Development Manager – Individual Giving
Location: Hybrid – Kingston upon Thames, UK
Department: Academic Services | Development, Alumni Relations and Engagement (DARE)
Salary: £45,025 – £48,820 per annum plus benefits
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Seniority Level: Mid-Senior
Employment Type: Full-time
Industry: Higher Education
Are you driven by data with experience in direct marketing fundraising? Do you excel at crafting lifelong donor journeys from acquisition to strengthening affinity and maximising giving participation? Kingston University is seeking an exceptional Development Manager – Individual Giving to lead their ambitious fundraising programmes and help transform the lives of students through scholarships, access and support initiatives.
About the Role
This is a pivotal opportunity to shape and grow Kingston’s individual giving strategy. You’ll lead multi‑channel campaigns—from telephone fundraising and direct mail to email and crowdfunding—designed to acquire, retain, and upgrade donors. You’ll also develop a mid‑level giving programme (£500–£1,000+), steward legacy pledgers, and create compelling donor journeys that inspire loyalty and generosity.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead Kingston’s annual telephone fundraising campaign, including recruiting and managing student callers.
* Deliver targeted acquisition and stewardship campaigns across multiple channels.
* Develop mid‑level giving and legacy programmes, personally soliciting gifts and building donor relationships.
* Collaborate with Major Gifts colleagues to identify prospects and enhance donor pipelines.
* Create engaging content‑written, visual, and video to showcase the impact of giving.
* Evaluate campaign performance using data insights and industry benchmarks.
* Support donor and alumni events, and contribute to the wider DARE and University community.
About You
* Proven experience in individual giving and campaign management, ideally in Higher Education or the charity sector.
* Strong strategic thinking and data‑driven decision‑making.
* Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
* A passion for education, inclusion and the power of philanthropy.
* Experience with CRM systems (ideally Raiser’s Edge) and donor stewardship.
Why Kingston?
Kingston University is a leader in post‑1992 university fundraising, with a proud tradition of alumni support. You’ll be part of a dynamic team driving innovation, inclusion and impact—helping students thrive and succeed.
Benefits
* Generous holiday entitlement of 35 days (from entry at all levels), plus bank holidays.
* Three “meeting free” weeks each year to create space for reflection and planning.
* Flexible working arrangements and accommodation of various work patterns.
* Family‑friendly policies and support for employee needs.
* Exceptional professional development opportunities.
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