Contract Communications, PR Jobs

About TASO

The Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO) is an affiliate What Works Centre, and part of the UK Government’s What Works Movement. Our vision is to eliminate equality gaps in higher education (HE). Our mission is to improve lives through evidence-informed practice.

TASO was set up in 2019 and became an independent charity in April 2021. Our work focuses on the generation, synthesis and dissemination of high-quality evidence about effective practice in widening participation and student outcomes. We primarily focus on developing and disseminating causal evidence. 

The Role

The Head of Communications and Engagement will lead TASO’s communications and engagement work plan to raise the profile of the organisation. They will also lead on TASO’s evidence mobilisation work plan, working with the Chief Executive, to ensure TASO’s research and evaluation outputs are effectively disseminated. 

This will involve ensuring a strategic approach to all communications activities, leading on the delivery of external-facing materials and publications, overseeing a vibrant social media presence and events programme. The role will have overall responsibility for a website redevelopment project over the next year. 

• Ensure a strategic and effective approach to communications, dissemination and stakeholder engagement.

• Lead on the design, branding and dissemination of innovative and engaging communications – both print and online, including oversight of the editorial and publication process for all TASO research reports and resources. 

• Lead on TASO’s evidence mobilisation plan, working with the Chief Executive and Research and Evaluation Team to ensure research outputs are effectively disseminated and achieve impact.

• Support the Chief Executive on delivering TASO’s policy aims. Lead on engagement with and monitoring of Westminster activities (e.g. select committees, reports, consultations) and liaise with key communications and policy stakeholders in the Department for Education, Office for Students and other relevant bodies.

• Take overall responsibility for TASO’s online and social media presence. This will involve overseeing a critical website redevelopment project over the next year and also includes oversight of the creation, upkeep and management of digital channels and content.

• Lead on TASO’s media relations, producing high quality press releases and news stories for the website, liaising with journalists, as appropriate.

• Lead on the delivery of a programme of stakeholder engagement events for a wide range of audiences. The events will range from small training sessions to larger events including publication launches and an annual conference.

• Provide line management for communications staff who will support all activities – including two direct reports and overseeing a team of three. 

• Undertake projects and duties as required or requested by the Chief Executive or broader team.

Development Manager required to help with our dynamic photography teaching projects for young creatives  5- 18 years; this includes structuring the photography projects, developing the organisation,  fundraising, grant applications, taking an interest in the community and its needs. Development experience and enthusiam required.  

We are also looking for an intern/volunteer. 

Title: Alumni & Giving Manager (maternity cover)

Reports to: Director of Alumni Relations, with dotted line to Director of Giving & Engagement

Start date: May 2024

Contract type: Fixed-term maternity cover contract, one year

Salary range: £43,000-£45,000 per annum

Overall Purpose:

The Alumni & Giving Manager works with the Director of Alumni Relations and Director of Giving & Engagement to support activities and fundraising initiatives for a broad and dynamic community of former students, parents and employees. As the lead on all alumni, alumni parents, grandparent, and former employee giving, this person implements the strategy for garnering these constituents’ philanthropic support of ASL. As a member of the alumni office and as a part of the advancement team, the Alumni & Giving Manager helps fulfill the school’s priorities for growing an engaged, supportive and inclusive alumni community.

Summary of responsibilities: 

 Supporting the alumni office

• Schedule and conduct alumni tours

• Manage alumni email account

• Oversee Eagle mascot volunteers and costume

• Support events: help staff events, coordinate logistics

  • Founder’s Day

  • Student-facing activities

  • Parents of alumni holiday social

  • London Alumni Social

  • Alumni Quiz Night

  • Class reunions

• Contribute to alumni communications

  • Draft and publish stories for e-newsletter

  • Write posts for social media

Managing  ASL Connects alumni platform

Supporting Grandparent constituent cultivation

• Contribute to Grandparent newsletter content (3 times a year)

  • Pitch ideas

  • Draft posts and captions

Supporting the Annual Fund 

Serve as lead on alumni, parent(s) of alumni, and past staff giving, including creating strategies to achieve these constituents’ financial and participation goals 

• Coordinate appeals for participatory level giving; overseeing the design for participation and giving challenges

• Stewarding donors

• Manage the ASL Giving Committee (AGC) volunteers

• Manage appeal timeline

• Support Grade 12 fundraising program 

Supporting the Planned legacy giving

• Maintain vendor partnerships with FreeWill in the US and with Farewill in the UK

• Oversee the execution of cultivation and stewardship emails 2-4 times a year as it relates to communications and events

• Any other duties that are within the scope, spirit, and purpose of the job as requested by the Director of Alumni Relations or the Director of Giving and Engagement.

Essential qualifications/experience

• Knowledge and understanding of education  or charity environments 

• Highly organized, strong time management skills and detail oriented 

• Self-motivated and must work well on a team

• The ability to interact positively with stakeholders and colleagues

• A positive and flexible attitude toward working

• A proven commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of children

Desirable qualifications/experience

• Experience working in fundraising and alumni relations, preferably working in an American, international and/or independent school environment

• Experience using Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge or similar CRMs

Do you possess strong relationship management skills and have a passion for people and fundraising? If so, this could be just the job for you.

Job Purpose

The function of this role is to work with the Head of Development to devise and implement a programme of successful alumni events and fundraising for The Glasgow Academy.

Alumni Engagement: The focus is to build positive relationships with all members of the school and wider communities, including that of the former Westbourne School for Girls. The postholder will help to deliver The Academy’s alumni engagement strategy and volunteer programme, including various events, reunions and the like, with the aim of providing a pipeline of engaged individuals willing to support the School through their time, expertise, connections and philanthropy.

Development Manager: The post holder will coordinate and support the systems and procedures underpinning the cultivation and solicitation of donors; manage a series of 1-2-1 meeting with and small cultivation events for donors/prospects and prepare appropriate communications to support the same.

The post-holder will report to the Head of Development. The Development Team sits within the External Relations office which works to support the continuing development of The Academy through admissions, marketing, alumni relations, fundraising and by promoting the school’s achievements and aspirations as a centre of excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising:

· Maintain and grow relationships with key former pupils, current parents and potential donors to devise and execute bespoke programme of involvement and communication that lead to (major and regular) gifts.

· Work with Head of Development to implement specific strategies for engagement opportunities including involvement in FP programmes, invitations to events, visits to campus, and individual meetings with members of staff or Senior Leadership Team.  

· Devise and implement fundraising strategies to include: Capital Campaign Fundraising, Named Prizes, Fundraising for Bursaries/Legacy Giving/Regular Giving. Hold direct 1-2-1 solicitations and draft and send gift agreements to solicit gifts.

· Ensure all donations are recorded and thanked promptly/appropriately in CRM In Touch database. Build and export queries or lists for various events, mailers and groupings as needed.

· Maintain accurate, up-to-date and GDPR-compliant potential and current donor records.

Events and communications:

· Manage the planning, execution and promotion of alumni events for potential supporters (alumni, parents and staff) – which will include some evening and weekend work.

· Make full use of The Academy’s existing calendar of events as a means of engaging with potential supporters.

· Organise catering, transportation and other elements necessary for the successful running of alumni events.

· Contribute to and assist with the publication of the former pupil magazine.

· Develop, collate and edit content (and edit copy written by others) for the alumni section of The Academy’s website, newsletters and publications as required, liaising with relevant staff for content, as required.

· Create donation literature to include giving forms and gift agreements.

· Produce, and test, written ‘case for support’ messaging.

· Assist with the writing, design and production of fundraising communications.

· Organise email communications with alumni via InTouch database email system.

· Produce written materials for a range of school and alumni communications.

· Maintain the school’s online alumni social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) and drive up participation across all platforms.

Other:

Be prepared to undertake projects appropriate to the level of the role but that might fall outside its direct remit as the Head of Development, Director of External Relations, Rector or Chair of the Board of Governors may advise.

Person specification - knowledge, skills and experience

· Interpersonal: The ability to build excellent relationships with a wide range of people, including alumni, parents, staff, pupils, volunteers, donors and prospects.

· Written communications: The ability to write messages that are clear, convincing and inspiring. Experience of writing and managing mass communications by letter and email.

· Enthusiasm: A positive attitude and a genuine enthusiasm for people and fundraising.

· Organisational: Attention to detail and deadlines. The ability to manage multiple projects over long periods.

· Independence: The ability to act independently using initiative and good judgement.

· Strategic: The ability to think strategically and tactically, particularly in relation to fundraising.

· Presentational: The ability to address and engage an audience or individual with confidence, authority and clarity. The capability to act as an informed, credible representative of The Academy.

· Fundraising: A track record of successful income generation through fundraising. Experience of running fundraising campaigns, appeals, events.

· Education: A good general level of education, including a degree or equivalent.

· Creativity: The ability to adapt to new situations and address problems from new perspectives.

· Flexibility: Prepared to travel nationally and internationally as necessary and to work outside regular hours as required.

· Interpersonal: A good sense of humour and a willingness to work closely - and with flexibility - in a close and interdependent team.

· IT: Proficiency in standard office software and, preferably, experience of working with a customer relationship management (CRM) or alumni database.

· Commercial: An awareness of business and pricing negotiations as well as knowledge of the implications of gift aid and IHT on donations.

· Engagement: An understanding of, and belief in, the aims and ethos of independent education.