university.

This role will require you to work within a hot-desking space within the Development and Alumni Engagement team on campus and has the flexibility for hybrid working.

Principal Accountabilities

• Deliver multiple gifts at the £1 million + level.
• Work with senior academics and university leaders to develop bespoke projects in response to donor-led opportunities.
• Build a balanced Principal Gift portfolio of around 40 prospects with a minimum net worth of £100m and manage them into an effective balance across all stages of cultivation.
• Responsible for delivering a comprehensive series of KPIs relating to quarterly meetings, annual asks, and income, to be determined in consultation with line manager.
• Responsible for leading the development of outstanding prospect proposals and stewardship materials.
• Demonstrate excellence in all forms of communication with donors, influencers, and Warwick stakeholders.
• Responsible for ensuring that PG prospects and donors are compliant with Fundraising Ethics Committee’s criteria for gift acceptability and GDPR.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK. 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.*

Find out more about us on our website.

* QS World University Rankings 2024, Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Sunday 9th November 2025 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV should include:

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your cover letter should explain:

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.

You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave).

For guidance on writing a cover letter, see here.

• Interview Date: 17th November 2025
• Start Date: 5th January 2026

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.