Alumni Relations and Development Intern

Salary: £28,000 per annum (with annual salary increases)

Contract: Fixed-term, full-time internship (two years)

Hours: 37½ hours per week

Location: Central Oxford

Pembroke College, Oxford, is seeking an enthusiastic, organised, and proactive Alumni Relations and Development Intern to join its friendly and ambitious Development Office. This is an exciting opportunity for a recent graduate interested in pursuing a career in alumni relations, fundraising, higher education, or the charitable sector, offering broad experience across alumni engagement, communications, donor stewardship, events, and development operations.

Founded in 1624, Pembroke is an inclusive and forward-looking College in the heart of Oxford, combining historic buildings with award-winning modern developments. The College is home to a vibrant and diverse academic community and a global network of alumni and supporters whose generosity and engagement help sustain Pembroke’s academic mission and long-term ambitions.

The Development Office plays a central role in fostering lifelong relationships with alumni and friends of the College through fundraising, communications, stewardship, and events. Reporting to the Senior Alumni Relations Officer, with a dotted line to the Development Operations Manager, the Alumni Relations and Development Intern will support the successful delivery of the College’s alumni engagement and fundraising activities while gaining valuable professional experience and training across all aspects of development work.

This role offers a unique opportunity to develop practical skills in relationship management, communications, event coordination, donor stewardship, and database administration within a busy and supportive environment. As the internship progresses, the successful candidate will also gain exposure to frontline fundraising activity, including opportunities to manage relationships with regular donors and participate in mid-level giving initiatives.

The role would suit a highly motivated individual with strong interpersonal and organisational skills, excellent attention to detail, and a genuine interest in higher education fundraising and alumni relations.

Key Responsibilities

Alumni Relations and Communications

• Manage the Development Office inbox and act as a first point of contact for alumni, donors, volunteers, and supporters by email, telephone, and in person.
• Respond to routine enquiries and direct more complex requests to the appropriate colleague.
• Support the delivery of alumni engagement initiatives and communications designed to strengthen relationships with Pembroke’s alumni community.
• Assist with the preparation of briefing materials for the Master, Fellows, senior staff, and volunteers ahead of meetings, donor visits, and events.
• Contribute to the production of digital and printed communications, including sourcing alumni stories, news items, images, and content for publications, fundraising materials, social media, and campaigns.
• Assist with maintaining and updating alumni-related content on the College website.

Database and Administrative Support

• Process updates and amendments to alumni and donor records using the University-wide DARS database.
• Support data cleansing and data improvement projects to ensure the accuracy and integrity of alumni and donor information.
• Ensure the accurate and confidential handling of personal data in accordance with GDPR and relevant data protection requirements.
• Respond to payment- and pledge-related enquiries from donors and potential donors.
• Provide administrative support for meetings and committees, including preparing papers and taking minutes.
• Assist with logistical arrangements for overseas trips, donor visits, and other Development Office activities.
• Support general office administration, including ordering supplies and distributing post.

Events and Engagement

• Provide administrative and logistical support for alumni and donor events in Oxford and elsewhere.
• Process event bookings and payments and respond to attendee enquiries.
• Prepare guest lists, name badges, programmes, and event materials.
• Welcome and register guests at events and provide on-site support to ensure events run smoothly.
• Support the administration of the Pembroke College Ambassador programme.
• Assist with initiatives aimed at engaging current students and recent graduates with the work of the Development Office.

Fundraising and Donor Stewardship

• Support donor stewardship activities, including gift acknowledgement and donor communications.
• Assist with regular giving campaigns, telephone campaigns, mailings, and donor follow-up activity.
• Contact donors regarding lapsed regular gifts, expired payment details, and other donation-related matters.
• Maintain accurate records of donor interactions and fundraising activity on the College database.
• In the later stages of the internship, support mid-level fundraising activity through meetings, telephone calls, written correspondence, and online engagement with prospective donors.

General

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the College and support wider Development Office activities where required.
• Attend relevant training and professional development opportunities.
• Undertake such other duties as may reasonably be required by the Development Director.

Benefits include

• Free or subsidised meals when on duty
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Access to training and development opportunities
• Access to University libraries, museums, and gardens
• Staff social activities 
• A supportive and collegial working environment
• Travel and cycle loan schemes
• Membership of the University pension scheme

About You

You will be a highly organised and personable individual with excellent communication skills and the confidence to engage with a wide range of people. You will enjoy working collaboratively while also being able to use initiative and manage competing priorities effectively in a busy environment.

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• High levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Good administrative and IT skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence communicating with a wide range of people.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and sensitivity.
• Demonstrable interest in alumni relations, fundraising, higher education, or the charitable sector.
• A proactive, flexible, and positive approach to work.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of fundraising, alumni relations, customer service, events, or volunteering activity.
• Experience of using a CRM or database system.
• Knowledge of the higher education sector.
• Experience of telephone fundraising campaigns or donor engagement activity.
• Understanding of data protection and confidentiality requirements.
• Creative approach to communications or events activity.

Working Hours

This is a full-time role of 37½ hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required to support alumni events and College activities, for which time off in lieu will be given.

The successful applicant would ideally take up the position during summer 2026.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter, together with details of two referees, to recruitment@pmb.ox.ac.uk by 9am on Monday, 22 June 2026.

Please note that the College reserves the right to interview on receipt of applications and to appoint prior to the closing date, so early application is recommended.