Senior Development Executive - Humanities

University of Oxford - Development and Alumni Engagement, University Offices

Placed On: 18th December 2025

Closes: 19th January 2026

Job Ref: 184054

Location: Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD With possible options for hybrid working.

Salary: Grade 8: £49,119 - £58,265 per annum with possible extension to £63,489, including an Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year (pro rata).

In September 2025 Oxford opened its new home for humanities, the state-of-the-art Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. Building on our successes in recent years, we are growing the team with a new senior fundraising role that will work with world-class academics and artists in our faculties and in the Centre’s cultural programming.

In addition to housing a Humanities Library and 7 academic faculties, the Schwarzman Centre includes a world-class, purpose-built concert hall space, theatre, cinema and ‘black box’ performance space, creating a new home for music, film, performing arts and visual arts in Oxford and transforming the experience for students, academics and the local community. The building will create a step change in the visual and performing arts in Oxford.

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. We are looking for a new senior fundraiser to join our energetic team to raise major gifts for the Humanities Division.

About the Role

This fundraiser will work closely with senior academics in the Humanities Division. The post will focus primarily on funding for posts and scholarships in the academic faculties as well as securing support for the activities of the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities.

To Be Successful You’ll Need:

• To be an experienced development professional with a strong track record of securing major gifts and the ability to secure gifts in the range of £100k-£1m+
• Confidence to work with people from a range of backgrounds, both internally and externally
• The ability to think creatively in prospecting, cultivation and stewardship by identifying and maximising opportunities
• To work well as part of a team, with the capacity to work independently on projects and priorities
• A passion for the arts and humanities, and an awareness of the funding landscape in the UK and internationally

Application process:

• Click on the ‘Apply’ button above and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be taken to our online Applicant portal.
• Applications should consist of a full CV and a letter of application in your own words, in PDF format (maximum of 2 pages; no AI-written applications, please) outlining your motivations to apply for this role, your relevant experience and how you meet the criteria of the person specification.

Only applications received before 12.00 noon on Monday 19 January 2026 can be considered.

Interviews are currently scheduled to take place on Tuesday 27 January 2026, in person in Oxford.