Role: Head of Philanthropy
Organisation: Schools of King Edward’s
Salary: £40,527 – £42,961
Location: Hybrid (3 days/week from school)
Hours: Full time (would consider term-time plus)
This is an exciting time to be part of the Development and Alumni Relations Team at the Independent Schools of King Edward’s. With a significant anniversary year in 2027 on the horizon, there’s never been a better moment to get involved. We are looking for a skilled fundraiser who can help drive our mission forward.
Head of Philanthropy
King Edward’s School (KES) and King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS), two of the leading independent day schools in the country, seek an experienced fundraiser with a demonstrable track record of securing five- and six- figure gifts. This role would suit a candidate with a background in major gifts and individual giving.
The Head of Philanthropy will secure and cultivate major donor relationships, growing our existing giving programmes and helping to deliver our overall fundraising strategy. With the Development Director, they will continue to build our prospect pipeline to support Assisted Places fundraising. Additionally, there may be involvement with a small number of other discrete fundraising projects.
Community is a vital part of our schools’ ethos and the Head of Philanthropy will play their part in strengthening this ethos. Many of our major donors will support the schools in other ways, including through our vibrant careers network (CareersLink). The Head of Philanthropy will also embed themselves in school life by playing a leading role in our annual telethons, working with the Development Director and Database Manager to deliver this.
The Head of Philanthropy will be an experienced and highly motivated fundraiser with a passion for growing and cultivating our supporter base. They will be a firm believer in the aims of our Assisted Places programme and in the value of an independent education. The role would suit an articulate, tenacious and persuasive fundraiser, with a strong track-record of forging and cultivating long-term relationships.
Key responsibilities to include:
* Cultivate relationships with a portfolio of mid-level and major donor prospects, particularly through face-to-face solicitations.
* Move prospects through the gift cycle in a timely manner, using the regular giving programme to develop your pool.
* Produce solicitation materials and funding applications as appropriate.
* Secure mid- and high- level financial support, as well as advocacy and gifts-in-kind.
* Implement engagement tools for each prospect in the portfolio and actively seek out opportunities for them to engage with the schools.
* Maintain donor and prospect records on our database (Raiser’s Edge).
* Produce compelling Cases for Support to meet individual donor interests and motivations.
* Offer excellent stewardship of donors and encourage a lifetime of giving offering regular updates and keeping in close touch.
* Gather and record information and feedback to track progress and monitor progress against KPIs such as conversion rates, with a view to continually improving.
* Work with the Development Director to plan and deliver an excellent programme for all prospect and donor solicitation, cultivation and stewardship, across all levels of giving.
* Work with the Development Director to plan and deliver processes for prospective donor identification and prospecting.
* With support from the DARO team, identify new opportunities and undertake research as necessary.
* Line management of Alumni Relations Officer and Events Officer.
Person specification to include:
* Building and managing fundraising relationships with mid- and high- level prospective donors.
* Demonstrable track record of securing four-, five- and six- figure gifts.
* Experience of seeking and identifying new prospective donors.
* Experience of managing a prospect portfolio over long periods.
* Experience of planning and executing a major gifts programme.
* Knowledge of relevant charity rules, guidance and ethical codes.
* Experience of supporting a major gifts programme with effective and successful communications and events.
* The ability to develop and manage relationships with a wide range of people.
* Vision, energy and the ability to motivate and persuade others.
* Very high standards of oral and written communication.
* Tact, diplomacy and discretion.
* Ability to negotiate, mitigate concerns and correct misapprehensions.
* Ability to check communications carefully.
* Keen attention to detail, accurate record-keeping and meeting deadlines.
Benefits: 22 days holiday a year, 8 bank holidays and 4 concessionary days.
School fee discount, defined contribution pension, lunch in term time, complimentary access to gym facilities and parking.
Deadline for applications 19th March
To receive a copy of the full job pack please apply via this site.