Job Purpose

The John Smith Centre is seeking to recruit a Centre Development Manager to support the Centre Director in growing the centre’s student programmes and delivering our fundraising strategy.

Working with the director, the position has oversight over the day-to-day management of the Centre and our unique programme of development programmes for students in Scotland. The postholder will also implement the director’s fundraising strategy, working with colleagues in the College of Social Sciences to boost the Centre’s income.

The successful candidate will therefore need to build relationships with potential donors and devise and execute bespoke events and programmes to fund the centre’s activities.

The post-holder will report to the Centre Director and will work closely with the Centre’s management Board and with a range of high-level internal and external stakeholders.

We want to lead by example, and as such, we are particularly interested in seeing applications from under-represented groups and those with lived experience of inequality. All applications are treated with fairness and equity.

Our ideal candidate would have a strong background in project delivery, a commitment to public service and breaking down structural barriers that prohibit equality of opportunity, and a desire to work in a fast-paced but friendly working environment in a growing and ambitious team.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Oversee the operational functions of the John Smith Centre, in particular our suite of student development and internship programmes at the University of Glasgow.

2. Strategically advise on, develop and deliver the director’s fundraising plans in collaboration with Director, Management Board and the University’s Development and Alumni Office.

3. Identify, cultivate support and manage relationships with prospective and active individual donors, corporates, trusts, and foundations .

4. Research the availability of trusts and foundations and write targeted applications to support our programmes and achieve fundraising income targets.

5. Support the director in planning and managing fundraising events and donor relationships.

6. Produce compelling performance and evaluation reports for funders and other donors.

7. Manage the operational functions of the John Smith Centre, including the development, management and delivery of the Centre’s portfolio of programmes and activities, including research, advocacy and events, and internship and development programmes to operationalise the Centre’s strategic plan.

8. Along with the Centre’s Research and Engagement Manager, to deputise occasionally for the Director and represent the John Smith Centre with internal and external stakeholders.

9. Drive the Centre’s portfolio of programmes and activities for the lifecycle of each project. This includes securing project funding; project initiation and development; management of each project and its resources; agreement of service levels and means of delivery; establishment of robust delivery schedules that meet funder requirements; applying discretion in coordinating project delivery activities to meet project outcomes; and completion of continuous improvement and evaluation activities

10. Management of John Smith Centre administration staff. developing plans for the delivery of required administrative work; monitoring progress of work against agreed plans, evaluating alternatives and initiating corrective action when required; undertaking development and performance management of admin staff.

11. Operationalise and deliver the Centre’s commitments to tackling systemic inequalities.

12. Support the director in planning, managing and delivering the Centre’s events programmes on campus at the University of Glasgow.

13. Support the Research and Engagement Manager in delivering the comms and marketing of the Centre including its web presence, social media accounts and printed publicity.

14. Work in collaboration with the Director the Research and Engagement Manager to implement press strategies, respond to media enquiries and prepare press releases.

15. Any other duties commensurate with the level of the post.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar or number of different roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4), or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).

A2 Knowledge of funding sources and fundraising

A3 Knowledge and understanding of financial and administrative practices and procedures

Desirable:

B1 Knowledge of University of Glasgow and Scottish Higher Education, including knowledge exchange processes and administration

B2 Understanding of different media agendas

B3 An understanding of politics, the UK and Scottish political landscapes and public service

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent analytical and strategic planning skills

C2 Fundraising skills

C3 Proactive with excellent problem solving and motivation skills

C4 Strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to convert these to operational plans

C5 Proven people, project and financial management skills

C6 Ability to build new relationships internally and externally with key stakeholders and supporters

C7 Proven high-level communication and interpersonal skills including negotiating, influencing and presentation skills

C8 Proven ability to prioritise and plan effectively

C9 Excellent time management and organisational abilities with demonstrable high level of administrative skill and exceptional attention to detail

C10 Excellent IT skills, covering the full suite of Microsoft Office products

Desirable:

D1 Creative approach and horizon scanning to conceive, devise and implement new opportunities

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience in a relevant role with qualifications or evidence of progression and development

E2 Operational and line management experience

E3 Experience of providing support and advice within a high profile environment

E4 Experience of devising and delivering projects and programmes

E5 Experience of strategic planning and delivery

E6 Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment

E7 Experience of working in a team environment

Desirable:

F1 Experience of working with politicians and policy-makers

F2 Experience of website management and social media

Other

Flexible approach to workload content is required. Evening and weekend work is necessary at times. Occasional travel may be required. Access to confidential and sensitive information, which needs to be treated with discretion and in accordance with University guidelines and Data Protection legislation

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,247 - £45,163 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent).

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.