Development and Alumni Manager

Salary

The gross salary scale applicable to the post is Senior Manager Grade scale: €88,232 - €113,479 per annum (as at 01/08/2025).

Hours of Work

The appointee will be required to work 35 hours per week together with such additional hours as may be required from time to time for the proper discharge of their duties. The nature of the work may require working outside normal working hours as required from time to time.

Annual Leave

30 days annual leave per annum. The ‘annual leave year’ operates from September to August. Annual Leave will be in accordance with arrangements authorised by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science from time to time.

Standby Panel

A standby panel may be formed from which vacancies for this role may be filled.

Information about Department / Function

South East Technological University (SETU) was established on 1 May 2022. The University has a total student population of 18,500 students with campuses in Waterford, Carlow, Wexford, and Wicklow. SETU aims to ensure growth in education provision and enhanced research opportunities, as well as transformative community and industry engagement across the South East of Ireland and beyond.

Mission

Through inclusive education and high-quality research, South East Technological University drives innovation, empowers communities, and delivers transformative impact for the South East of Ireland. SETU is an international, entrepreneurial, and connected multi-campus Technological University that will drive sustainable economic, environmental, cultural, and social development in the South East of Ireland.

SETU offers a student-centred education and is committed to lifelong learning, access, equality and inclusion, and to the provision of a comprehensive educational offering. Our curriculum is responsive to social, cultural, and enterprise needs and is research-led. Our research will have an impact for the region, nationally, and internationally. SETU will work in support of student and staff success and foster a collegial environment for all.

Values

Our values underpin who we are and provide us with the foundation on which our identity and vision is fostered.

At SETU:

• We place students at the centre of what we do.

• We promote excellence.

• We work collaboratively.

• We embrace equality, diversity and inclusivity.

• We act sustainably, responsibly and ethically.

• We treat others with respect.

We act out of these values and, through the Strategic Plan, Connecting for Impact 2023-2028, will embed these values and associated behaviours in the governance, management and operations, teaching and learning, research and innovation, engagement and other activities of the University.

Collaboration and Innovation

Our aim is to put collaboration at the heart of everything we do. We partner with industry to shape our approach to teaching and develop new services and ideas. We learn from the latest approaches in education and research. We aim to build global partnerships to give our students—and our region—the best chance of success.

Overview of Role & Context

This is an exciting time for SETU as it strives to achieve the goals set out in its Strategic Plan 2023–2028. A key strategic initiative is the advancement of its philanthropic, corporate, and alumni engagement strategy.

To support this objective, SETU is recruiting a Development & Alumni Manager to establish and lead a new Development and Alumni function in the first instance, which may in time transition to an independent SETU Foundation.

This role will be instrumental in implementing the philanthropic strategy to enhance the University’s profile, build new partnerships, and raise vital funds in support of key initiatives, projects, and programmes at SETU. This key appointment will play a leading role in supporting SETU’s mission and achieving its goals in relation to development and alumni activities.

The Development & Alumni Manager will drive the growth and development of the University’s philanthropic and associated public engagement efforts. A key initial focus will involve working closely with the appointed philanthropy consultants, who have been specifically appointed to support the development of the fundraising and partnership strategy, to build a network of individual, corporate, and philanthropic partners, and identify potential sources of grant funding.

Reporting to a relevant Vice or Senior Vice President, the Development & Alumni Manager will also work closely with the President of SETU, along with other members of the Executive Management Team, key stakeholders across the university, and externally in the community.

Key Responsibilities / Duties

The main purpose of the role includes:

• To implement the comprehensive plan for a major philanthropic strategy to deliver the required sustainable funding for SETU to fulfil its ambitions.

• To work closely with the President and Executive Management Team, and other relevant staff members on the implementation of the philanthropic strategy.

• To develop, cultivate and manage relationships with corporate and philanthropic partners and individual donors.

• To maximise contributed income from public and private sources, including high-impact donors, strategic corporate partners and philanthropic foundations.

• Work collaboratively across the university including with those who have responsibility in relation to government grants, statutory and EU Funding, including research and commercial funding.

• Develop and promote a legacy giving programme at SETU.

• Develop and implement the alumni engagement programme at SETU.

• To devise and deliver philanthropic, partnership engagement, and communication campaigns for SETU programmes and innovations.

Key Duties of the PostLeadership Responsibilities

• Liaise closely with the President and Executive Management Team regarding development opportunities and donor engagement.

• Create and implement an annual development plan to progress the strategy.

• Work to ambitious, achievable fundraising targets across all private and philanthropic income lines, liaising with the Finance Office to ensure projections are captured and income recorded appropriately.

• In collaboration with the Finance Office, set and manage an annual budget for the development office in line with philanthropic and partnership activities.

• Produce quarterly analysis of key statistics for purposes of tracking, monitoring results, and improving performance.

• Establish due diligence, ethical fundraising, gift acceptance, and any other associated appropriate policies and guidelines for SETU.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build effective relationships across a wide range of stakeholders to ensure effective and timely communication.

• Key contact for SETU Foundation Board or any other relevant boards or committees (once established).

• Key conduit between the Executive Management Team, Governing Body, and other staff members as it relates to philanthropic opportunities.

• Oversee prospect research across individual, corporate, and philanthropic strands.

• Develop donor partnerships and explore new areas of income for SETU.

• To engage with international, national, and regional businesses in the South East and build long-term, strategic, sustainable partnerships.

Support and Enable Good Governance

• Together with the President, the Governing Board, and Executive Management Team, and SETU Foundation Board (once established), ensure that the SETU delivers robust governance and high ethical standards in all its activities, ensuring its legal obligations are met in compliance with all relevant legislation including, as appropriate, company and charity law and best practice guidelines.

• Provide strategic and administrative support to relevant steering committees and sub-groups, ensuring effective governance and decision-making.

• Prepare and deliver reports, updates, and recommendations to SETU Governing Body, Executive, and other committees.

• Ensure that all charity regulation requirements for the SETU Foundation (once established) are met and report on any measures to address gaps.

• Ensure that SETU decisions are translated into actionable plans.

General

• Execute the production of philanthropic donor proposals, grant applications, and all necessary materials for corporate partnerships, philanthropic and foundation giving.

• Work closely with the President, Vice President, Governance, Executive Management Team, and Brand Manager to develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and public affairs strategy for philanthropy and partnerships and to ensure good stewardship of corporate partners, sponsors, foundations, and donors.

• Keep up to date on philanthropy trends and charity sector development through engagement with sector bodies such as Philanthropy Ireland and Charities Institute Ireland.

• Attend networking and business events where SETU prospects may be identified.

• Host regular networking and donor cultivation events at SETU.

• Develop and utilise marketing tools to support donor and partnership acquisitions.

• Implement and manage a donor management software (CRM) and development system.

• Ensure that all data is stored in full accordance with GDPR.

A panel may be formed from the competition from which future vacancies may be filled. The University may decide to interview only those applicants who appear from the information available to be the most suitable, in terms of experience, qualifications, and other requirements of the post.

About You

The ideal candidate for the Development & Alumni Manager role will be a strategic leader with a proven track record in building philanthropic strategies, high-impact, major donor relationships, stakeholder engagement, and income generation.

They will have the ability to establish and drive a new Development & Alumni function, working as part of the President’s Directorate and with the Executive Management Team, to implement good governance practices to deliver a sustainable philanthropic strategy.

A strong background in securing philanthropic investment, crafting compelling cases for support, excellent financial acumen, operational experience, and building high-value partnerships is essential.

While experience in the not-for-profit sector is preferred, candidates with transferable skills from corporate, education, health, science, or cultural sectors will also be considered.

This role requires a highly skilled communicator with the ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders, from senior leadership and governance bodies to corporate investors and philanthropic partners.

The successful candidate will bring strong project management capabilities, an entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to develop and implement policies that align with the best practices in charity regulation. They will be results-driven, with a passion for innovation and collaboration, and will play a critical role in shaping SETU’s long-term philanthropic strategy.

The nature of the work may require working outside normal working hours as required from time to time.

Academic Qualifications

• A relevant level 8 degree.

Professional Knowledge & Experience

• Demonstrated expertise in philanthropic strategic planning and financial and budget planning.

• Strong track record in leading strategic philanthropic activities, engaging high-impact major donors, and securing philanthropic and corporate investment.

• Proven experience in developing and delivering innovative and entrepreneurial income generation.

• Prior experience in developing and communicating compelling cases for support.

• Strong influencing and negotiation skills at the most senior levels internally and externally, particularly engaging with academics.

• Significant experience in meeting substantial philanthropic targets at 6 and 7 figure levels from a range of sources and a proven track record in cultivating donors and funders.

Specific Knowledge & Skills (Stakeholder Engagement and Communications)

• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholder groups.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to juggle many tasks.

• Negotiate and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

• Proficiency in building strong relationships with supporters and collaborating with executive management teams, Board members, other University staff, and volunteers.

I.T. Skills and Other Technical Skills

• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office, CRM software, MS Teams, financial systems, donor databases, and research tools.

Specific Personal Qualities

• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to maintain good stakeholder relationships.

• Demonstrable experience in providing leadership and guidance.

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).

• Advanced project management skills, including structured methodologies for tracking milestones, identifying risks, and addressing barriers.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with a focus on achieving positive outcomes.

• Advanced knowledge of developing and implementing appropriate policies to achieve compliance with charities governance code.