Part-Time Telephone Fundraiser

Part‑time Telephone Fundraiser - The Open University Development Office

Location:

Milton Keynes |

Hours:

Monday-Thursday 17:00-21:00 | Rate: £12.79 per hour |

Contract:

Temporary with potential to convert to permanent

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. 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 engage OU alumni by raising awareness of the University's fundraising priorities and inviting philanthropic support. You will represent OU with professionalism and warmth.

This is an opportunity for someone passionate about fundraising. You will gain insight into higher‑education fundraising, work with OU alumni, students and experienced fundraisers, and after successful induction there is possibility of hybrid working and a permanent OU contract.

Requirements:
Must be available for evening shifts on site at the Milton campus.

• 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.

• Maintain professionalism as a representative of OU.
• Achieve at least two completed calls per hour.
• Confidently discuss why fundraising matters to the University and clearly explain the impact of donations.

• 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.

Please click 'Apply' and submit your most up‑to‑date CV.

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 under‑represented 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.