Director of development and alumni relations jobs
How's your job search on our site?
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
The Difference is seeking a Director of Engagement and School Partnerships to grow our traded relationships with schools and sector partners, and build the systems and team to deepen impact at scale.
This senior role ensures partnerships, delivery and learning work as one coherent cycle from first contact to long-term partnership.
Key Responsibilities
- Grow traded relationships : build and convert a pipeline of trusts and LAs into our programmes
- Build a sequenced pipeline :turn engagements from press and events into a journey towards deeper work
- Design the partner journey :map and improve from first contact through onboarding and renewal
- Develop CRM and systems :track relationships and income with discipline
- Org-wide leadership :senior ambassador and leadership team member
About The Difference Every day, 5,500 children are suspended from England's schools, doubling their NEET likelihood by 24. The Difference tackles this through whole school inclusion training leaders, researching what works and turning insights into policy. Our vision: lost learning falling nationally by 2030.
About You: Essential
- Shared values and commitment to the children most affected by lost learning
- Credibility with schools, trusts and local authorities
- Experience designing end-to-end partner journeys
- Hitting income targets while staying honest about quality
- Knowledge of school improvement or inclusion to work with programme experts
- Building routines that help a team deliver consistently
- CRM or pipeline experience to drive decisions
- Managing relationships :expectations, risks and progression
- Strategic judgement :balancing delivery against long-term value
- Managing people and building a culture of clarity, care and accountability
- Critical friend in a senior team
Desired
- Background in partnerships, engagement, account management or business development
- Experience scaling a programme while protecting quality
- Experience building business cases for school-sector audiences
- Experience designing renewal or progression models
- Experience with schools, trusts, LAs or education charities
- Insight into children affected by exclusion, poverty or SEN
Please see the attached Job Description for full details. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage applications from under-represented groups. All applications assessed with names and protected characteristics redacted.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
The Difference exists to improve the life-outcomes of the most vulnerable children by raising the status and expertise of those who educate them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
George Watson’s College wishes to appoint a Senior Philanthropy Officer to lead the school’s individual giving and legacy fundraising initiatives, and support major programmes and campaigns. Develop strong relationships with donors and our alumni community to grow philanthropic income and long-term engagement.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Individual Giving
-
Lead the planning, execution and optimisation of individual giving efforts. Manage campaign setup, timelines, assets, and donor experience.
-
Monitor performance and analyse results to drive continuous improvement in participation, engagement, and revenue.
-
Collaborate with Admissions and Marketing, and other internal teams, to source and develop compelling content.
-
Along with the Head of Development, manage a fundraising communications calendar and play a leading role in content creation.
-
Collaborate with the Admissions and Marketing team to ensure website content, landing pages, and donation pages support digital giving goals.
-
Execute fundraising strategies in partnership with the Head of Development. Build, segment, code, and deploy emails to support giving campaigns and organisational priorities.
-
Manage a portfolio of donors linked to specific programmes and campaigns.
Legacies
-
Plan and deliver multi-channel legacy marketing campaigns (print, digital, events)
-
Build and maintain relationships with legacy pledgers and prospects
-
Deliver high-quality, sensitive stewardship to recognise and retain legacy supporters
-
Organise events and communications to engage legacy supporters
-
Produce compelling and sensitive legacy messaging and materials
Campaign/Programmes
-
Manage and grow the patrons programme, including recruitment, retention, and upgrades
-
Develop a clear donor journey, including benefits, communications, and recognition
-
Monitor performance against income targets and KPIs
-
Work in collaboration with Heads of the Creative Arts programmes to monitor and administer funds for maximum impact across the arts
Foundation Places and Enrichment Fund
-
Support impact reporting and administration of discrete aspects of our widening access programmes.
-
Manage application process to the Enrichment Fund, including managing enquiries, disbursements and liaison with Finance.
-
Any other duties related to these programmes as directed by senior staff.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
Essential:
-
Relevant degree, professional qualification or equivalent professional experience
-
Demonstrable experience in Individual Giving, Direct Marketing or Legacy fundraising, with an annual income return of 6+ figures
-
Proven track record of delivering successful multi-channel campaigns
-
Strong understanding of supporter journeys, acquisition and retention
-
Skilled in data analysis, performance tracking and forecasting
-
Proficiency with graphic design tools, experience with Canva would be an advantage.
-
Demonstrable experience with Raisers Edge, or similar CRM system
-
Ability to manage complex projects and programs and deliver to set KPI and timelines
-
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
-
Experience with content writing, brand voice, and digital fundraising best practices.
-
Ability to build and foster relationships across business functions.
-
Understanding of charity law, GDPR and best practices in fundraising
-
Commitment to high level of professional standards
-
Genuine appreciation of George Watson’s College’s mission and the ability to communicate it
Desirable:
-
Fundraising or marketing qualification such as CIOF accreditation or CIM qualifications.
-
Event management experience
-
Experience of working in the education or charity sectors
-
Understanding of the Independent School sector
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.