We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Database & Development Officer to join our Development and Alumni Relations team. This role is central to the effective management of our alumni and donor data, supporting fundraising activity, and ensuring high standards of data integrity, compliance, and reporting.
The position is set to commence asap and will be full time (37.5 hours per week) for 12 weeks (with a pay rate of £18.80 per hour + holiday pay).
Main Duties
Data management and processes
- To maintain the College’s alumni database of c.5,500 records, continually assessing, cleaning, and improving the accuracy and relevance of all data
- To be a ‘Super User’ of the DARS system and be familiar with all data entry processes; to set up reporting functions through queries and other methods to help and facilitate other team members’ needs in their areas of work
- To devise new systems and processes to enable the work of the office to be carried out with ever greater efficiency and effectiveness
- To assist with regular and ad-hoc fundraising and alumni relations projects and support other members of the team in helping them to use the database effectively
- To prepare queries and oversee the production and segmentation of data for all mailings (including email), publications and fundraising appeals; to work proactively and collaboratively with other members of staff responsible for the above initiatives
- To provide accurate data and honour roll lists for the College’s annual report, as well as donor reports
- To plan and arrange data imports as required, e.g., following data collection projects
Gift and revenue administration
- To have oversight of, and responsibility for, all donation information on the database, helping to ensure that donations are recorded and acknowledged in an accurate and timely manner
- To ensure that Gift Aid declarations are secured and processed
- To work closely with the central Gift Registry team and the College’s finance team to ensure that all philanthropic revenue is recorded correctly on DARS and reconciled to a high degree of accuracy with the College’s own records; to support the Finance Office in managing the development and alumni relations section of the College’s annual report
- To produce regular reports on funds received and outstanding pledges for the Director of Development and Alumni Relations and Major Gifts Officer; to produce similar reports on a regular basis for the development and alumni relations committee
Data compliance and quality
- To be responsible for Data Protection, Information Security, Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations compliance within the Development and Alumni Relations Office.
- To manage proactively the quality of information in the database and to suggest new methods to improve information collection within the parameters of current legislation.
- To work closely with the University DARS team to ensure the security of the data held on the database and to resolve any system issues.
- To complete all DARS training modules to become the Kellogg DARS ‘Super User’; to participate actively in extended DARS training and engage with the DARS community through relevant special interest groups.
- To update and maintain the database and data-related elements of the Development and Alumni Relations Office ‘s Policies and Procedures documents and to oversee the upkeep of the documents.
Prospect identification and research
- To undertake prospect research using a variety of sources, with keen attention to detail and understanding of the College’s fundraising aims.
- To identify new potential prospects and make initial assessments of their giving capacity, inclination, and affinity, in collaboration with the Director of Development and Alumni Relations.
- To write research briefs and detailed biographies on prospective and current donors for the President, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, or others.
- To create draft guest lists for cultivation and stewardship events based on prospect research.
- To work with the Director of Development and Alumni Relations and Alumni Relations Officers to establish and maintain an effective and dynamic prospect management system.
Reporting and stewardship
- To produce regular financial reports on campaign and fundraising progress for internal committees.
- To prepare and compile data for annual benchmarking surveys.
Development and Alumni Relations Office Team
- To assist the Director of Development and Alumni Relations in all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the Development and Alumni Relations Office; to analyse processes and suggest ways in which they might be improved.
- To provide guidance and support to other members of the Development and Alumni Relations team as required.
Other
- Take advantage of appropriate training opportunities as these arise, to keep up to date with relevant skills and developments
- To take an active role in the Development and Alumni Relations Office by contributing to wider departmental plans and strategy as appropriate
- To always maintain confidentiality
Selection Criteria:
- We are seeking an experienced database specialist who is familiar with fundraising or alumni databases and has experience within the not-for-profit sector. Experience within the education sector is not essential.
- Strong technical skills including fluency in Microsoft Suite and a high level of skill in using a relationship database (such as, but not limited to, DARS and Raiser’s Edge) and their related applications.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to translate technical processes into standard English and communicate effectively with other colleagues about administrative processes.
- Strong inter-personal skills and experience of dealing with a wide range of people including students, staff, senior academics, external partners, and international visitors.
- Experience of developing and implementing systems and processes to support the activities of a busy office.
- Experience in the gathering, processing, analysis, and practical use of a wide variety of data; able to synthesise data and research from a wide variety of sources to assist colleagues and senior staff in making strategic decisions
- Able to understand the fundraising and alumni relations priorities of the office, as well as the broader aims of the College, and tailor database work accordingly.
- Proven ability to communicate the content and functionality of the database in an accessible and user-friendly manner to those who are not specialists; an ability to use the database creatively and in several different ways to achieve a variety of objectives.
- Understanding of privacy and data protection law including the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and with discretion.
- The ability to alter working hours as some planned evening and weekend work will be required
Vacancy ID: 23562
Please be aware that all candidates need to be able to start work immediately and must be able to work on site if required to do so.
Further information can about the Temporary Staffing Service can be found on our website https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/temporary-staffing-service