Development Manager Business School

Updated: 9 days ago
Location: Rannoch School, SCOTLAND
Deadline: 05 May 2025

Are you a persuasive and compelling communicator? Are you an individual with a strong track record of negotiating and managing relationships? Do you have an interest in Higher Education and in making a difference? If so, this could be the perfect career opportunity for you.

The Advancement Division is in search of a tactful, and diplomatic Development Manager to join their ambitious team to help maximise philanthropic income opportunities for the Business School.  

The overarching strategy of Advancement is to raise philanthropic funds for scholarships, academic positions, research centres and capital projects, securing donations and financial support from those who are committed to our academic mission and building Imperial’s global reputation. The Division oversees a wide programme of events that seek to expand the Imperial’s reach, strengthen and enlarge our supporter base, increase philanthropic support and engage alumni, friends and other stakeholders in the life of the College. This is a high impact and high visibility division which relies on extremely motivated and skilled fundraising professionals to deliver a quality end-to-end gift giving experience.

In addition to supporting College-wide fundraising objectives, the post will support the Business School to deliver their mission to provide the highest quality teaching, learning and research environment.

This career opportunity promises to be varied and will utilise your experience gained in roles such as a Development Manager, Major Gifts Officer, Development Officer, Fundraising Specialist or similar.

Key duties will include:

  • Managing high priority donor and prospective donor relationships and strategic projects, with the aim of soliciting major gifts (£50k+) in support of the Business School, as well as the wider College’s fundraising objectives.
  • Developing and delivering on key areas of major gifts fundraising strategy.
  • Being a trusted advisor both within and outside the Advancement Division for identifying innovative ways to capitalise on fundraising opportunities.

This career opportunity will suit an individual with drive and a keen interest in higher education and the fundraising space.

  • Educated to graduate level of equivalent.
  • Evidence of success as a professional fundraiser in personally securing major gifts (£50k plus), preferably at the six-figure level.
  • Persuasive and compelling approach to asking for donations face to face and in writing effective proposals and applications for funding within a not-for-profit setting (preferably higher education).
  • Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to demonstrate tact, diplomacy and thoughtfulness when dealing with sensitive matters.
  • A knowledge of fundraising best practice in the higher education sector.

Candidates will need to complete an online application to be considered for this role. This is a full time and open-ended position (permanent). The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate relevant experience in building strong relationships, good attention to detail and a can-do attitude.

Imperial College London employees enjoy a range of benefits, including generous annual leave, subsidised leisure facilities and an excellent professional development programme.


Our Advancement Division has set out to define the values and behaviours we aspire to uphold, so as to create an inclusive, collaborative and successful working culture.

If have any questions or would like to have an informal, confidential chat about a specific role, please contact: Alessio di Capua, Head of Development a.di-capua@imperial.ac.uk

We are running a characteristic anonymised application process for this recruitment as part of the College’s commitment to equal opportunities and eliminating discrimination. Applicants will be assigned an application reference number and applicants’ names will not be visible to recruiting managers until the interview stage. You will not be required to attach a CV. Please include your supporting statement in the text box provided in the application form, please also refrain from including your name in your supporting statement.


Available documents

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