Please note this vacancy is only open to current University of Glasgow employees.

Job Purpose

As the University’s lead in gift management, develop and deliver compliant, donor-focused processes, manage the receipt and processing of all philanthropic gifts, and provide expert guidance on complex gift arrangements, to support the success of philanthropic programmes.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

1. Develop, implement and maintain effective operational processes for the University’s gift management, acting as specialist lead, ensuring that all philanthropic income (and related commercial income e.g. from alumni events) is received, processed, recorded, reconciled, allocated, disbursed and stewarded accurately, compliantly, and in line with donor wishes, gift agreements, gift acceptance and supporter service standards.

2. Manage the processing, recording, allocation and disbursement of c.£10M in philanthropic income annually, from a wide variety of fundraising programmes, giving methods and sources.

3. Identify and resolve service issues, analyse opportunities and implement improvements to systems, processes and procedures to enhance efficiency and donor experience.

4. Manage, monitor and maintain gift and fund records to the highest standards (using the Raiser’s Edge CRM and related systems), ensuring accuracy, consistency and the facilitation of compliance with both internal and external requirements (e.g. GDPR, Scottish Charity Regulator, Fundraising Code of Practice, HMRC Gift Aid, financial audits, and donor care requirements). This is in respect of both the requirements on the University and the separately registered charity, the University of Glasgow Trust.

5. Provide authoritative guidance to colleagues across the University and to donors on complex giving arrangements and fund management and provide gift modelling to support complex philanthropic fundraising proposals.

6. Design and produce reports and management information on gift income, expenditure, allocations, fund balances and forecasts (using The Raiser’s Edge and university finance systems) for Trustees, committees (e.g. Fundraising Advisory Board), academic, Finance and ER / D&A colleagues and for sector benchmarking reports (e.g. CASE Insights on Philanthropy).

7. Lead preparations for audits and formal scrutiny of gift management processes (e.g. internal audit and external audit of donations relating the University and the University of Glasgow Trust).  Be responsible for the preparation of the financial reporting data and information for the University of Glasgow Trust annual report and financial statements, liaising with Central Finance to ensure accounts are accurate, audited and consolidated into the University’s financial statements. Prepare and ensure accurate and timely submission of external financial returns relating to donations received by the University and the University of Glasgow Trust (e.g. HMRC gift aid claims, HMRC Trust and Estate tax return and OSCR annual return).

8. Contribute to broader policy and process development, interpreting business needs and recommending changes to gift management activity to support fundraising success and enhanced service provision.

9. Embed effective donor care by ensuring timely acknowledgements, accurate financial tracking of gifts across the University and transparent reporting on gifts and giving histories.

10. Lead, develop and support the Gift Management team, setting objectives, managing performance and providing professional development to ensure high standards of delivery and effective contribution to operational and strategic plans.

11. Manage budgets for Development and Alumni Management Team to support effective decision-making to achieve value for money and effective service delivery.

12. Represent the University externally on matters relating to gift and fund management, maintaining sector awareness and adopting best practice.

13. Deputise for the Head of Planning and Development Operations (P&DO) as required, and support continuity of service across the P&DO team.

14. Undertake projects appropriate to the grade of the role but that might fall outside its direct remit, as required by the Head of Planning and Development Operations, Director and/or Vice Principal External Relations.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:   

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification) or equivalent including being professionally qualified in a relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role.

A2 Understanding of gift management principles and practices, including compliance and donor care requirements.

A3 Knowledge of financial and CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge or equivalent, and Agresso or equivalent).

A4 Knowledge of privacy and data protection issues and of the requirements of working with personal and confidential information.

Desirable:

B1 Advanced knowledge of the Raiser’s Edge.

B2 Accounting qualification.

Skills

Essential:

C1 System and process management: Ability to create, review, and develop fit-for-purpose systems and processes to manage philanthropic gifts and funds.

C2 Regulatory and policy application: Ability to interpret regulations, policies, and donor requirements and apply them effectively in an operational context.

C3 Financial reporting and budget management: Ability to prepare management information, charitable accounts, other returns, and manage budgets efficiently.

C4 Organisational and project management skills: Excellent organisational and time management skills to lead multiple initiatives, prioritise competing demands, and ensure timely completion.

C5 Communication and interpersonal skills: Highly effective written, numerical, presentational, and oral communication skills, with the ability to distil complex financial and operational information into clear reports for decision-making.

C6 Strategic thinking and problem-solving: Ability to contribute constructively to strategic planning, with sound judgement, analytical and problem-solving capability, particularly in finance and systems.

C7 IT and technical proficiency: Advanced competency in IT, including Microsoft Excel, financial management software, and Raiser’s Edge (or equivalent).

C8 Team leadership and stakeholder engagement: Ability to manage, lead, and inspire a team; work collaboratively across departments; provide advice and solutions influencing beyond authority; and respond sensitively and professionally to the needs of philanthropic supporters and internal stakeholders.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience in public or charity sector donation or financial management, including forecasting, reporting, and administering income, funds, and budgets using financial management software.

E2 Experience of designing, reviewing, and documenting income/gift procedures.

E3 Experience of using CRMs.

Desirable

Experience:

F1 Experience of gift management in a higher education or charity setting.

F2 Experience of Raiser’s Edge (or equivalent) CRM.

F3 Experience of leading and managing a team.

F4 Experience of influencing, negotiating and providing authoritative guidance to colleagues or stakeholders.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £50,253 - £58,225 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

Closing date: 9 December 2025.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect: 

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.