Ref Number
C16-00302
Professional Expertise
Fundraising and Philanthropy
Department
Vice-President (Advancement) (C16)
Location
London
Working Pattern
Full time
Salary
£54,931-£64,644
Contract Type
Permanent
Working Type
Hybrid
Available for Secondment
No
Closing Date
31-Aug-2026
We are UCL: a diverse community with the freedom to challenge and think differently. The world urgently needs solutions to diverse problems. UCL was founded 200 years ago on the generosity of a collective of people who believed in an institution that could drive forward those solutions. The world needed collective support then, and it needs it again now.
In response, UCL has launched Here, it will happen, our biggest philanthropic and engagement campaign yet. Here, it will happen sets out our ambitions to solve global health, societal, climate and education challenges in UCL’s next century. Here, we have the determination to double down on our discoveries, translate our innovations into impact and inspire the citizens of the future.
There has never been a more exciting time to join UCL Advancement. We are a team of exceptionally ambitious, creative and passionate individuals who work together to achieve remarkable things with a global impact, and we would love for you to be part of this exciting journey and our success. Here, it will happen.
This is a high-impact, relationship-led fundraising role. You'll manage your own portfolio of North American prospects — primarily in the United States — capable of making high six- and seven-figure gifts, and you'll have real ownership over how you cultivate, solicit and steward them.
What you'll be doing
- Build and manage a portfolio of high-value prospects across North America, developing bespoke cultivation and solicitation strategies for gifts at the high six- and seven-figure level.
- Spot and create new prospecting opportunities — through UCL's network, your own connections and innovative external sources — to keep the pipeline growing.
- Build genuine, lasting relationships with academics and senior UCL stakeholders, including regular engagement with the President & Provost given the international nature of the role.
- Take the lead on personal solicitations and support senior colleagues in theirs, working independently to hit agreed income targets and KPIs.
- Help shape and deliver Advancement's international strategy and travel plans, coordinating donor visits and preparing high-quality briefings for senior leadership.
- Partner with the Alumni and Supporter Relations team to convert engaged alumni into fundraising prospects, and close gifts where the moment is right.
- Collaborate across Advancement on proposals, stewardship and cultivation events that help donors see the difference their support makes.
- Keep excellent, up-to-date records, and champion best practice in fundraising across the UCL community.
The role includes some overseas travel and occasional events or meetings outside normal hours — a great opportunity to build your international fundraising network.
Please note this position is to cover a maternity leave for the primary post-holder (c. 12 months).
We are happy to consider applications to work on a part-time/flexible basis wherever possible (minimum 0.8 FTE – equivalent of 4 days per week, stated salary to be pro-rata).
This role is eligible for hybrid working with a minimum of 20% on site.
To find out more about the role, please contact Lara Reichle, Associate Director of Development (International Programmes) by email: [email protected].
Please use the attach cover letter upload option to tell us how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification.
For more information about UCL Advancement, please visit: www.ucl.ac.uk/giving.
You're an experienced major gifts fundraiser who's comfortable working independently, building trust with high-net-worth individuals, and translating complex ideas into a compelling case for support. You'll thrive in this role if you can bring:
- A strong track record of securing six- and seven-figure-plus gifts or income from high-net-worth individuals or major organisations.
- Experience managing a high-value, complex portfolio of donors or clients across multiple stakeholders and relationships.
- A history of hitting personal KPIs and targets in a results-driven environment.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to make complex ideas land with a lay audience — through proposals, reports and presentations.
- Direct fundraising experience, ideally gained in a university or charity setting.
- Experience of international fundraising.
- A confident, credible style when influencing and negotiating with senior stakeholders.
- The ability to juggle multiple, cross-team projects with professionalism, discretion and a calm head under pressure.
Fluency in a language in addition to English is a bonus, though not essential.
Above all, we're looking for someone who takes pride in excellent service, makes decisions based on good data, and is genuinely committed to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion — in line with UCL's Ways of Working.
We know that our people are our greatest asset and in return we provide an empowering environment where personal and professional growth is invested in. We offer agile working and flexibility around working hours. Working with some of the greatest intellects in the world, UCL also offers a generous pension scheme and holiday allowance, plus closure days and bank holidays. Visit www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Immigration loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
