Head of Development - Faculty of Natural Sciences - Candidate Brief for the position of
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Candidate Brief for the position of Head of Development – Faculty of Natural Sciences Imperial College London September 2021
Candidate Brief – September 2021 Berwick Partners an Odgers Berndtson company
Imperial College Overview
Imperial College London is an exceptional university with a global reputation for teaching and research
across four disciplines: engineering, medicine, science and business. Consistently ranked within the top three
universities in the UK and Europe, and the top ten worldwide, Imperial attracts the very best students and
academics from across the world to an environment which is rigorous, inspiring and highly collaborative.
The Faculty of Natural Sciences is dedicated to providing the highest quality teaching and learning
environment at the heart of Imperial College London, and to fostering excellence in a diverse and supportive
community. The Faculty delivers teaching activities across the core scientific disciplines of Chemistry,
Mathematics, Physics and Life Sciences, and also hosts the Centre for Environmental Policy and the
Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment.
We are dedicated to providing the highest quality teaching and learning environment and producing the
very best science so it can be deployed for the wider benefit of society. Our amazing community of scholars
are committed to addressing the greatest scientific challenges of our time. Whether established professors,
rising new academics or talented students, we celebrate and make the most of our diversity and know that
the variety of views that teams of different people with different backgrounds can bring to bear on our work
leads to better results.
With philanthropic support, we can attract new academic leaders, advance ground-breaking research that
shapes best practice for modern organisations operating in a technology-driven world and create new
opportunities for the most talented students to join us, regardless of their backgrounds.
2
Candidate Brief – September 2021 Berwick Partners an Odgers Berndtson company
Background to the Role
The post holder will be responsible for developing and leading an ambitious fundraising strategy for Imperial’s
Faculty of Natural Sciences. With a strong track record of consistently meeting targets, the post holder will
work closely with the Dean of Faculty of Natural Sciences and other senior staff to achieve outstanding
results. The post holder will be entrepreneurial so as to manage and grow a portfolio of major gifts prospects
with the ultimate goal of increasing giving in support of the Faculty of Natural Sciences’ strategic priorities. The
post holder will be politically astute with a tactful and diplomatic communication style, skilled at building
relationships and strategically minded to ensure the most effective processes, practices and techniques are in
place to deliver results. The post holder will have line management responsibility for a Development Manager
and a Development Assistant (shared with the Trusts & Foundations team).
The Role
Strategic and leadership
◼ Lead, build, develop and manage fundraising activity for the Faculty of Natural Sciences, in order to
maximise the full potential of philanthropic funding streams available.
◼ Design and deliver sophisticated fundraising strategies at all levels, embedding a data driven
approach.
◼ Contribute to wider fundraising strategy as a senior member of the management team.
◼ Ensure that the team are well managed, are working towards objectives and metrics, as required, are
fully trained and have opportunities for development to fulfil their potential.
◼ Initiate and embed innovative processes, practices and techniques to ensure a seamless and effective
prospect development pipeline.
◼ Deploy strategies and tactics for successfully targeting different prospect audiences in order to achieve
the best results.
◼ Work closely with colleagues (e.g. regular, legacy and principal giving) to ensure that prospects and
donors are handled and approached in the most effective manner for the College’s overall
philanthropic health.
◼ Provide professional advice and support to academic and support staff in the Faculty of Natural
Sciences on fundraising priorities and procedures.
◼ Represent the Division at internal and external meetings and help maintain good relations on behalf of
the Division around the College, particularly with the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
◼ Monitor and mitigate for risks and threats to fundraising activity.
Faculty of Natural Sciences support
◼ Act as the Faculty of Natural Sciences’ main advisor on philanthropic support, especially for the Dean
and senior academic staff.
◼ Work with the Dean to identify funding priorities for the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
◼ Travel internationally with the Dean, or other senior staff, arranging and supporting all prospect and
donor meetings as needed.
◼ Membership and support of Faculty of Natural Sciences’ committees as appropriate.
◼ Facilitate trusting and mutually beneficial relationships between the Advancement Division and the
Faculty of Natural Sciences.
3
Candidate Brief – September 2021 Berwick Partners an Odgers Berndtson company
Prospect development
◼ Manage a portfolio of major giving and legacy donors, maintaining close personal relationships with
each prospect, integrating them with the College and Faculty of Natural Sciences whenever possible
and working closely with senior academic and administrative staff to bring the prospective donors to
the point where they can be solicited for philanthropic support, and asking them personally.
◼ Make effective use of prospect research to approach and cultivate potential donors through calls, visits
and other forms of communication.
◼ Manage the production of effective written proposals and presentations for fundraising purposes, as
well as written reports, emails and letters for stewarding purposes. This may include interpreting
scientific content and understanding detailed costs and financial information.
◼ Negotiate and prepare gift agreements and contracts with the assistance and support of the College’s
legal team.
◼ Ensure that all income is handled as tax effectively as possible and keep abreast of charity law and
other relevant laws.
◼ Understand the College’s admissions and scholarship selection procedures and work with colleagues
to ensure that donor proposals are manageable.
◼ Remain up to date with developments in fundraising and refresh skills as required and keep abreast of
relevant philanthropic news.
◼ Work with colleagues in the Advancement Division and in the Faculty of Natural Sciences to ensure
that communications with prospects are coordinated and prioritised.
◼ Facilitate the flow of prospects from regular giving, through to major and principal giving.
◼ Work closely with other Advancement fundraising teams to ensure all front-line fundraisers are aware
of philanthropic opportunities within the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
4Candidate Brief – September 2021 Berwick Partners an Odgers Berndtson company
Donor stewardship
◼ Work closely with the Advancement Operations group to ensure consistent, coordinated and high-
quality stewardship.
◼ Monitor performance and outcomes by preparing regular reports and recording activities using the
College’s prospect and stewardship management systems.
◼ Share knowledge and insights acquired through contacts and networking for the overall advancement
of development opportunities at the College.
◼ Steward existing major donors to the Faculty of Natural Sciences through contact with them directly
and their offices and maintain good relations in view of encouraging repeat donations.
◼ Input and support for prospect cultivation and stewardship events.
Analysis and reporting
◼ Monitor and maintain records and reports of giving activities to meet both internal and external
requirements.
◼ Agree specific and quantifiable targets for annual performance and participation and forecast
accordingly.
◼ Analyse performance, present results and put forward recommendations through briefings,
presentations and written reports for senior management committees.
◼ Work closely with colleagues in the Advancement Division to ensure robust ethical and stewardship
processes.
Other responsibilities
◼ Other tasks reasonably requested by the Deputy Director of Development.
◼ Understand and proactively engage with the College’s and Division’s strategic priorities in all
communications.
5Candidate Brief – September 2021 Berwick Partners an Odgers Berndtson company
The Candidate
Essential Criteria
◼ Educated to graduate level or equivalent.
◼ Experienced in major gift fundraising in Higher Education, charities/not-for-profit etc, or other
transferable experience of securing new business in a commercial sales environment alongside a clear
interest in moving into a philanthropic role.
◼ Repeated success as a fundraiser, securing major gifts 6 figure gifts plus.
◼ Experience of providing an exceptional level of donor care and stewardship across an organisation.
◼ Highly experienced using a relational database i.e. Access, Raiser’s Edge or other similar software for
both inputting and analysis of data.
◼ Clear understanding and experience of relevant regulatory compliance, international tax codes, and
ethical codes of practice associated with fundraising.
◼ Proven leadership ability and strong experience of planning and progressing fundraising initiatives and
campaigns under own initiative.
◼ Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills; persuasive with both internal and external
stakeholders.
◼ Sound grasp of the dynamics of the relationships between departments, groups and individuals of an
organisation, and sensitivity to differences in priorities.
◼ Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to apply knowledge creatively in new
contexts and to think beyond traditional solutions.
◼ Strategic thinker with an ability to identify new opportunities for developing the fundraising
programme.
◼ IT literate and experience of using Microsoft Office.
◼ Flexibility to working outside of usual working hours.
◼ Willingness to travel overseas as needed to meet prospects.
Desirable Criteria
◼ Experience of managing and developing staff, including experience of transferring skills to others,
including the ability to act as coach and mentor for junior team members.
◼ Experience of monitoring and managing budgets.
◼ Experience in understanding, working with and communicating science, engineering and medicine.
◼ Knowledgeable of fundraising best practice in the UK.
◼ An understanding of the role of universities and their contribution to society.
Please note that job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, and the post-holder may be required to undertake
other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
All Imperial employers are expected to follow the 7 principles detailed below:
1) Champion a positive approach to change and opportunity
2) Communicate regularly and effectively within, and across, teams
3) Consider the thoughts and expectations of others
6Candidate Brief – September 2021 Berwick Partners an Odgers Berndtson company
4) Deliver positive outcomes
5) Encourage inclusive participation and eliminate discrimination
6) Support and develop staff to optimise talent
7) Work in a planned and managed way
In addition to the above, employees are required to observe and comply with all College policies and
regulations, including the key policies and procedures on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, Data Protection,
Equal Opportunities, Financial Regulations, Health and Safety, Imperial Expectations (for new leaders,
managers and supervisors), Information Technology, Private Engagements and Register of Interests, and
Smoking. They must also undertake specific safety responsibilities relevant to individual roles, as set out on
the College Website Health and Safety Structure and Responsibilities page.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All employees are
expected to adhere to the principles set out in its Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting
Race Equality Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
Additional Details
Department/Division/Faculty Advancement
Location South Kensington Campus, London
Job Family/Level Professional Services/Level 5
Responsible to Deputy Director of Development
Responsible for Development Manager
Development Assistant (shared with the Head of
Trusts & Foundations)
Key working relationships (Internal) Advancement colleagues, Dean, Vice Dean, Heads
of Department and staff of Faculty of Natural
Sciences (academic, research and professional),
Corporate Partnerships, Communications and
Public Affairs, Finance Division, Imperial College
Union and students
Key working relationships (External) Alumni, donors, major international corporate
sponsors, third party professional service suppliers
(fundraising consultants, media and
communication consultants), peers and related
professional networks (e.g. CASE)
Contract type Permanent
7Candidate Brief – September 2021 Berwick Partners an Odgers Berndtson company
How to Apply
The preferred method of application is online at www.berwickpartners.co.uk/83910
If you are unable to apply online please email your application to response.manager@berwickpartners.co.uk
All applications will receive an automated response.
If an EOM form is required:
All candidates are also requested to complete an online Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form which will be
found at the end of the application process.
For detailed information on how we process your personal data, please review our privacy policy on our
website https://www.berwickpartners.co.uk/privacy-policy/
In line with GDPR, we ask that you do NOT send us any information that can identify children or any of your
Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade
union membership, data concerning health or sex life and sexual orientation, genetic and / or biometric
data) in your CV and application documentation. Following this notice, any inclusion of your Sensitive
Personal Data in your CV/application documentation will be understood by us as your express consent to
process this information going forward. Please also remember to not mention anyone’s information or
details (e.g. referees) who have not previously agreed to their inclusion.
If you have any queries or would like more information regarding this document, please contact:
Clare Bromley
Clare.Bromley@berwickpartners.co.uk
8You can also read
