Senior Administrative​/Development Officer; Maternity Cover

About Birmingham City University

At Birmingham City University, we are a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries. We aim to become an exemplar anchor institution, creating and sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society. We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world‑class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment for our staff.

Recognised as one of the UK’s Top 250 employers (Financial Times & Statista), we pride ourselves on being a place where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to grow their careers while contributing to the success of our students and communities. Our student demographic reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Birmingham itself, with a significant proportion of students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and the majority of our home students coming from the West Midlands.

This diversity is one of our many strengths, and it calls for a workforce that is equipped to challenge deficit narratives and thinking — those assumptions that position students from underrepresented groups as lacking rather than recognising their assets, strengths and potential. By embracing this perspective, we aim to create an environment where all students and colleagues can thrive, and where our work contributes positively to the social, cultural and economic life of Birmingham and beyond.

Although the formal job description is aligned to a Senior Administrative Officer role, we are seeking a candidate with charitable fundraising / “Development Officer” experience who can support the delivery of ambitious fundraising and donor engagement activity at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire during a period of maternity leave. Birmingham City University’s Development Office is seeking a personable, proactive and goal‑oriented Development Officer to support the Head of Development in delivering significant growth in charitable support through a fundraising campaign for the Conservatoire.

Working closely with the Head of Development, you will play a key role in generating philanthropic support for a range of fundraising priorities and projects including student hardship, learning and participation, and new performance opportunities. You will manage and grow your own pipeline of prospects, including individuals, members and grant‑making trusts, delivering strategies to engage supporters and contributing towards agreed income and activity targets.

You will also support donor stewardship and regular giving programmes, including an existing membership scheme, growing an annual fund and working on a range of stewardship opportunities and events. This role provides an excellent opportunity for someone working in the arts, charity or higher education sectors who is looking to further develop their career in fundraising and development on a fixed‑term basis.

The successful candidate will be a confident written and verbal communicator with excellent relationship management skills, able to present complex information effectively to different audiences and work collaboratively with colleagues and external stakeholders. You will be organised, entrepreneurial and motivated by achieving challenging goals and deadlines.

You will:

• Develop and manage relationships with prospective donors, members and grant‑making trusts to support fundraising priorities.
• Maintain, grow and manage a pipeline of prospects, supporting engagement strategies, donor cultivation and stewardship activity.
• Support fundraising campaigns and projects, working towards agreed income and activity targets.
• Research and identify new fundraising opportunities and potential sources of support.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior colleagues, donors and partners.
• Support the delivery of donor stewardship and regular giving programmes, ensuring a positive supporter experience.
• Coordinate fundraising events, meetings and engagement activities.
• Produce high‑quality reports, presentations, briefing…