"Deputy Development Director"

University of Cambridge - Corpus Christi College

Location:Cambridge Salary:£50,000 Hours:Full Time Contract Type:Permanent Placed On:4th February 2026 Closes:27th February 2026 This role will suit a frontline major gifts fundraiser who is motivated by purpose and partnership, and who wants to work in an environment where philanthropy is about long-term impact, not short-term transactions.

Corpus Christi College exists to support outstanding education, research, and student opportunity. Philanthropy plays a central role in sustaining that mission. The College has strong foundations in place and is now looking for an experienced major gifts fundraiser to help deepen relationships and secure transformational support.

The Role

You will personally manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects, typically capable of gifts in the £50,000 to £250,000 range, with some larger opportunities. You will lead relationships from first engagement through to stewardship and six-figure asks, taking time to understand donors’ motivations and connect them meaningfully to the life of the College.

Alongside your own portfolio, you will contribute to the leadership and day-to-day running of a small development team. This includes supporting colleagues, strengthening stewardship practices, and helping ensure donors feel valued, informed, and part of something enduring. This is a hands-on fundraising role, grounded in thoughtful relationship building.

What you will be doing

• Building trusted relationships with major donors and prospects
• Developing personalised cultivation and stewardship plans
• Preparing compelling cases for support and donor proposals
• Making confident, well-judged six-figure asks
• Personally raising at least £250,000 per year
• Working closely with senior academics and professional colleagues
• Supporting a collaborative and supportive team culture

What we are looking for

This role is only suitable for candidates who can demonstrate:

• Frontline major gifts experience
• A track record of initiating, stewarding, and closing six-figure gifts
• A relationship-led approach grounded in listening, empathy, and judgement
• Confidence and credibility working with senior stakeholders and donors

Why this role stands out

• A values-driven institution with a clear educational mission
• An environment that prioritises thoughtful stewardship and donor care
• Real scope to shape relationships and see long-term impact
• A supportive, collegiate team that values collaboration over ego
• A role where purpose and professionalism sit comfortably together

Experience in higher education is welcome but not essential. What matters is your ability to build authentic donor relationships and steward significant gifts with care and integrity.

If you are a major gifts fundraiser who wants your work to contribute to something lasting, and who values collaboration as much as results, this is a role worth exploring.

Closing Date: Friday 27 February 2026, Noon

First interview to be held on Thursday 5 March 2026

Further details about the role and how to apply can be found here.

To apply for this role please send a covering letter and CV addressed to the Director of Development and Alumni Relations to recruitment@corpus.cam.ac.uk via the above ‘Apply’ button.