The challenge

Kingston University is an ambitious institution with a growing national and international reputation. As the University prepared for a period of increased philanthropic investment, there was a clear need to strengthen and expand its major gifts function within the Development and Alumni Relations Office.

Our approach

Kingston University partnered with Charity People to deliver a complex, multi‑role recruitment project, requiring a coordinated approach to ensure pace, quality and consistency across all appointments. The brief required the simultaneous recruitment of six permanent roles, including a new Head of Major Gifts, alongside senior, mid‑level and specialist fundraising positions.

This was a complex, high-volume project requiring deep sector knowledge, a tailored marketing and engagement strategy, and a partnership approach to ensure consistency, pace, and high-quality hiring across all roles.

Working closely with the Director of Development and the Head of Alumni Engagement and Operations, we shaped a process grounded in inclusion, long-term impact and cultural alignment. The search spanned the HE sector, the wider charity sector and beyond, while maintaining a strong focus on fundraising experience and key technical skills for each role. This approach enabled the University to access a broad and diverse talent pool, while ensuring clarity across overlapping briefs and consistency throughout the recruitment process.

The outcome

Charity People successfully appointed all six roles within the agreed timeframe and the university secured:

• An inspiring Head of Major Gifts with strategic leadership experience from the HE sector
• Two Development Managers – Major Gifts bringing strong relationship-building and solicitation expertise
• A Development Officer – Major Gifts with huge potential for long-term growth
• A Development Officer – Prospect Research and Systems with excellent analytical capabilities
• A Development Manager – Individual Giving to revitalise midlevel and regular giving programmes

The result is a confident, fully resourced team equipped to drive forward major donor fundraising and alumni engagement at a critical moment in Kingston University’s development journey.

Impact

This recruitment project has enabled Kingston University to:

• Significantly expand their major donor pipeline
• Strengthen stewardship and prospect research capacity
• Build a high-performing team with a shared vision
• Accelerate long-term fundraising growth across individual giving and major gifts

The partnership between Charity People and Kingston University demonstrates what can be achieved through a well-managed, multi-vacancy talent strategy grounded in collaboration, sector expertise, and agile delivery.

Philippa Randle is an executive search and fundraising recruitment specialist with over 15 years’ experience in fundraising and recruitment, building lasting relationships and connecting exceptional fundraisers and non-profit leaders with purpose-drive organisations.

As Principal Consultant with Charity People, she has led over 100 specialist, senior and board-level searches across the UK’s charity, arts and higher education sectors.