Head of Operations - Development

About Murray Edwards College

Murray Edwards College is one of the 31 Colleges in the University of Cambridge and is a College for bright women from a variety of backgrounds, who strive to achieve their full potential and make a difference in the world.

The College is a self-governing academic community, comprising some 650 undergraduates, postgraduates and academics, supported by 120 staff. It has exceptional facilities and listed modern buildings with award-winning gardens.

The role

The Head of Operations will have overall responsibility for the smooth and successful functioning of the development office, leading on all aspects of fundraising operations and building on existing processes, including gift administration, data analysis, prospect research and management reporting.

The post-holder will also fully engage with the day-to-day co-ordination of operations and maintenance of relationships across the College communities and beyond and work with the Director of Development in delivering the College’s development strategy, including the planning of any future fundraising campaign.

Key responsibilities of the role are:

• Alongside the Director of Development, provide holistic support for the development office, including the staff, the Raiser’s Edge database and all internal office systems and processes.
• Develop and lead the strategic direction of fundraising operations using tools and best practices that will build on current platforms and processes.
• Develop the role over time with respect to the major gift programme, to optimise prospect identification, research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Ensure efficient and streamlined processes are implemented, with particular regard to the efficient use of the Raiser’s Edge Database across the development team.
• Regularly set, measure and report against targets, KPIs and metrics, evaluate growth and impact of different elements of the development programme.
• Effective line-management, support, and leadership
• Attend events, dinners, and host College guests as appropriate.

• Provide guidance and support to staff involved in College fundraising activity, and continually help to engender a positive culture of philanthropy across the College.
• Prepare reports for any development committees or advisory / volunteer Boards that may be established by the incoming Director of Development.
• Working with the Director, Head of Philanthropy, and the Prospect Research Officer, to oversee relevant due diligence and ethical giving policies and procedures at the College, supporting any front-line fundraisers with advice and guidance.

About you

You will:

• Have experience in creating and delivering organisational and financial plans.
• Possess excellent interpersonal, line management, team building and team culture development skills.
• Have good working knowledge of fundraising processes and financial reporting.
• Be skilled in the use of fundraising databases, particularly the Raiser’s Edge.
• Have good knowledge of charity governance and compliance, including GDPR.
• Adopt a proactive and organised approach to work, unafraid to use initiative and implement improved processes.
• Demonstrate aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Have the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organisation and externally, ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks and keep up to date with different schedules and developments.

For further details about the role and the skills and knowledge required please visit https://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/contact/work-for-us

Please send your CV and covering letter by e-mail to hr@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk. 

Please note this is being run as a rolling recruitment process. We will be assessing applications, shortlisting and offering interviews as the applications are received. The job will close once a candidate has been appointed.

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