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How University of Warwick successfully united its development and alumni engagement functions
Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing,
9
(2),
136-148
(2024)
Abstract
In 2018, the University of Warwick embarked on a project to build an integrated development and alumni engagement team by merging what were then entirely separate development and alumni engagement functions. This paper reviews that merger, outlining how Warwick arrived at a shared vision and strategy while overcoming practical management challenges and the concerns of staff members. It will share learnings from two specific strategies that were deployed to assist with the integration process: agreeing upon and socialising a team behaviours framework and setting department-wide objectives and key results. These techniques allowed Warwick to create a culture of empowerment and ownership within the newly integrated team, encouraging everyone to participate in new stretch ambitions. This case study will provide suggestions for other advancement professionals undergoing restructures and building teams aligned to a common goal. For those not undergoing a restructure, it will share ideas for increased collaboration within an existing or newly aligned team, with guidelines on how to bring diverse groups of people together under one new strategy or vision.
Keywords: development; alumni relations; merger; restructure; behaviours; objectives and key results
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Andrea Crowley is Deputy Director of Development (Alumni and Supporter Engagement) at the University of Warwick, with responsibility for both the alumni and supporter engagement and development services functions. Having joined the university in 2002, she played a key role in developing the strategy to merge the development and alumni engagement teams. Her 20 years' experience in fundraising, the charity sector and IT have enabled her to become a leader in advancement in higher education in the UK. She chaired the CASE Europe Development Services Conferences in 2022 and 2023.
Natalie Lloyd joined the University of Warwick in August 2019 to drive forward the team's new, ambitious vision for philanthropy at Warwick: to deliver the university's strategic priorities towards 2030.  With over 20 years' experience working in higher education, Natalie has honed her skills as a strategic leader in university fundraising and supporter engagement, with experience from the University of Southampton, Keele University and the University of Birmingham where she developed her fundraising experience.
Ruth Lindley is Senior Fundraising Writer at the University of Warwick, responsible for articulating Warwick's fundraising priorities against the university's strategy and vision. Ruth brings her experience of both higher education philanthropy and academic research to the role, having completed her PhD in history in 2019. Prior to joining Warwick, Ruth worked across regular giving, legacies and trusts and foundations fundraising at the University of Birmingham and the University of Oxford.
