Communications manager for major change programmes jobs

Are you an experienced, skilled and passionate fundraiser, able to write compelling proposals and applications for trusts and major donors? Can you inspire and persuade both existing and potential key supporters to partner with Church Mission society and bolster our mission with significant financial support – to help people at the edges discover and follow Jesus?  

Ø  Permanent, 35 hours per week.

Ø  Hybrid working – approximately two days a week at CMS House, Oxford.

Ø  Starting salary of £35,750 1 FTE, with a generous pension contribution: up to 10 per cent employer contribution on annual salary. Incremental increases to salaries are applied annually.

Ø  CMS offers 36 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) as well as enhanced paid sickness, maternity, paternity and adoption leave

Ø  CMS supports the mental wellbeing of its employees and offers a generous rewards and wellbeing package, including:

· Access to 24/7 employee assistance programme with qualified counsellors.

· Regular wellbeing coffee mornings.

· Support on menopause for women.

· Up to three volunteer days per annum.

· Up to three family emergency leave days per annum.

· Retreats and resources for prayer life.

We welcome applications from everyone. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from minority groups as they are currently underrepresented within our organisation at this level. All appointments are made on merit of skill, experience and potential as set out in the job description and person specification.

Your role

We are looking for a proactive and talented individual who has demonstrable experience of working in trust fundraising, and who can build rapport and meaningful relationships with key trustees and major donors. Writing and submitting applications and proposals to trusts will be the core focus of your role, with a view to securing sizeable donations for the work of CMS. You will also have a small caseload of existing individual major donors and small family trusts to both retain and grow their financial giving. You will have outstanding relationship building skills and an ability to establish rapport quickly with existing and prospective trusts and major donors. You will be a confident and able communicator across a variety of media, including written correspondence, telephone, online and in-person face-to-face meetings.  You will be able to demonstrate a strong ability to cultivate existing trust and major donor relationships (or equivalent customer / sales or account management roles) as well as experience of having implemented acquisition strategies in order to grow income through significant major gifts.

The organisation you’ll be joining

Church Mission Society is comprised of people who are passionate about mission and fired up about helping people follow Jesus. For over 200 years CMS has been at the forefront of global mission, living out the gospel of Jesus, seeing lives changed and communities transformed. If you join CMS, you will find an organisation that has been reinvigorated with a fresh vision to make disciples of Jesus among people at the edges, both in the UK and around the world.

What you’ll need to succeed

We are looking for a seasoned and skilled fundraiser who has been successfully working in a trust and major donor environment or equivalent customer facing role (sales / account management), with evidence of retaining and growing an existing caseload of supporters to secure new and significant income to support the charity’s work. You will have solid experience of effectively working across multiple teams and collaborating with others. You will possess the excellent written skills needed to craft successful applications to trusts and major donors, and have a keen eye on the detail. Additionally, excellent database and administrative knowledge are essential.

It is a requirement for this post holder to be a committed and practising Christian as well as committed to CMS’s values and aims.

Further details can be found in the job description and person specification available to download on the CMS website.

Our commitment to you

Our core values of being pioneering, relational, faithful and evangelistic are integral to everything we do, and we work hard to ensure that every member of staff is valued, supported and encouraged to continually learn and develop their skills.

We are committed to the safeguarding and protection of the people we serve, our partners, our volunteers, and our staff. We believe that every child or adult we come into contact with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm and abuse. Our recruitment and selection processes are in line with our Safeguarding Policy and the SCHR Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, which CMS is a member of as part of our commitment to safeguarding.

Closing date

We must get your application by midnight on Sunday 10 May 2026.

Interviews are planned to be held on Wednesday 20 May 2026

To apply

Please send your application form and CV to via our website or by post to HR Team, Church Mission Society, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ.  CVs will only be considered when sent with a completed application form, which is available to download from our website.

Candidates for all UK roles must already be eligible to work in the UK, with a valid visa and work permit if required.

As a member of the Inter-agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, CMS has committed to systematically check with previous employers from the last five years for any ‘SEAH’ (Sexual Exploitation, Abuse or Harassment) issues relating to all potential new hires.

Are you a proactive and detail-oriented finance professional, with experience of charity accounting and a customer-focused approach? The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity is seeking an Assistant Financial Accountant to play a key role within our Finance team, supporting high-quality financial reporting, controls, and compliance across the Charity.

About the Role: The Assistant Financial Accountant is a vital member of the Finance team, supporting the Financial Accountant and Head of Finance in delivering accurate and timely financial reporting. The role has a strong focus on month-end processes, balance sheet reconciliations, audit support, and maintaining robust financial controls.

You will work closely with colleagues across the Charity, providing finance support and guidance, and contributing to the continuous improvement of finance processes and systems. This is an excellent opportunity for a part-qualified accountant looking to develop their technical skills within a rewarding charity environment.

Why Join Us?  The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity supports one of the world’s leading cancer centres, funding ground-breaking research, cutting-edge equipment, and extraordinary patient care. We’ve exceeded our fundraising goals in recent years and aim to raise at least £215 million during our current five-year strategic period.

This is an exciting opportunity to further strengthen and develop the Finance function so it is well positioned to support the Charity through its five-year strategy, while playing a meaningful role in improving the lives of people living with cancer.

Ideal Candidate: You are a part-qualified accountant with a strong understanding of financial accounting principles. You are highly organised, analytical, and detail-focused, with the confidence to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

You bring a proactive, solutions-focused approach, strong communication skills, and a collaborative mindset, alongside a clear commitment to RMCC’s purpose and values.

What We Offer

· 27 days annual leave + bank holidays

· Generous pension scheme with up to 6% employer contribution

· Flexible working options

· Life insurance, employee assistance programme, and more

· Bright, modern offices in Chelsea and Sutton with subsidised canteens

 Inclusion Matters

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and walks of life.

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we’d love to hear from you.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter of no more than 2 pages via CharityJob.

Closing date: Monday 4th May

Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

As Philanthropy Officer, you will build strong, lasting relationships with individuals, families and organisations, helping them to achieve their philanthropic goals while increasing charitable income and delivering meaningful impact in communities across Wales.

We’re looking for someone with a strong understanding of social issues and community needs in Wales, who can use that insight to build networks, identify opportunities and develop tailored support for existing and prospective donors. This role will play a key part in securing new funding, growing our donor base and building high-quality, long-term relationships.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Proven experience in a philanthropy or fundraising relationship management role.
• Ability to identify and develop new philanthropic opportunities, including prospecting and converting new donors.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience of developing, managing and growing relationships.
• Strong communication, evidencing excellent customer relationship with a focus on trust, respect, confidentiality and attention to detail alongside the ability to juggle multiple relationships simultaneously.
• Confidence speaking publicly to a variety of audiences.
• High levels of motivation, be results-driven and able to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Experience of producing compelling reports, narrative and presentations alongside creating tailored donor experiences to inspire donors.
• A strong commitment to your own learning and development. 

Read more in the full job pack.

Some roles are defined before you arrive. This one is defined by you. 

When You Wish Upon a Star grants life-changing wishes for children with terminal and life-threatening illnesses. Every wish is a memory that lasts a lifetime for a family facing the unimaginable. The cause is immediate, emotionally powerful and directly translatable into the kind of impact that makes corporate partners proud to be involved. 

We are looking for someone to create and lead our corporate partnerships function. You will shape the strategy, develop the partnerships and define what this looks like for Wish. You will have the full backing of the CEO and board, direct access to senior leadership, and the freedom to bring your own thinking, creativity and ambition to a function that is yours to build. 

If that sounds like the role you have been waiting for, we would love to hear from you. 

What you will be doing 

You will identify and secure corporate partnerships that are deeply aligned with our mission, developing propositions that are emotionally compelling and commercially credible. You will represent Wish confidently at senior level, create the systems and structures that enable sustainable growth, and lay the foundations for a partnerships team that grows with the income you generate. As income grows, so does the role. The expectation is that this person builds not just a partnerships portfolio but, in time, a team around it. 

You will work closely with the Head of Income Generation and Board, with realistic targets in the early stage that give you the time and space to build the right relationships rather than rush the wrong ones. This is not a role where you will be left to figure it out alone. It is one where your ideas are wanted, your judgement is trusted, and your ambition is actively supported. 

What you will bring 

Experience securing or significantly influencing high-value partnerships or commercial relationships at senior level, ideally on a multi-year basis. A genuine instinct for spotting opportunity and the drive to turn it into something real and comfort with ownership and the confidence to create momentum.

Relevant experience may come from the charity sector or from a commercial environment. Attitude and instinct matter more to us than a specific background. 

What we offer 

We know what we are asking of you and we have built a package to reflect it. 

• £35,000–£40,000, reviewed as the function grows 

• 25 days holiday rising to 30 with service, plus 3 days at Christmas not taken from your allowance 

• 2 Wish Maker days each year to make your own wishes come true 

• 6 months full maternity pay 

• Full sick pay from day one 

• Flexible working with full trust over how you structure your hours 

• A culture built on genuine care for the people who work here 

Location: Ideally London, but will consider other locations (There will be the expectation for 3 days in London per month and overseas travel)

1st stage interviews: 19th and 20th May (over MS Teams)

2nd stage interviews: 27th May (in London)

Step into one of the most exciting moments in The King's Trust’s history as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary and our most ambitious philanthropic campaign yet. As our new Head of Principal Giving, you’ll be front and centre of a bold national movement to unlock transformational investment for young people; today, tomorrow and for generations to come. This is your chance to support a £150m campaign and help shape and support our growing US philanthropic income stream, paving the way for long-term impact that lasts well beyond our golden year.

In this high-profile role, you’ll build powerful, strategic relationships with philanthropists, trusts, foundations and senior volunteers, inspiring 7 and 8-figure gifts that change lives on a national scale. You’ll bring creative energy, ambition and polished storytelling to every proposal and boardroom pitch, while working closely with colleagues across fundraising to identify, shape and secure the biggest opportunities. With a personal annual income target of £2m+, you’ll love the thrill of big conversations, bold ideas and raising sights as well as funds.

Joining us now means joining a milestone moment. You’ll help write the next chapter of The King’s Trust, building on 50 years of empowering young people and setting the foundation for the next 50. If you’re a confident relationship-builder, with experience in global fundraising, especially in the US, who thrives on vision, strategy and high-value philanthropy - this is your opportunity to make history with us.

What happens next?  

Please submit a CV and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date. 

Why do we need Heads of Principal Giving? 

Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training. The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives, and we couldn’t do this without the important work of our Heads of Principal Giving! 

Perks for working at The Trust! 

• Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year 
• Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
• You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events, etc. 
• In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role 
• Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas. 
• Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network). 
• Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave. 
• Interest-free season ticket loans 
• The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme 
• Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary) 

At Global Witness, we’re on a mission to shift the balance of power from the polluters profiting most from the climate emergency to the people most adversely affected.

We are an independent, global organisation of investigators and campaigners using cutting edge investigative methods. We shine a light on the financial and political systems that enable that enable corporate abuses of power that harm people and planet.

We are all determined and confident that together we can secure a better tomorrow for everyone. If you are inspired to join us as we investigate and expose abuses of power, tell the stories the world needs to hear and campaign for systemic change, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

We are looking for both a Senior Data Investigator and a Data Investigator to join our Data Investigations Team in delivering a major new project focused on abandoned and orphaned oil and gas wells in Europe. The Senior Data Investigator and Data Investigator will work together in the development of the core database underpinning the project’s public-facing map, and carry out rigorous data analysis and investigations that help uncover the environmental, financial and public interest issues linked abandoned to oil and gas wells.

You will also contribute to the wider work of the Data Investigations Team, supporting the development and delivery of other data-led investigations, strengthening data investigation practice across the organisation, and helping ensure that data is used effectively in Global Witness’s publications and advocacy.

About you

You have experience supporting data-led investigations, research or public-interest reporting, and are keen to develop your skills as a data investigator. You are confident working with complex datasets and a range of advanced data collection and analysis methods to identify impactful lines of inquiry and turn complex information into robust, publishable findings. You are interested in helping to build and maintain public-facing databases and data products that support investigations and advocacy.

You are collaborative, with the ability to work effectively across teams, build trusted relationships with colleagues and project partners, and use your skills and expertise to support project goals and campaigning objectives. You are proactive, motivated, and bring good judgement to your work.

Working for Global Witness

Global Witness has a talented team of people worldwide with offices in London, Washington D.C. and Brussels.

We aim to be a diverse and inclusive place to work. We value new perspectives, original ideas and different ways of working. We believe that diverse views and experiences improve the way we do our work. We do our best to make our jobs accessible to all regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or identity.

We offer an excellent benefits package including a competitive salary and 25 days annual leave (excl. Bank Holidays). We also offer healthcare insurance, wellbeing days and policies to support you during key life events.

We are currently in the first year of a shorter working week pilot where everyone works 30 hours Monday to Thursday, with Friday off with no impact on full time salary. We operate a hybrid working model which requires at least 2 days in the office.

How to apply

Please send in your CV (max 2 pages) and a cover letter to PeopleOps by Midnight GMT Sunday 10 May

To help us track your application please use the following in the subject heading of the email: 

• Data Investigator 
• Senior Data Investigator 

Please use the following file name protocol for your CV and cover letter: ‘First Name_Last Name_CV’, ‘First Name_Last Name_Coverletter’.

Interview

Virtual interviews will be held on a rolling basis as we receive applications, with all interviews expected to be completed by 28 May. If anything changes, we will let you know. You will receive the interview questions 1 week ahead of the interview via email to enable you to prepare.

There will be a short technical task, to be completed before the interview. This will be sent in advance and is expected to take no more than 2 hours to complete.

If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make any reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend any interview, please let us know.

Equality and diversity

We would appreciate your participation in completing our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form.

Global Witness wants to meet the aims and commitments set out in its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy. This includes not discriminating under the Equality Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce and candidates in encouraging equality and diversity.

Group Head of Finance
Eltham College Family of Schools | South East London
Salary circa £75,000 + excellent benefits

A rare opportunity to join one of London’s leading independent school groups at a genuinely exciting point of transformation and growth.

The Eltham College Family of Schools — comprising Eltham College Senior School, Eltham College Junior School and Blackheath Prep — is a high-performing, values-led organisation with an outstanding reputation for academic excellence and a rich co-curricular offering. Named London Independent School of the Year 2024 by The Sunday Times, the group continues to thrive despite wider sector challenges.

This is a pivotal appointment.

The newly created Group Head of Finance role offers the chance to step into a business that is not only successful, but evolving — with significant change underway across systems, structure and ways of working. For a commercially minded and hands-on finance leader, this is an opportunity to truly get your teeth stuck into something meaningful.

The opportunity

Reporting to the Bursar and working closely with the Executive Team, you will act as the senior finance professional across the group, providing both strategic leadership and operational oversight.

Crucially, you will join at a time of real momentum:

• A new finance system is being implemented across the group, requiring leadership to embed, optimise and enhance reporting capability
• The finance function is undergoing restructure, offering the opportunity to shape team design, capability and future direction
• There is a clear mandate to modernise processes, strengthen controls and drive efficiencies
• Senior stakeholders are engaged and open to fresh thinking and improvement

This is not a role where you simply maintain — this is a role where you build.

You will lead financial planning, reporting and governance across all three schools, supporting key strategic decisions including investment, estates development and long-term financial sustainability. Alongside this, you will remain close to the detail, ensuring operational excellence across the finance function.

The environment

Set across a stunning 70-acre campus in south-east London, Eltham College combines heritage with ambition. The group benefits from strong financial foundations, high demand, and a clear vision for continued success.

It is a collaborative and values-driven environment, underpinned by a commitment to education, development and community. Staff benefit from excellent facilities, strong leadership, and a culture that genuinely invests in people.

The person

We are looking for a qualified accountant with strong technical grounding and proven experience operating in a senior finance role.

You will bring:

• Experience of leading finance within a complex, multi-entity or multi-site environment
• A track record of improving systems, processes and controls
• The ability to lead through change and bring teams with you
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the credibility to influence at senior level
• A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to balance strategy and delivery

Experience within education or the independent school sector would be beneficial, but is not essential.

Why join?

This is an opportunity to join a thriving organisation that is not standing still — but actively investing in its future.

You will play a key role in shaping a modern, high-performing finance function, with the autonomy and support to make a real impact. For someone motivated by change, improvement and leadership, this role offers both challenge and reward in equal measure.

If interested do get in touch with Rosemary Pini from Allen Lane who is partnering with Eltham College with this vacancy.

Caroline Chisholm School is partnering with Robertson Bell on a retained basis to appoint a Chief Finance Officer on a permanent basis. This is a pivotal leadership role within a high-performing and ambitious organisation, offering the opportunity to shape financial strategy, lead transformation, and support the school’s evolution

Caroline Chisholm School is a high-achieving, values-led all-through school with a strong reputation for academic excellence, staff engagement, and community impact. Already operating at a scale and complexity comparable to a multi-academy trust, the organisation is entering an exciting new phase of growth, with plans to expand into primary provision and formally develop as a MAT.

This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking leadership team and play a central role in driving financial sustainability, operational transformation, and long-term strategic growth.

The role

• Partner with the Principal, Trustees and Senior Leadership Team to develop and deliver a long-term financial strategy, supporting the school’s growth ambitions.  
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting across a complex and evolving organisation, ensuring strong financial control and sustainability.
• Take ownership of a significant transformation agenda, including digital system implementation (Bromcom), contract optimisation, and operational redesign.
• Support with the operational re-design of financial systems providing strategic oversight of major projects such as introduction of Bromcom for financial processes, ensuring robust due diligence, and stakeholder  management.
• Act as a key advisor to Trustees, auditors and external stakeholders including the DfE and Local Authority.
• Drive value for money through effective procurement, contract negotiation and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Lead and develop the finance function, fostering a high-performing, collaborative and forward-thinking team culture.
• Support wider organisational leadership, overseeing linked operational areas including IT and educational visits.
• Identify opportunities for income generation, funding and financial innovation to support future growth.

The organisation

Caroline Chisholm School is a school with a strong ethos centred on kindness, curiosity and integrity. With a highly engaged workforce and a 96% positive staff survey rating, the school offers a collaborative and ambitious working environment.

The organisation has successfully navigated recent financial pressures, delivering significant savings while maintaining educational excellence. With a clear financial sustainability plan in place and strong governance support, the school is now well positioned for its next phase of growth.

Alongside this, a major digital and operational transformation programme is underway, modernising systems and infrastructure to support long-term efficiency and scalability.

Essential criteria

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent)
• Proven experience in a senior financial leadership role within a complex organisation
• Strong track record of leading financial strategy, planning and reporting
• Experience managing multi-million-pound budgets and driving financial sustainability
• Demonstrable experience leading transformation projects (systems, operations or organisational change)
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at Board and executive level
• Commercial mindset, with the ability to identify efficiencies and funding opportunities
• A collaborative and adaptable leadership style, aligned to a values-driven environment

Apply now

If you are a strategic and forward-thinking finance leader looking to make a tangible impact within a high-performing and ambitious organisation, we would love to hear from you. This role requires primarily on-site working during term time, with some flexibility available.

Applications close on the 24^th May but will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

South West Community Chaplaincy (SWCC) aims to provide effective care and community support for people going through the Criminal Justice System, including prison. This includes work such as advocacy, mentoring and holistic support to assist the integration of people with convictions into their communities, through a team of volunteers, within the counties of Cornwall , Devon and West Somerset. 

We are looking for a committed and motivated individual who will be responsible for the recruitment, training, support and retention of the volunteers: someone who has the ability to think outside the box in the approach to this task, and to attract volunteers to be part of something incredible - the changing of clients’ lives.

Volunteers provide a cornerstone of the work that SWCC achieves. They allow the organisation to have a substantially more positive impact due to the greater number of clients they are able to support. To this end, it is imperative that we recruit the right people as volunteers and that they feel fully supported and valued for all they bring to the organisation.

SWCC aims to provide a professional focus and resource for faith communities in the area to establish new and innovative ways of helping participants address their offending behaviour.  We do this by providing a network of support that can challenge and promote a positive attitude to change. This role (in conjunction with the chaplains) would fully explore church networks across the area as a potential source for volunteers. Utilising our training resources, we can offer to upskill congregations in safeguarding and also identify possible safe communities for our clients to be able to join.

There is an occupational requirement for applicants to actively embrace the faith ethos and values of SWCC and the successful applicant will have the ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people. Some occasional weekend work will be involved.

Closing date: Friday 15th May 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 18th May 2026

High School of Dundee is a values-led school with a strong commitment to opportunity, inclusion and community. Its core values of Compassion, Challenge and Collaboration shape both its culture and its approach to learning.

The school is committed to ensuring that pupils feel known, supported and inspired to fulfil their potential. While academic achievement is important, the school places equal value on confidence, self-worth, curiosity, creativity and social responsibility.

Founded in 1239, High School of Dundee combines a proud heritage with a modern, forward-looking outlook. It aims to equip young people to contribute positively to the world around them and to make thoughtful, values-based decisions throughout their lives.

At the heart of this mission is the High School of Dundee Charitable Foundation, established in 2000 as a registered charity. The Foundation exists to widen access to a High School education by supporting talented young people who may not otherwise be able to attend due to financial circumstances.

The Foundation’s key objectives are:

• To raise funds for children who need financial assistance to take up their place at the school
• To raise funds to support the school in providing the best possible learning environment

Through its bursary programme, the Foundation promotes social mobility, inclusion and fairness, while enriching the school community through greater diversity of background and experience.

The school and Foundation also contribute more widely through community partnerships, fundraising activity and outreach work that encourages empathy, responsibility and a culture of giving back.

About the Role

This is a newly created opportunity for an experienced fundraiser to lead the next phase of philanthropic growth for High School of Dundee and its Charitable Foundation.

The role sits within the school but works closely with the Foundation, which is a separate entity with its own Board of Trustees and lay members. All funds raised are received by the Foundation and distributed to support agreed priorities, most notably bursaries for talented young people from families who would otherwise be unable to afford school fees, as well as selected capital projects that improve the school’s infrastructure and facilities.

The school has not had a dedicated fundraiser in post since before COVID. In recent years, fundraising has been absorbed within other teams, with activity focused more on maintaining relationships than generating significant new income. Legacy giving has remained strong and has helped sustain the Foundation, while events such as the annual Gala Ball have continued to attract support. However, there is substantial untapped potential across alumni, parents, donors and the wider school community.

At a time when independent schools are facing increased financial pressure, including the impact of VAT on tuition fees and rising delivery costs, the school has taken the strategic decision to invest in dedicated fundraising leadership.

The new Head of Development will work closely with the Executive Rector, Foundation Chair and Board of Trustees to develop and deliver a new fundraising strategy for the future.

The role will focus on:

• Growing philanthropic income across a range of streams
• Strengthening alumni and supporter engagement
• Increasing annual bursary funding from £150,000 to £500,000 over five years
• Delivering a first-year target of an additional £50,000

This is a standalone role, so the successful candidate will need to combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. It will suit someone who is comfortable building relationships, shaping a clear plan, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering fundraising activity directly.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising strategy and income generation

• Grow fundraised income from alumni, individuals, trusts and foundations, corporates and other friends of the school
• Develop a multi-income fundraising strategy in partnership with the Executive Rector, Foundation Committee and Trustees
• Create segmentation, cultivation, stewardship and solicitation plans for existing and prospective supporters
• Ensure fundraising priorities remain aligned to the school’s wider strategic goals

Donor and stakeholder engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, with a particular emphasis on the UK and Europe
• Engage alumni as ambassadors, volunteers and supporters of school priorities
• Work closely with groups connected to the school, including alumni committees and related networks
• Support senior staff, Board members and Foundation representatives in approaches to high-level donors
• Help identify, cultivate and steward major donor relationships

Events and development activity

• Lead collaboration with senior staff and volunteer leaders to plan and deliver cultivation and fundraising events
• Support events such as lunches, dinners, personal visits and other donor engagement opportunities in Dundee and elsewhere as required
• Develop and deliver an alumni volunteering and ambassador programme, including support for internships, guest speakers and mentors

Leadership and operational delivery

• Provide fundraising expertise and guidance to colleagues across the school where needed
• Manage the fundraising budget effectively and ensure activity is approved and delivered within budget
• Raise the profile and reputation of the Development function internally and externally
• Maintain awareness of fundraising best practice, regulatory requirements and sector developments
• Ensure all fundraising activity adheres to relevant professional codes and regulations
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as directed by the Executive Rector

Person Specification

Essential experience and knowledge

• Significant fundraising experience, including a track record of growing income
• Understanding of effective fundraising within the education sector or a comparable charitable setting
• Experience of working across complex organisations and managing multiple stakeholders
• Strong communication and engagement skills
• Financial management and budgeting experience
• Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience

Essential skills and competencies

• Ability to deliver against agreed income and engagement targets
• Strategic thinker with the ability to solve problems and turn plans into action
• Strong relationship-building, influencing and cross-organisational collaboration skills
• Confidence working with senior leaders, Trustees, volunteers and donors
• Ability to work calmly in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and manage ambiguity
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Strong alignment with the values of the school and its commitment to bursary support and widening opportunity

Desirable

• Experience in school, higher education or charity fundraising
• Personal experience of bursary support or a strong understanding of its impact

What the School is Looking For

The school is seeking someone who is both strategic and hands-on. This is a high-profile role at the centre of school life, so the successful candidate will need to bring warmth, credibility, excellent judgement and the ability to build trust quickly.

A genuine commitment to the mission of widening access to education is essential. The school is keen to appoint someone who understands that this work is rooted in opportunity, fairness and long-term impact.

High School of Dundee describes itself as anything but elitist. Many families make significant sacrifices to invest in their children’s education, and the successful candidate will need to feel comfortable and aligned within that environment.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: £55,000–£60,000, depending on experience
• Hours: 35 hours per week
• Working pattern: Flexible
• Contract: Full-time, permanent
• Reporting to: Executive Rector
• Direct reports: None
• Location: Euclid Campus, Dundee / hybrid, with an expectation of around 2 days per week on site
• Annual leave: 37 days including public holidays
• Pension: Defined contribution scheme with employer contribution options of 8% or 13.55%, depending on employee contribution level
• Benefits platform: Pluxee
• Fee remission: 40%
• Additional benefit: Access to the school gym at Mayfield outside school hours

Safeguarding and Eligibility

The successful candidate will be required to undertake a check through the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. Any offer of employment will be conditional on satisfactory PVG clearance.

Please note that this role is only open to candidates who already have the legal right to work in the UK on a permanent basis.

How to Apply

Applications should be made by CV and covering letter, with neither document exceeding two pages.

This recruitment campaign is being managed by Abeer Macintyre Consultancy.

Early applications are encouraged, as candidates of interest will be invited to a short pre-screen interview as part of the shortlisting process.

Key dates

• Closing date: Midday, Sunday 3 May 2026
• First stage interviews: Wednesday 20 May 2026, at High School of Dundee
• Second stage interviews: Thursday 21 May 2026, via Teams

For further information, please contact Abeer via the email address above.