Director of Development (Health)

Overview

In this role you lead and shape a philanthropic programme across UCL’s health faculties, turning academic priorities into high-impact fundraising opportunities. You will manage a high-value portfolio, build strategic donor partnerships, and guide a team to deliver ambitious fundraising outcomes aligned with UCL’s campaign objectives. You engage with Deans and senior leaders to secure transformational gifts and drive cross-functional collaboration. This is a career-defining chance to advance health research, education and innovation at a world-class university.

Pay / Benefits

• 41 days holiday
• CARE pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site nursery
• On-site gym

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement fundraising strategies across four health-focused faculties
• Build strategic partnerships with Deans and senior academic leaders
• Translate faculty priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities
• Align faculty fundraising with institutional priorities and campaign objectives
• Identify interdisciplinary fundraising opportunities across health research and education
• Manage a personal portfolio of major gift prospects (100k–5m)
• Design and implement cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plans
• Secure gifts from individuals, trusts, foundations, and corporate partners
• Collaborate with Prospect Development, Campaign Proposition, Alumni Engagement, and Donor Experience teams
• Represent UCL in meetings with donors and senior stakeholders
• Maintain accurate records and pipeline in Advancement CRM systems
• Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing team
• Set objectives, monitor performance, and foster an inclusive culture
• Support campaign planning and cross-team collaboration across health faculties
• Develop relationships across Professional Services and the wider University
• Champion exceptional donor stewardship

Key requirements

• Experience leading fundraising teams in the health/medical research space
• Track record securing major gifts between 100k and 5m
• Proven success in securing gifts from individuals, trusts and foundations
• Experience delivering fundraising strategies and managing donor pipelines
• Strong understanding of donor strategy and portfolio management
• Ability to manage complex fundraising portfolios
• Strategic thinker with excellent judgement
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ambition to meet targets
• Ability to develop compelling philanthropic propositions
• Excellent organisational and project management skills

• Outstanding communication and influencing
• Strong negotiation skills
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership
• Advancement CRM systems
• Pipeline management and donor cultivation strategies
• Campaign planning and donor proposition development

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