International Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser (AD07)

Department: Development Office

Key Responsibilities

• Research, identify and assess national and international trusts, foundations and philanthropic organisations with interests aligned to the Universitys strategic priorities.
• Monitor developments, trends and innovations within the national and international trusts and foundations sector.
• Develop and manage a strong pipeline of qualified institutional funding prospects.
• Build and maintain productive, long-term relationships with trusts, foundations and other philanthropic organisations.
• Identify and secure new philanthropic investment for University priority projects.
• Develop strategic cultivation, engagement and solicitation plans for prospective funders.
• Work closely with faculties, academics, researchers and senior University leadership to identify, develop and position projects for philanthropic investment.
• Translate complex academic, research and institutional priorities into compelling funding propositions.
• Prepare and submit high-quality proposals, concept notes, expressions of interest and other funding submissions.
• Make direct funding asks where appropriate and prepare senior University representatives to undertake institutional funding engagements.
• Provide high-level stewardship of existing funders and proactively identify opportunities to renew, extend or increase their support.
• Re-engage previous trusts and foundations where there is potential for renewed philanthropic investment.
• Contribute to donor contract management and the appropriate stewardship and reporting of funded projects.
• Maintain accurate, current and relevant prospect and donor information within the Universitys fundraising systems.
• Use prospect and donor data to inform fundraising strategies and prioritise opportunities.

Requirements

• A minimum postgraduate Bachelors degree or equivalent relevant qualification, at NQF Level 8.
• Approximately 3-5 years' relevant fundraising or related work experience, preferably within a university, donor, philanthropic or comparable environment.
• Demonstrated experience working with national and international trusts, foundations and philanthropic organisations.
• A proven record of securing significant levels of funding for initiatives such as research programmes, infrastructure, bursaries, scholarships or other major projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with particularly strong proposal-writing capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to establish, develop and sustain relationships with national and international trusts and foundations.
• A sound understanding of national and international donor and philanthropic markets.
• Knowledge of trends and strategies within international philanthropy and the trusts and foundations sector.
• The ability to engage confidently and credibly with senior University management, academics, philanthropic leaders and other high-level external stakeholders.
• Strong strategic, analytical, organisational and planning skills.
• The ability to understand complex concepts quickly and translate them into persuasive funding propositions.
• Knowledge and experience of donor contract management would be advantageous.
• Experience in higher education fundraising would be advantageous.
• An established network within the national and/or international trusts and foundations sector would be an advantage.
• A high level of initiative, energy, resilience, creativity and personal motivation.
• The ability to work proactively and effectively in a dynamic environment and manage changing priorities and deadlines.