Seeking three Senior Development Managers | One permanent and two 14-month maternity cover positions. Help shape the future of a globally recognised university as Durham builds towards its bicentenary and an ambitious fundraising campaign.
About the opportunities
These appointments come at an exciting moment for Durham University.
As we build towards our bicentenary in 2032, philanthropy is becoming an increasingly important part of the University’s future. Through our ambitious fundraising campaign, we are investing in student opportunity, world-leading research and the wider Durham experience, ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from everything that makes Durham distinctive.
To help achieve that ambition, we are looking to appoint three Senior Development Managers to join our Major Gifts Team, reporting to Tim Guinan, Head of Major Gifts.
Together, the team is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding philanthropic gifts typically ranging from £100k to £1m. Working with alumni, philanthropists, trusts and foundations, senior volunteers and colleagues across the University, they develop meaningful relationships that lead to transformational philanthropic support.
These are highly relationship-focused roles. You will spend your time understanding what motivates donors, developing compelling funding opportunities and working alongside academics and senior colleagues to bring those opportunities to life. Some relationships will already be well established, while others will be at an earlier stage. Every portfolio contains opportunities that can be developed over time, allowing you to build lasting partnerships and make a tangible contribution to Durham’s future.
Although united by a shared purpose, each role offers a different opportunity.
- Senior Development Manager | Permanent
This is a broad major gifts role working across Durham’s fundraising priorities. Alongside managing your own portfolio of major donor relationships, you will take a lead responsibility for legacies and planned giving, helping to strengthen this area of fundraising across the wider team.
Rather than being a specialist legacy fundraiser, you will be an experienced relationship fundraiser who is comfortable having sensitive conversations around legacy giving where appropriate, while continuing to build and secure major gifts across the University’s campaign priorities.
This portfolio is deliberately opportunity-led, allowing you to focus on developing the strongest philanthropic relationships wherever they emerge across the University.
Candidates with a notice period are expected; however, the position is available to start as early as September.
Maternity cover positions (14-months)
For both maternity cover appointments, we have intentionally structured the contracts as 14-month appointments rather than the more usual 12 months. This allows for a planned handover with the current postholders, including time for training, shadowing, and relationship introductions before maternity leave begins, as well as a period of overlap upon their return. We believe this approach provides greater continuity for donors and colleagues while helping the successful candidates establish themselves with confidence from the outset:
- Senior Development Manager (Science)
Available from the beginning of September
Working closely with colleagues across the Faculty of Science, this role supports fundraising across areas including Computer Science, Physics and Mathematical Sciences, together with student and graduate enterprise through Durham’s Venture Lab.
It is an opportunity to work alongside world-leading academics while developing relationships with donors who want to invest in research, innovation, entrepreneurship and the next generation of scientific talent.
- Senior Development Manager (Arts and Humanities)
Available from the beginning of November
This varied portfolio brings together fundraising across the Faculty of Arts and Humanities with Libraries and Special Collections, alongside student enrichment opportunities including sport, theatre and music.
It combines heritage, culture and academic excellence with many of the experiences that alumni remember most fondly from their time at Durham, creating a wide range of compelling philanthropic conversations.
Working in the Major Gifts Team
Our team is ambitious, collaborative and supportive.
We work closely together, sharing ideas, opening doors for one another and drawing on the expertise of colleagues from across the University. Success is built through partnership, whether that’s working alongside academics to develop new funding propositions, collaborating with senior volunteers or helping donors connect with the areas that matter most to them.
We also recognise that successful fundraising happens through conversations, not behind a desk.
While Durham operates a hybrid approach to working, our fundraisers are encouraged to spend time where they can make the greatest difference, meeting donors, visiting prospects and building relationships across the UK and internationally. Time spent developing those relationships is valued far more highly than simply being present in the office.
Who we are looking for
We’re looking for experienced, relationship-led fundraisers who enjoy working with people, building trust over time and helping others realise the impact their philanthropy can have.
You might already be working within higher education advancement, or you may have developed your career in another charity or purpose-led organisation with a sophisticated major donor or principal gifts programme. We are interested in the skills, judgement and approach you bring, rather than one particular career path.
You will be comfortable managing a portfolio of significant donor relationships, balancing multiple conversations at different stages and developing thoughtful cultivation strategies that lead to successful outcomes. You’ll know how to listen, ask good questions and adapt your approach to different audiences, whether you’re meeting a philanthropist, presenting to senior colleagues or working alongside academic partners.
We’re looking for people who combine initiative with collaboration. These roles offer considerable autonomy, but no one succeeds at Durham alone. You will enjoy working with others, sharing ideas and contributing to a positive, high-performing team culture.
For the permanent role, experience of legacy or planned giving would be advantageous, although we are equally interested in experienced major gift fundraisers who are keen to broaden their expertise in this area.
Above all, we’re looking for people who are motivated by building genuine relationships, inspired by the opportunities that higher education creates and excited by the chance to help shape Durham’s next chapter.
Candidates may apply for one, two or all three roles. Please indicate your preferences in your application.
Head of Principal Giving
We are also recruiting a Head of Principal Giving for Durham University, with further information found here.
Why now is the right time to join Durham
We interviewed Dr Katie Harland-Edminson, Chief Development Officer at Durham University, in which she talks about the University’s Keep Making History campaign, the future of philanthropy and the wider environment someone will be joining.
To access the job information packs for these positions, please follow the instructions on the ‘How to Apply’ page. Following this, should you like to have an informal conversation, you can email our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
James Hunt | james@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07711 405 444
Welcome from the Head of Major Gifts
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for taking the time to find out more about these opportunities and for considering Durham University as the next step in your fundraising career.
Whether you’re interested in one of our maternity cover roles or our permanent appointment, I hope this pack gives you a genuine sense of the team, the University and the contribution you could make.
Durham is a university with a remarkable history and an exciting future. For almost 200 years, we’ve combined academic excellence with a strong sense of community and belonging. Our students, staff, alumni and supporters remain connected long after graduation, and those lifelong relationships are one of Durham’s greatest strengths.
Philanthropy is becoming an increasingly important part of how we achieve our ambitions. Through the generosity of our supporters, we’re widening access to education, supporting world-leading research, enriching the student experience and investing in projects that will benefit future generations. This sits at the heart of our Keep Making History campaign as we build towards our bicentenary in 2032.
We’re building real momentum. Our community of alumni and supporters continues to grow, we’re investing in our fundraising team, and we’re creating opportunities to develop deeper relationships with donors across the UK and internationally. Joining now means becoming part of that next chapter.
These appointments are an important part of that journey.
Our Senior Development Managers play a central role in developing relationships with alumni, donors and supporters who have the capacity to make transformational gifts. You’ll work closely with colleagues from across the University, helping to shape funding opportunities, bringing people together and helping donors support the areas that matter most to them. Some relationships will already be well established, while others will be yours to develop over time. Every conversation is different, which is one of the things I enjoy most about this work.
Although each role has its own portfolio and focus, they’re all part of one collaborative team. We share ideas, support one another and celebrate each other’s successes. We also believe good fundraising happens through conversations and relationships. You’ll be encouraged to spend your time meeting donors, working alongside colleagues across the University and building partnerships. If you’re out developing relationships, that’s where we want you to be.
I’m looking for people who enjoy working with others, are curious about what motivates individuals to give and are confident building trusted relationships. You’ll be comfortable managing your own portfolio, taking ownership of opportunities and working alongside colleagues to develop strong cases for support. You might already work in higher education advancement, or you may have built your experience elsewhere in the charity or wider not for profit sector. What’s important is that you enjoy building relationships, communicate with confidence and are motivated by helping donors make a meaningful difference through their philanthropy.
If this sounds like the sort of environment where you would do your best work, I’d be delighted to hear from you.
Thank you again for your interest, and I hope you decide to apply.
With best wishes,
Tim Guinan
Head of Major Gifts
Durham University
About Durham University
A globally recognised university
Durham University is a globally outstanding centre of teaching, research and learning excellence, with a distinctive collegiate community and a unique historic setting.
Founded in 1832, Durham has a long tradition of academic ambition, curiosity and community. Its purpose is to enrich lives and change the world through the advancement of learning, a purpose that continues to shape its work today.
Strategy and ambition
The University’s strategy is built around three connected pillars: research, education and the wider student experience. These are underpinned by a strong sense of community and by Durham’s commitment to making a positive contribution locally, nationally and globally.
Research at Durham is shaped by intellectual depth and global relevance. Across its departments, institutes and partnerships, the University brings people together to advance knowledge, respond to complex challenges and contribute to society through teaching, discovery and collaboration.
A distinctive collegiate community
Durham’s collegiate model is central to its identity. The University’s colleges create communities where students can belong, contribute, take part and build relationships beyond their academic studies.
This wider student experience is one of Durham’s defining strengths, supporting personal growth, participation and connection across the University.
A place shaped by history
Durham’s location is part of its character. The University sits within a city of exceptional heritage, with Durham Castle and Cathedral at the centre of a setting that connects history, scholarship and community.
The Castle has been part of University life since the earliest years of Durham’s story and remains a living, working part of the collegiate experience.
This is a university with deep roots and global reach. It is proud of its history but not defined by it alone.
Durham’s strength lies in the people who study, work, teach, research, lead, volunteer and give here, and in the relationships that help the University keep making history.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Durham is committed to creating an inclusive learning and working environment where staff and students can reach their full potential. Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the University’s ambitions, and Durham continues to work towards a community that reflects a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.
A global community of alumni and supporters
The University is home to a global community of graduates, friends and supporters. Durham’s alumni community reaches across the world, with over 200,000 alumni and supporters connected by a shared relationship with the University.
Through philanthropy, volunteering, advocacy and engagement, this community continues to play an important role in Durham’s future.
Keep Making History
As Durham looks towards its bicentenary in 2032, this campaign will support the next stage of the University’s development. Keep Making History aims to raise £200m, strengthening Durham’s ability to widen opportunity, support research, enrich the student experience and make a lasting difference.
Learn more about Durham University
- Our website
- Meet the team
- Campaign Board
- University Strategy 2017-2027
- Annual reports and financial statements 2025
- Why Join Us?
- Total rewards and benefits package
Accessibility information
Boldon House
This role is formally based at Boldon House, Durham University’s newly refurbished, modern workspace for professional services. Because it is a fully renovated, contemporary building, it features comprehensive, built-in accessibility elements, including level step-free access, lift access across all three floors, wide corridors and a multi-faith room.
After a full refurbishment programme, Boldon House has become one of the University’s most environmentally sustainable buildings, with PV solar panels and air-sourced heat pump heating. Durham University’s Boldon House is leading the way in active travel. This 69,965 sqft building has recently achieved a Gold ActiveScore, setting a new benchmark for sustainable workspaces in the education sector.
As well as flexible workspaces for all teams, across its three floors the building is also home to a bright and welcoming reception, large café area, touchdown workspaces, meeting rooms, training room, multi-faith room, business lounge, wellness room, family room and facilities to support active travel to work.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our workforce, including people with disabilities, women, and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
For more information, please visit our EDI page.
Visa eligibility
Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.
To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
James Hunt | james@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07711 405 444
Thank you for your interest in these roles. Please download the Senior Development Manager job information packs:
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally, a maximum of 2 A4 pages) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application – Durham University, Senior Development Manager – Role*” into the subject field.
*You may apply for one, two or all three roles. Please indicate your preferences in your application, as well as in the subject line with: ‘Permanent’, ‘Science’, and/or ‘Arts and Humanities’
For an informal conversation about this opportunity, you can email our advising consultant at Peridot Partners:
James Hunt | james@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07711 405 444
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
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Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 24th August 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: By COB, Friday 28th August 2026
Interviews (in person, Durham): Thursday 10th and/or Friday 11th September 2026
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Durham University are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
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The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
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