Assistant Director of Development & Alumni
Posted
9th March 2026
Closing Date
6th April 2026
Salary
£69,488 - £75,919
Location
Cambridge / Chelmsford
Interviews Scheduled
w/c 20th April 2026, on a date TBC
About ARU:
ARU is a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. ARU holds a Gold award for the quality of its education, awarded through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
ARU’s research institutes, four faculties, academic partners and Writtle College bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK’s Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world leading. We are one the largest providers of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the UK, and among the UK’s leading universities for degree apprenticeship provision, working with hundreds of employers across the UK.
About the Role:
We are now seeking to appoint an Assistant Director of Development & Alumni to play a leading role in the realisation of our collective aims and strategy. This is an exciting time to join ARU and an outstanding opportunity to drive innovation across the institution.
Reporting to the Director of Marketing, Communications and Recruitment and working closely with other key senior colleagues and stakeholders including the Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Development and Alumni Office.
You will Lead ARU’s Development and Alumni function, delivering a step-change in philanthropic income and alumni engagement. This role will shape and implement a strategic approach to fundraising and alumni relations that supports ARU’s mission, values and long-term ambitions.
Your leadership and expertise will enable the development and delivery of a university wide Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Strategy that advances ARU’s institutional priorities. It will also involve defining and implementing a segmented donor and alumni experience framework to strengthen engagement and maximise giving potential. As a values led institution, key to success will be an alignment in achieving the universities vision and values.
We are seeking an exceptional leader with a proven track record of developing and implementing development & alumni initiatives across comparably large scale, diverse and complex portfolios. You will possess excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills, and will be able to build effective and collaborative working relationships, demonstrating a proactive and positive approach to contributing to the work of the team.
The role offers a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious professional to play a leading role in the future success of the University and its wider impact across the region.
How to apply
Applications should be made via email to simon@dixonwalter.co.uk and will include on separate documents:
- a letter of application setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the person specification (no more than 2 pages)
- a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- details of three referees and notice period (referees will not be contacted without your permission)
- a completed Personal Details Form (available above)
Closing date for applications is 11.59 pm on Monday 6th April 2026
Final interviews are expected to take place in person during w/c 20th April 2026, on a date TBC.
In making an application for this role we ask you also to view our Privacy Notice which outlines our compliance to General Data Protection Regulations and the use and storage of your data. Personal Data is held and processed on the lawful basis that such action is in the Legitimate Interest of the company in pursuing the purposes described and has been considered through the use of a Legitimate Interest Assessment utilising the Balance Test to not be outweighed by risks to the rights, freedoms and interests of the Data Subject.
Please note that our client is legally obliged to confirm that the appointee is eligible to work in the UK. As of 1 January 2021, government restrictions have changed. For further information visit the Home Office website at http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk
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