Part-time Telephone Fundraiser - The Open University Development Office
Location: Milton Keynes
Hours: Part-time, Monday-Thursday, 17:00-21:00pm
Rate: £12.79 per hour
Contract: Temporary with potential to convert to permanent
About the Role:
Join the Development Office at The Open University (OU), a respected leader in widening access to education and advancing social justice through philanthropy, alumni engagement and fundraising. The OU has one of the largest and most diverse alumni communities in the world, supporting transformative projects and programmes that empower learners globally.
As a Telephone Fundraiser you will play a vital role in engaging OU alumni by raising awareness of the University's fundraising priorities and inviting philanthropic support. You will represent the OU with professionalism and warmth.
This is a great opportunity for someone with a passion for fundraising, you will gain an insight into higher-education fundraising with scope for career development, gain the opportunity to work with OU alumni, students and experienced fundraisers. After a successful induction, there is the possibility of some hybrid working and potential for a permanent OU contract following successful induction and performance in the role.
You must be available for evening shifts on site at the Milton Keynes campus.
Key Responsibilities of a Telephone Fundraiser:
Make outbound calls to selected OU alumni to share inspiring updates on funded projects and ask for donations.
Build rapport, emphasise the value of alumni contributions and foster positive relationships.
Draft and send follow-up emails with project details upon request, and arrange call-backs.
Maintain accurate fundraising activity records using specialist telephone fundraiser software.
Undertake other duties and mandatory training as required to support the wider team, supporting a safe, compliant and inclusive work environment.
Expectations
Maintain professionalism as a representative of the OU.
Achieve at least two completed calls per hour.
Confidently discuss why fundraising matters to the University and clearly explain the impact of donations.
Requirements of the Part-time Telephone Fundraiser:
Essential:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong listening skills with a friendly, confident telephone manner.
Comfortable asking alumni for donations and building rapport.
Good attention to detail and basic IT skills with willingness to learn fundraising systems.
Self-motivated, reliable and able to work independently and as part of a team.
Available for evening shifts on site at the Milton Keynes campus.
Desirable:
Open University alumni, student or staff background.
Experience in fundraising, telesales, outbound calling or customer engagement.
Strong negotiation skills and experience using call scripts.
Knowledge or interest in distance learning and OU's mission.
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