Director of Development Operations and Alumni Engagement

Durham; North East; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Director of Development Operations and Alumni Engagement to provide strategic leadership in the Development and Alumni Relations Office. This pivotal role involves driving income growth, diversifying fundraising efforts, and enhancing the alumni experience. Candidates should have senior-level experience in development operations, the ability to balance strategic goals with operational role, and strong team leadership skills. A hybrid working model is in place, requiring a minimum of two days onsite per week.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Excellent benefits

Hybrid working model

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in development operations or alumni engagement.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with operational delivery.
• Proven track record of leading and motivating teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across Development Operations.
• Drive income growth and diversification in fundraising.
• Lead the delivery of the alumni engagement strategy.

Skills

Development operations expertise

Alumni engagement skills

Team leadership

Strategic vision

Stakeholder management

Job description

Overview

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.

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 workforce including people with disabilities, women, and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

Job Details

Job Number: 25001849

Department: Development and Alumni Relations

Grade: 10 : - Competitive

Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time

Working Arrangements: Hybrid arrangements in place, flexible hours may be required on occasion to deliver key activities and maintain relationships

Location: Durham, UK

Salary: Competitive + excellent benefits

Closing Date

08-Mar-2026, 11:59:00 PM

Role Summary

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.

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.

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
• A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification detailed in the candidate brochure.

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.

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.

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role. If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on [e-mail]

Candidate brochure information referenced above is available as part of the role description.