Assistant Director for University Advancement and Engagement

About the role

The Assistant Director for University Advancement and Engagement supports the Director of the Office of University Development and Alumni Affairs (OUDAA) by providing strategic, operational, and governance leadership for the university’s stakeholder engagement and resource‑mobilisation programmes.

Key responsibilities

• Assist the Director in formulating, reviewing and translating OUDAA strategies, policies and annual plans into integrated advancement directions across development, alumni formation and campaigns.
• Ensure coherence and alignment of alumni engagement, donor development and stewardship initiatives across the university.
• Provide governance oversight of the major‑gifts solicitation process and strategic oversight of resource‑mobilisation programmes (major gifts, endowments, naming opportunities, family and planned giving).
• Coordinate marketing, PR and communication strategies with advancement objectives in partnership with the Campaign and Marketing Head and the University Marketing and Communications Office.
• Guide donor prospecting, portfolio development and engagement strategies, linking donor interests to university initiatives.
• Cultivate and sustain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to secure long‑term institutional support.
• Deliver consolidated impact and stewardship reports for university leadership, the Board of Trustees and other stakeholders.
• Develop executive‑level briefing materials and strategy papers to support decision‑making for the Director and President.
• Direct the strategic direction of alumni engagement and formation, aligning them with institutional priorities and strengthening partnerships with alumni associations.

Required profile

• Proven experience in university advancement, fundraising, alumni relations or related stakeholder‑engagement functions.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate policies into actionable plans.
• Experience overseeing major‑gift processes and resource‑mobilisation programmes.
• Ability to analyse performance metrics and provide data‑driven insights.
• Excellent communication skills for reporting to senior leadership and external partners.

Required skills