Director of Development and Alumni Relations

About the University

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world‑class university. We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

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The University of Sheffield is a world‑leading research institution, ranked in the top 100 universities globally, home to 26,000 students and 7,800 staff from 150 countries. As a founding member of the Russell Group, we combine our proud heritage with a contemporary and ambitious strategy to deliver life‑enhancing research, innovation and education that transforms the lives of our students and shapes the world we live in.

We are seeking to appoint an exceptional individual to fulfil the role of Director of Development and Alumni Relations
, bringing creative vision and strategic leadership to drive our fundraising activity. Building on our highly successful Forged in Sheffield, Shaping the Future campaign, the Director will lead our fundraising strategy and cultivate our global alumni community, working closely with colleagues across the University to engage alumni in support of our broader strategic ambitions and enhance our global reputation.

• Report to the Chief Operating Officer and work closely with the President and Vice‑Chancellor and the wider University Executive Board on fundraising activity.
• Cultivate, solicit and steward our most significant donors and prospects.
• Work closely with Professional Services colleagues to support the University’s wider strategic ambitions.
• Lead the Campaigns and Alumni Relations team to deliver ambitious fundraising targets, secure transformational gifts that enable the University to pursue its mission of excellence in teaching, research and innovation.
• Harness the influence of our alumni to enhance student recruitment and employability.

• Significant experience of principal gift fundraising and strategic advancement in a complex and global context.
• Strong collaborative skills and ability to work across senior university leadership.
• Experience in leading a large fundraising campaign and delivering transformational gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to engage alumni communities at a global scale.

For details of the appointment, including further information about the job description, person specification and how to apply, please visit  quoting reference number 8251
. The deadline for the receipt of applications is 09:00 am GMT on Monday 9th March 2026. For informal inquiries please contact Thomas Cameron at Th Closing Date : 09/03/2026

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We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision () outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.