Part-time Telephone Fundraiser - The Open University
Location: Milton Keynes
Hours: Part-time, Tuesday-Thursday, 17:00-21:00 onsite MK7 6AA
Rate: £12.79 per hour
Contract: Temporary with potential to convert to permanent
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About the Role
Join the Development Office at The Open University (OU), a leader in widening access to education and advancing social justice through philanthropy, partnerships, fundraising campaigns, and alumni engagement. The Development Office plays a critical role in securing philanthropic income to support students, projects, and programmes, while also fostering a connected global alumni and Honorary Graduate community .
As a Telephone Fundraiser, you will engage directly with OU alumni, building relationships and raising awareness of impactful initiatives to generate vital financial support. You will act as a professional and personable ambassador for the University.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with an interest in fundraising or higher education, offering hands-on experience, exposure to alumni engagement, and potential long-term career progression. Following a successful induction, there is scope for hybrid working and the possibility of a permanent contract based on performance.
You must be available to work evening shifts on-site at the Milton Keynes campus.
Key Responsibilities
Make outbound calls to selected OU alumni to promote funded projects and secure donations.
Build rapport and maintain positive relationships, reinforcing the importance of alumni contributions.
Compose and send tailored follow-up emails with further information and arrange call-backs where required.
Accurately record all interactions using specialist telephone fundraising software.
Represent the University professionally, acting as a key voice of the OU.
Additional Responsibilities
Undertake any other duties reasonably required to support the team.
Remain flexible to meet the demands of day-to-day operations.
Take responsibility for health and safety in the workplace.
Complete mandatory training (Data Protection, Information Security, Equality Essentials, Health & Safety, Safeguarding).
Demonstrate a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Expectations
Maintain a professional and engaging telephone manner at all times.
Achieve a minimum of two completed calls per hour.
Confidently explain the purpose and impact of OU fundraising.
Demonstrate confidence in asking for donations and handling objections.
What We Offer
A structured part-time role within a respected higher education environment.
Experience working alongside OU graduates, students, and experienced fundraisers.
Insight into fundraising within an educational setting.
Opportunity for hybrid working following successful induction.
Potential progression to a permanent OU contract based on performance.
Requirements
Essential
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong listening skills with a confident and friendly telephone manner.
Ability to build rapport and comfortably ask for donations.
Self-motivated and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
High attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping.
Basic IT skills and willingness to learn new systems.
Availability to work evening shifts on-site in Milton Keynes.
Desirable
Open University alumni, student or staff background.
Experience in fundraising, telesales, outbound calling or customer engagement.
Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
Experience working with scripts in a call centre or sales environment.
Knowledge of distance learning or interest in the OU's mission.
Understanding of, or empathy with, fundraising in an educational context.
How to Apply? Please click 'Apply' and submit your most up-to-date CV.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.
Pertemps acts as both an employment business and an employment agency on behalf of The Open University