Legacy Manager

At the University of Southampton, our aim is to change the world for the better, bringing together realms of academic research, creativity and knowledge to make ground-breaking impact. We care about the challenges that humanity is facing, and work to support others on a global scale.

In the Office of Development & Alumni Relations (ODAR), our job is to galvanise our community to solve these challenges and make a difference. Would you like this to be your job too?

The Legacy Manager will lead this fundraising activity, developing and delivering a strategy to increase future income from gifts in wills. We receive around £750,000 from legacies each year and over 100 alumni and supporters have confirmed they will remember Southampton in their will.

Building on this strong base, your role will be varied, encompassing all stages of the legacy journey. You will develop high quality communications to encourage our alumni to consider leaving a legacy, including direct mail campaigns and embedding legacy messaging in wider communications. You will build strong relationships with supporters considering a gift, ensuring they have the information they need for their will.

You will deliver high quality stewardship for pledgers and gifts we have received, so families can see the impact of their loved one’s generosity. Finally, you will work with solicitors and executors to receive legacy gifts into the University and ensure they make a positive impact.

You’ll be supported by our ODAR team – with experts in communications, donor relations, data & analytics and major gift fundraising. You will be able to draw on this expertise to help you deliver in the role.

Gifts in wills make a huge difference at Southampton – from helping to find more effective treatments for cancer and supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This role is an opportunity to take the programme to the next level and make a real difference to people’s lives.

Above all, you will be excellent with people, building lasting relationships with our alumni and supporters. You will recognise the importance of sensitivity and empathy, whilst also being a confident ambassador for the University, writing and speaking with passion about how legacy gifts make a difference. You will have experience of developing a strategy and analysing data to make informed decisions about budget and priorities.

You’ll also be comfortable working with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. design agencies) to develop high-quality communications and stewardship pieces.

We are about to embark on our first University-wide fundraising and engagement campaign. With the full support and investment of our leadership, you can play a role in an exciting phase of the University’s history.

We need people with intellectual curiosity and different ideas. We need people with direct experience or transferable skills and the interest and drive to take on a new challenge. We support a flexible approach to working. We are determined to welcome a diverse group of colleagues into our inclusive team. Every day will be different; you will meet incredible people and the rewards will be huge.

Help us change the world. Join us.

If you’d like to have an informal chat about this role or ask any questions, please contact Emma Smart, Senior Development Manager on or

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity.

• We support a flexible approach to working.
• We are determined to welcome a diverse group of colleagues into our inclusive team.
• Every day will be different; you will meet incredible people and the rewards will be huge.