The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Stewardship Officer to join our Development directorate and provide key support within a small fundraising team (8 members).

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The Development Team at the British Academy raised over £5 million in 2022/2023 and is keen to build on this success. Funding is sought from major donors (high net worth individuals, trusts and foundations, corporates) and individuals (Fellows, alumni and event attendees) for restricted and unrestricted activities. 

The British Academy’s fundraising is supported by a Development Board comprising senior Fellows and external members who provide advice and guidance to the Development Team. Members of the Board act as ambassadors for the Academy and help to build strong relationships with new donors and existing supporters.   

The Stewardship Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the stewardship of major donors to the Academy. Reporting to the Stewardship Manager, this position focuses on delivering the operational side of a donor relationship and facilitating vital communications with supporters.  Ultimately, you will help ensure that supporters feel understood and valued resulting in continued engagement with the Academy.

You will be able to approach your work creatively and look at each interaction with supporters as an opportunity to strengthen their relationship with the British Academy.  To do this you will work closely with the Development Team, supporting efforts across different Teams to deliver privately funded programmes (Research Awards, Communications, and Finance Directorates). 

We have a flexible working environment but will require the Stewardship Officer to be present in the office a few days each week to ensure that they are able to understand the team, the working environment and to feel connected and supported.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Stewardship Operations and Delivery

• Reporting - Collaborate with lead fundraisers and delivery teams to assist in reporting and servicing gift/sponsorship agreements.

• Invoicing - Work with the Stewardship Manager to invoice for programmes supported by major donors.

• Income processing & acknowledgement – Working together with the Individual Giving Manager, the Finance Team, and the Database Manager to accurately process and record monthly income and send acknowledgements for donations.

• Press releases – Work with the Stewardship Manager and the Communications Team for marketing and promotion of privately funded programs including acting as a liaison between the British Academy and Donors press offices.

• Database/reporting – Assist in accurate updating of stewardship information in the database and aid in creation of reports for income and other stewardship activities.

Development Communications and Marketing

• Create and manage the Development newsletter for donors and senior volunteers.

• Working with the Stewardship Manager on creating timely communication with major donors, including tailored interactions and event invitations.

• Contribute to the creation of compelling marketing material for various communications channels (e.g. reporting templates, marketing assets for donors).

Team Administration

• Manage diary co-ordination and booking of meeting spaces for meetings that Academy staff/senior volunteers have with prospects, donors, and members of the Development Board.

• Take the minutes of quarterly Development Board meetings.

• Provide administrative support for the Development Team including: monitoring and responding to emails that are sent to the Development Inbox; setting up rooms for internal meetings (e.g. monthly Development Team Meetings); assisting with office administration (e.g. managing incoming/outgoing post, and printing).

• Contribute to team data needs more broadly (e.g. compiling names of prospects and donors for annual Season’s Greetings cards and providing reports to aid with Development Team data requirements).

Other Requirements

• To support other areas of fundraising by attending cultivation and donor events as required.

• Stay updated on the latest developments in fundraising by attending conferences, participating in forums, and reading sector media.

• Any other duties as may be reasonably required by the Director of Development or Head of Development.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal

Development Team; Research Funding Team; Communications Team; Finance Team; Central office

External

Donors; Senior volunteers; Fellows; Prospects

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

Undergraduate degree – desirable but not essential

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Is proactive in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with others internally and externally.  

• Adopts a communication style appropriate to the situation and the audience, understanding that communication is two-way. 

• Is sensitive to different working styles and views, adapting where appropriate.  

• Is willing and able to compromise and negotiate, including to resolve possible conflicts.  

• Handles difficult situations with sensitivity & respect.  

• Promotes a positive impression of the Academy both internally and externally.  

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage a varied portfolio with minimum day to day input from the line manager.

• Knowledge of CRMs and their function within a development office

• Knowledge of the fundraising environment in the UK

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams, and experience of using Zoom (or other video communication applications).

• Minute writing (desirable but not essential)

• General accounting skills (desirable but not essential)

• Knowledge of UK higher education research landscape and the role of prospect research (desirable but not essential)

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Proven ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload taking the initiative, often working to conflicting deadlines.

• Manages own time and resources effectively in order to achieve own, team and organisational objectives. 

• Keeps relevant colleagues informed and seeks input. 

• Monitors progress effectively and adapts plans where possible. 

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Anticipates obstacles and thinks ahead, referring to the appropriate level where necessary. 

• Has a pro-active, can do, attitude, taking personal responsibility for correcting problems or resolving issues. 

• Focuses on solutions and manages pressure. 

• Copes with the unexpected. 

LEADERSHIP

Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions

• Can think outside direct area of expertise and ownership to contribute to the wider strategic aims of the organisation.  

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Professional approach when dealing with a variety of people.

• To be willing and flexible to support colleagues when needed to help the team to achieve its collective objectives.

BRITISH ACADEMY WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview and will involve a presentation.

Please note that you may be asked to reference any literature that you may refer to, as applications that are highly plagiarised and not your own work. e.g. ChatGPT, will be declined.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 6/7 March 2024 but this may be subject to change.