Purpose of Role
The Campaign Manager leads the delivery of Shaping Futures, Heriot-Watt University’s global fundraising campaign. Working closely with the Campaign Director and the Development and Alumni Office, the role is responsible for developing operational plans and ensuring the strategic execution of the campaign. Through effective project management and administration, the Campaign Manager drives progress toward ambitious financial and impact goals.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
1. Implement Campaign Plans:
Deliver strategic and operational plans under the direction of the Campaign Director.
2. Align Fundraising with University Priorities:
Collaborate with senior leadership and project leads to ensure coordinated efforts across all campaign initiatives.
3. Manage Campaign Operations:
Act as Project Manager within the University’s Global Project Management framework, overseeing planning, delivery, and reporting.
4. Oversee Campaign Budget:
Track, plan, and report expenditure in line with agreed allocations.
5. Engage and Support Volunteers:
Develop and manage programmes for volunteer engagement, including senior campaign committees.
6. Provide Governance and Administrative Support:
Clerk key campaign boards and councils, ensuring effective meeting administration and follow-up.
7. Coordinate Prospect and Donor Management:
Work with DAO Services to support prospect research, pipeline development, donor recognition, and stewardship.
8. Advance Philanthropy and Stakeholder Engagement:
Represent Heriot-Watt to potential benefactors, build strong relationships with key stakeholders, and encourage University-wide understanding of educational philanthropy and best practice.
9. Support Campaign Communications and Reporting:
Assist in implementing communications plans, produce timely reports, and provide practical advice on complex fundraising issues.
10. Monitor Campaign Performance and Provide Executive Support:
Gather and analyse data to track success, report to senior management, and deputise for the Campaign Director when required.
Essential & Desirable Criteria
Essential
11. Qualifications and training equivalent to an undergraduate degree preferably in a field relevant to fundraising and philanthropy or project management, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training
12. Experience in leading and managing complex projects to achieve strategic goals.
13. Experience in providing high quality customer service to stakeholders, managing and maintaining networks and relationships, negotiating and settling complex issues, and the ability to develop strong collaborative working relationships at all levels.
14. Project management skills including project management administration, business process review and systems implementation.
15. Exceptional organisational skills with the demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, and a commitment to quality outcomes, the ability to work under pressure and establish priorities regarding workload, and to work both independently and as part of a team.
16. Superior interpersonal skills, with excellent qualities in negotiation, tact, diplomacy and an ability to maintain confidentiality.
17. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
18. Full competency in Microsoft Office suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project, MS Teams, MS Sharepoint sites, Co-pilot, including the competency of creating Sharepoint sites and Teams channels.
Desirable
19. A working knowledge of using customer relationship management databases such as The Raiser’s Edge.
20. Sound knowledge and a working understanding of the principles of philanthropy and fundraising, and an awareness of the United Kingdom, Scotland, Malaysia, and Dubai fundraising environment, philanthropy and its application to research institutes and universities.
21. Experience in managing fundraising programs in the education sector, preferably with experience in a large fundraising campaign environment.
22. Awareness of ethical issues pertaining to fundraising work.
23. Experience in working with senior management groups and volunteer committees, including in the role of clerk or secretary.
24. Sound knowledge of budget and financial processes.