Stewardship Officer

Philanthropic support creates meaningful opportunities for students and researchers across the University of Bristol. The Stewardship Team is responsible for recognising, celebrating and reporting on the impact of philanthropic gifts at all levels, to deepen relationships with donors and increase support for the University. We are recruiting two Stewardship Officers to develop and deliver a varied and vibrant programme of stewardship activity.

Both roles will deliver a wide range of stewardship activities, including writing donor reports across scholarships and research, delivering student focused or donor events and donor visits to campus. One role will have a focus on our donor-funded scholarship programmes and engaging with current scholars. The other role will have a focus on our donor Giving Circles, ensuring robust recognition processes and quality donor experiences.

Work with the Philanthropy Managers to plan, write and deliver a high number of bespoke reports and stewardship communications for mid to high level donors, including gathering feedback from funded students, researchers and academic colleagues across the University.

Coordinate mass stewardship reports and events for donors or scholars, working in collaboration with Global Engagement communications, data and event specialists.

Plan and organise opportunities for donors to visit campus, for example to meet with student scholars and/or researchers.

Monitor Giving Circles membership to ensure robust data processes and deliver Giving Circle communications to recognise different levels of donor support.

Work creatively with the wider Philanthropy team to deliver bespoke gifts for high-level donors.

Coordinate and monitor data from scholarship and stewardship programmes, at times working with colleagues across the University, to ensure smooth processes and meet internal and external reporting requirements.

Plan and deliver communications to donor-funded student scholars throughout the academic year to increase engagement and generate content for supporters.

You have experience of working in stewardship, supporter relations or fundraising.

You have excellent communication skills with experience of producing writing to a high standard and to a significant volume.

You have experience of planning and organising events.

You have strong interpersonal skills, enabling you to build positive relationships with student scholars and colleagues across the University.

You have proven experience of working on multiple projects in a busy work environment, with excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

You are comfortable working both independently and collaboratively within a team.

You have an enthusiasm for supporting students and researchers through fundraising and a belief in the importance of universities to society.

Hybrid working arrangement: This role offers hybrid working, with team members typically attending the office at least one day per week.

As part of the role, there are regular in-person responsibilities to support major donor engagement activities, including donor visits that are scheduled according to donor availability. These visits usually take place during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 9.00am–5.00pm) and may occur several times each academic term.

The postholder will also support a number of events throughout the year, which may require occasional evening working and travel, including visits to London. Flexibility is therefore essential.

For informal queries please contact: Rebecca Marks-Patrzala - Stewardship Manager - [email protected].

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.