Description

Head of Major Gifts

St Peter's College, University of Oxford

Salary: Grade 8 (£47,389–£56,535 per annum) | Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid working 

As St Peter's College approaches its centenary in 2029, we're preparing for an ambitious fundraising campaign that will shape the College's future for generations. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced major gifts fundraiser to play a leading role.

Founded in 1929 to widen access to Oxford, St Peter's combines academic excellence with a welcoming and inclusive community. Philanthropy is central to our future, and we're seeking an exceptional relationship fundraiser to inspire transformational support from alumni and friends.

As Head of Major Gifts, you'll manage a portfolio of prospects with the capacity to give £50,000+, building relationships that secure significant philanthropic investment. Working closely with the Director of Development, the Master, Fellows and senior colleagues, you'll develop compelling funding opportunities, secure major gifts and help establish a thriving major gifts programme at a pivotal moment in the College's history.

We're looking for someone with a strong track record of securing major philanthropic gifts, outstanding relationship-building skills and the confidence to engage high-net-worth individuals and senior stakeholders. Whether you're already fundraising in higher education or bringing transferable experience from another sector, you'll be motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

This is a rare chance to join an ambitious, collaborative team in the heart of Oxford and help secure the future of one of the University's most distinctive colleges.

For full details of the role, person specification and how to apply, please download the Candidate Pack at www.spc.ox.ac.uk/vacancies. 

Applications close at the end of the day on 21st August 2026.

St Peter's is an equal opportunities employer that supports underrepresented groups and values diversity.

Salary £47,389 to £56,535 per annum (Grade 8) | Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid working.

More about the role

The Head of Major Gifts is a new and strategically important role, responsible for managing a portfolio of 100-150 major gift prospects and donors, with the capacity to give £50,000 or more, including six-figure gifts. Working closely with the Development Director, you will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major donors, while also developing relationships with a small number of selected trusts and foundations, and corporates. You will build lasting philanthropic partnerships and secure significant support for the College's strategic priorities.

You will be an accomplished major gifts fundraiser with a strong track record of securing significant philanthropic gifts and managing a dynamic portfolio of prospects through every stage of the donor journey. Organised, proactive and collaborative, you will be confident in identifying new opportunities, developing tailored engagement strategies and maintaining accurate prospect records. You will also work closely with senior College leaders, Fellows and colleagues to shape compelling philanthropic opportunities that align donors' interests with the College's ambitions.

This is a rare opportunity to establish and grow a major gifts programme at a pivotal moment in the College's history, helping to secure the philanthropic investment that will shape St Peter's future for generations to come.

Main responsibilities:

Major Gifts Fundraising:

• Develop and manage a portfolio of 100-150 major gift prospects and donors, with the capacity to give £50,000 or more, including six-figure gifts.
• Lead the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift prospects, developing tailored strategies to maximise philanthropic support.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with alumni and other individuals with the capacity to make significant gifts, as well as with trusts and foundations, and corporate philanthropic funders whose charitable objectives align with those of St Peter's.
• Personally solicit major gifts and work with senior College leaders to secure transformational philanthropic support.
• Meet agreed activity and income targets, maintaining a healthy pipeline of prospects at every stage of the donor journey.
• Ensure all donor interactions, strategies and contact reports are accurately recorded on the College's CRM database (DARS).
   

Strategic Relationship Management:

• Work closely with the Development Director, the Master, Fellows and senior colleagues to identify funding priorities and develop compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Prepare senior volunteers and College representatives for donor meetings, proposals and cultivation activities.
• Develop a strong understanding of the College's priorities and communicate the impact of these effectively to prospective supporters.
• Ensure donors receive outstanding stewardship, demonstrating the impact of their philanthropy and encouraging long-term engagement.
   

Programme Development:

• Contribute to the development and delivery of the College's major gifts strategy, supporting the success of the centenary campaign and future fundraising priorities.
• Identify new prospects and opportunities through research, networking and collaboration with colleagues across the College and the wider University.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Development, Alumni Relations and Communications to deliver integrated fundraising and engagement activities.
• Support the development of legacy giving and other strategic fundraising initiatives where appropriate.
   

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Work collaboratively across the Development team, contributing to a positive, supportive and high-performing culture.
• Build effective relationships with academic and professional colleagues across the College such as the Master, the Bursar and Fellows to foster a culture of philanthropy.
• Represent the College professionally at events and meetings, both in Oxford and elsewhere, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade of the post, as reasonably required by the Development Director.
   

Please download the Candidate Pack at www.spc.ox.ac.uk/about/vacancies for more information.