Change the world, starting with your career

A global team. One shared purpose. 

Development and Alumni Engagement is one of the world's leading university fundraising and alumni engagement departments, bringing together more than 200 colleagues united by a shared purpose: helping Oxford change lives through philanthropy and lifelong engagement. 

We build lifelong relationships with donors, alumni and supporters around the world, working in partnership with academics, departments and colleges across the collegiate University. Together, these relationships help secure philanthropic support for Oxford’s highest priorities, from world-leading research, graduate scholarships and academic posts to libraries, museums and collections, capital projects and other strategic initiatives that shape Oxford’s future.

Through the Oxford Excellence campaign, our work supports the University’s ambitions across health; climate and the environment; and society, community and citizenship, helping turn today’s most pressing challenges into tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

Working here means becoming part of a collaborative, ambitious and supportive community where your contribution has purpose and your career can flourish. 

You'll find:

• meaningful work with global impact
• the opportunity to contribute to one of the world's leading university fundraising and alumni engagement departments, helping deliver the ambitious Oxford Excellence campaign
• inspiring colleagues working across a wide range of professional disciplines
• flexible and hybrid working
• an excellent package of University benefits
• a genuine commitment to your personal and professional development. 

Read a message from our Chief Development and Alumni Engagement Officer about working in DAE.

Development and Alumni Engagement brings together a broad range of professional expertise to support Oxford's philanthropic ambitions and lifelong engagement with its global community.

Our work spans:

• Fundraising – including major gifts and principal gifts, trusts and foundations, legacies and divisional fundraising.
• Alumni Engagement – building lifelong relationships with Oxford’s world-wide alumni community.
• Advancement Operations – providing the expertise, insight and operational excellence that support fundraising and alumni engagement.

Together, we work in partnership with academics, departments and colleges across the collegiate University to secure philanthropic investment and build enduring relationships that support Oxford's teaching, research and public mission. 

Although based in Oxford, the scope of our work reaches around the world. We collaborate closely with colleagues in our overseas offices in Hong Kong, Tokyo and New York, working together with alumni, donors and partners across the world. Whatever your role, you’ll be part of a global community working together to advance Oxford’s mission. 

Fundraising

Our fundraising teams build trusted, long-term relationships with philanthropists, trusts, foundations and corporate partners whose generosity supports Oxford's academic priorities.

Working closely with academics and senior University leaders, fundraisers develop meaningful partnerships that help secure support for research, scholarships, academic posts, libraries, museums, capital projects and strategic priorities.

Opportunities exist across a wide range of fundraising disciplines, including major gifts, principal gifts, trusts and foundations, legacies and divisional fundraising.

Whether you're an experienced fundraiser or looking to bring transferable skills from another profession, you'll find a rewarding career where your work has lasting impact.

Alumni Engagement

Oxford's alumni community spans the globe and plays a vital role in the life of the University.

Our Alumni Engagement teams create opportunities for graduates to remain connected with Oxford throughout their lives through communications, volunteering, events, networks and departmental engagement.

Working closely with departments, colleges and international colleagues, they strengthen relationships that benefit both alumni and the wider University community.

Advancement Operations

Exceptional fundraising and alumni engagement are made possible by outstanding professional expertise.

Our Advancement Operations teams provide the insight, systems, communications and operational excellence that support everything we do.

Career opportunities exist across areas including:

• Prospect Research
• Donor Relations, Stewardship and Fundraising Support
• Events
• Marketing and Communications
• Philanthropy Writing
• Development and Alumni Relations Systems (DARS)
• Administration and Finance
• Policy and Governance
• Talent Management and Recruitment 

These teams work in close partnership with colleagues across DAE, helping to deliver exceptional experiences for donors, alumni and supporters while enabling successful fundraising and alumni engagement.

There is no single route into Development and Alumni Engagement.

Our colleagues have joined us from higher education, charities, communications, marketing, finance, research, events, professional services and many other sectors. Not every role requires a degree, and previous experience in fundraising is not essential for many of our positions. We value transferable skills, diverse experience and the potential to grow just as highly as previous sector experience.

Wherever you begin your career with us, we'll help you develop it.

We invest in our people through structured induction, mentoring, coaching, professional development and opportunities to learn from colleagues across the collegiate University. Our aim is simple: to help every colleague build a rewarding and fulfilling career.

All colleagues receive membership of CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education), the global association for advancement professionals, providing access to internationally recognised training, conferences, research, benchmarking, networking and professional resources.

You'll also become part of Advancing Oxford, the collegiate University's professional network for colleagues working in development, alumni relations, communications and related disciplines. Through seminars, workshops, conferences and networking events, Advancing Oxford encourages collaboration, knowledge-sharing and professional connections across the collegiate University.

Whether you're taking your first step into fundraising, alumni engagement or advancement operations, or preparing for senior leadership, you'll be supported to learn, develop and thrive throughout your career.

We know that talented people come from many different backgrounds, and we welcome applications from individuals who bring fresh perspectives and transferable skills.

Across all our roles, we're looking for people who can communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences, build trusted relationships and work collaboratively in a complex environment.

Our colleagues are:

• excellent communicators
• confident in building relationships with diverse stakeholders
• curious and eager to learn
• resilient and adaptable
• self-aware and emotionally intelligent
• proactive and motivated
• supportive and collaborative. 

Above all, we're looking for people who demonstrate respect, courtesy and consideration in everything they do and who share our commitment to creating a positive, supportive and inclusive environment for everyone.

Wherever you have developed these qualities, we'd love to hear from you.

As part of the University of Oxford, you'll benefit from one of the UK's leading employee benefit packages, including generous annual leave, an excellent pension scheme, flexible and hybrid working, family-friendly policies, wellbeing support and extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

The University also offers staff networks, sports facilities, childcare support, relocation information and a wide range of initiatives that help colleagues thrive both professionally and personally.

We are proud to be part of a University that values diversity and inclusion and holds a Silver Athena Swan Award in recognition of its commitment to advancing gender equality, representation, progression, and success for all. 

Find out more about working at the University of Oxford.