Jack Watts

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Alzheimer’s Society

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

Since Exeter, I have enjoyed a career in the charity sector, working across marketing and fundraising. I started working at Exeter CITY Community Trust, following a marketing internship through the Career Zone, before moving to London to work in fundraising for national charities including Prostate Cancer UK and now Alzheimer’s Society. I work as an Individual Manager, leading a team to create some of the charity’s flagship fundraising appeals. I am currently on secondment as the Senior Marketing Manager for Events, leading a team of marketing professionals to deliver campaigns across TV, Radio, Print, Social Media, and other marketing channels.

In addition to my paid roles, I have had a number of voluntary roles including as a Governor of the Deaf Academy in Exmouth and the Interim Chair of Trustees of the Nightline Association. I have also been a Judge for the Data and Marketing Association awards, which awards marketing strategy and creativity from national brands. From 2021 to 2023 I also worked as a self-employed fundraising consultant.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I knew that I wanted a career with meaning, and to contribute to a purpose I believed in, which felt like a great fit for the charity sector. I’ve always been both analytical and creative, and marketing has been a great way to use both of these skillsets. The best part of my work is the people I work with, both at Alzheimer’s Society and the agencies, suppliers, and partners I work with. I enjoy building great relationships and working together to create excellent fundraising campaigns to help beat dementia.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

I enjoyed having the flexibility to learn about things other than just maths. I did a really interesting module in the History of Mathematics, as well as taking two elective modules of British Sign Language in my second and third year of my course. When I realised early in my degree that my career likely wouldn’t be strictly relevant to maths, it was great to have the flexibility to learn about other things that interested me.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

The societies at Exeter were excellent, there was something for everyone and it really helped me to find my group when I started university. Most of the people I’m still friends with are people I met through music groups!

What societies, groups or sports clubs were you a member of?

Contemporary Choir, Concert Band, Choral Society, Clarinet Choir, and Flute Choir.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

The skills I developed through my extra curricular activities (lots of society committees!) have been the most useful to me, even though I didn’t even know I was developing them at the time! These include project management, working with others, and even marketing – there’s not as much difference between getting students to come to an event and managing a multi-million pound marketing campaign as I thought, the fundamentals remain the same!

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Consider smaller, local charities as well as large national charities – you learn a lot from working at those kinds of places (I did!) as you have to get involved in a bit of everything. The skills I developed and opportunities I was given at my first job at a local charity in Exeter continue to have a great impact on my career years later. I’d also encourage anyone interested in charities to look at volunteer opportunities, if they’re able. Lots of charities are now quite flexible with how much time you need to give, and where the role can be done from. It’s a great way to get an idea of how charities work.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m hoping to continue pursuing my career in fundraising and the charity sector, and eventually become a senior leader in fundraising at a national charity. I’m looking forward to meetings lots more great people, learning as much as I can, and hopefully doing my part to make a difference in causes that mean a lot to me.