Development Director

CASE; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Dubai is seeking a Development Director to lead fundraising and alumni relations. The role involves strategic leadership, managing a comprehensive fundraising programme, and ensuring high standards in all Development activities. The ideal candidate will possess strong management skills and a strategic vision to support the College's long-term goals.

Qualifications

• Proactive leader with strong management skills.
• Commitment to excellence in all aspects of the department.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Development Office activities.
• Implement and expand fundraising strategies.
• Engage with the community to foster relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Vision

Management Skills

Job description

Position Start Date: 2 March 2026.

The Development Director leads and manages the Development Office, driving the College's fundraising and alumni relations programmes to support its long-term vision. The Director will implement and expand current strategies in collaboration with the Headmaster and Development Board and manage a comprehensive fundraising
programme.

The role includes maintaining high standards in all Development activities, representing the College professionally, and keeping up-to-date with education development trends
and innovations.The Development Director will handle reporting and communications, ensuring thatdonors and volunteers are kept regularly informed and are suitably recognised, and will
provide relevant updates to senior leaders and the Development Board.

Strategic leadership and quality control are central to this role. The Development Directorwill engage with the community to foster positive relationships and ensure mutual
benefits, while also focusing on his/her personal professional growth and work-life balance.The Development Director is required to be a proactive leader with strong managementskills, strategic vision, and a commitment to excellence in all aspects of the department.

To learn more about this position, the Development Office, and what it means to be living in Dubai and working at Dubai College, please click HERE

Those considering applying may have an informal conversation with the current post-holder, Julian Smyth, who can be contacted at [e-mail]

To learn more about this role and the application process, please click HERE

Leadership and Management

To lead and manage the day-to-day activities of the Development Office, ensuring that clear objectives are set and that individual team members receive the necessary support, training and guidance to ensure activities are efficient and effective

Strategy development and implementation

Work with the Development Board of the College and the Marketing & Communications Manager to develop and implement a sustainable development, fundraising and alumni relations strategy to support the College’s wider vision.
Ensure that the objectives and targets identified in the strategy are achieved on time and to budget

Fundraising activities

Lead and manage all staff involved in fundraising and alumni relations and to coordinate the activities of senior staff and volunteers as related to Development including the Development Board members
Implement a comprehensive fundraising programme and implement strong supporting activities, systems and policies for potential donor identification, research, involvement and management, donor stewardship and recognition, gift management, accounting and ethics
Take personal responsibility for a portfolio of major gift prospects and work with others (senior management and volunteers) to ensure the systematic, appropriate and planned solicitation and cultivation of prospects is undertaken
Ensure that all activities undertaken by the College and for the College’s programme of alumni relations are performed to the highest standards and in accordance with best practice as established by professional bodies such as the Institute of Fundraising, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Institute of Development Professionals in Education
Represent the College professionally as appropriate and required.

Reporting and Communications

Ensure that donors and volunteers are appropriately thanked, regularly updated on progress towards the College’s goals and are appropriately recognised for their contribution
Provide timely and relevant management information on progress against targets and all matters of policy related to fundraising to the Headmaster and Development Board
Foster good relations with members of the academic and support staff in order to ensure effective coordination and integration with every other aspect of College life
Attend board meetings as required, Development Board meetings, all Dubai College Foundation trustee meetings, alumni relations meetings and other fundraising-related committees and working groups as necessary, ensure accurate minuting of meetings and preparation and presentation of supporting papers as necessary
Ensure all work and activities meet with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 when operating from the UK address of the Dubai College Foundation

Additional

Secure sponsorship from potential commercial supporters
Respond to all enquiries about fundraising from alumni, parents, donors, prospects, well-wishers and other members of our community in a timely, welcoming, friendly and helpful manner at all times
Manage the departmental budget and work with the Bursar to provide appropriate input to the annual budgeting cycle and to longer-term financial forecasts
Remain up-to-date with developments in fundraising, refreshing skills as necessary, and keeping abreast of relevant news, charity law and other relevant legislation
Carry out any other duties as may reasonably be requested by the Headmaster

Providing Strategic Leadership: Helping to Shape the Future by:

Working with the Senior Leadership Team (and the College community) to further develop, articulate and promote an educational vision for Dubai College which is appropriate to its tradition, culture and sustained record of excellence
Creating, with the Senior Leadership Team, agreed objectives, priorities and plans of action which form the core of the College Development Plan
Implementing, driving, reviewing and modifying the vision, objectives and relevant policies
Motivating, encouraging and supporting all members of staff and the student body to have a shared culture of aspiration consistent with the College’s commitment to excellence, improvement and enjoyment
Preparing for, and attending as necessary, Senior Leadership Team meetings (which may occur after school and before the start of terms)
Ensuring Quality Control: Guaranteeing Existing Standards and Driving Further Improvement in Quality by:

Playing a key part in the College’s Professional Review Process i.e. recognising strengths, providing accurate feedback and identifying areas for development to the relevant parties
Playing a key role in the Department Review Process (as above)
Providing up to date and relevant professional guidance
Providing support to any member of staff who may require it
Further developing - along with the SLT and college community - effective policies, codes of practice, systems and structures and ensuring that safety and security are the cornerstone of all actions
Keeping a keen eye on detail especially when overseeing a relevant ‘key school event’
Playing a lead role in the co-ordination of the daily running of the school
Using the latest technologies to engage in analysis and evaluation of both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ evidence to ensure continuous improvement

Working with the Community: Securing Mutually Beneficial Links by:

Establishing a positive relationship based on honesty and trust with the parental body and other core community groups such as the Friends of Dubai College (FDC), Alumni, relevant business groups and key players in Dubai and internationally
Attending school events as appropriate in the evening and over weekends

Ensuring Self Improvement by:

Regularly reflecting on your own performance and progress, accepting guidance and taking responsibility for your professional growth.
Attending regular professional courses
Keeping abreast of general educational research and developments and becoming a specialist and lead player with regard to your specific areas of responsibility
Ensuring a healthy work/life balance is maintained

Additional Leadership Responsibilities

Lead and mentor those within the department, providing guidance, support, and training to ensure high performance and professional growth.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement.
Supervise and support members of the department, ensuring they follow school policies and procedures.
Monitor the performance and development of those whom you line manage within the department.