Deputy Director of Development

Oundle School; Oundle; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution is seeking a Deputy Director of Development to advance philanthropic goals. This role involves shaping strategies, managing relationships with major donors, and supporting a driven team. Ideal candidates will have fundraising experience and possess strong relationship management skills. Open to hybrid working arrangements, the position demands creativity and motivation. The school values its commitment to safeguarding and equal opportunities. Full details, including salary, are available in the Job Description.

Qualifications

• Experience in fundraising or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability as a relationship manager.
• Motivated, creative, and intellectually curious.

Responsibilities

• Devise and shape strategy for development and fundraising.
• Drive stewardship and legacy programmes.
• Build and manage relationships with major donors.
• Collaborate on strategic priorities.

Skills

Relationship management

Fundraising experience

Creativity

Intellectual curiosity

Job description

Overview

The Development Office at Oundle School is seeking a Deputy Director of Development who will help advance philanthropic goals and support the management of a driven and friendly team.

The Deputy Director of Development will help shape strategy, drive the stewardship and legacies programme, build relationships with major donors, and work closely with the Director of Development on advancing this vital area of the school’s work.

This role is suitable for a dynamic relationship manager who is motivated, creative, and intellectually curious, with experience in fundraising or a related field. The successful candidate will enjoy working across a vibrant constituency within a beautiful architectural setting to deepen philanthropic relationships between the school and its alumni and parent body.

This role is 40 hours per week, year round. We are open to discussing hybrid working arrangements to attract a candidate who can help us achieve our ambitions.

Responsibilities

• Devise and shape strategy for development and fundraising efforts.
• Drive forward stewardship and legacy programmes.
• Build and manage relationships with major donors.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development on strategic priorities and initiatives.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Experience in fundraising or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability as a relationship manager with motivation, creativity, and intellectual curiosity.
• Willingness to work across a vibrant constituency within the School community.
• 40 hours per week, year round; discussion welcome on hybrid working arrangements.

The School

Oundle and Laxton Junior Schools have long been associated with high standards of modern independent education, including boarding. The Schools take seriously their responsibility to pupils so they can emerge as decent, open-minded adults; ambitious about what they can achieve and contribute. Over 1400 pupils are on roll at the School, of whom 840 are full boarders. Academic results are consistently excellent.

A team of around 800 staff, both academic and support, ensures a high standard of education across the Schools, with the efforts of the whole team focused on this aim.

Living in Oundle

We are located in a beautiful market town at the heart of the community, with a vibrant local culture and annual events, including festivals and performances at the School’s Stahl Theatre.

To apply

Full details of the role, including hours of work and salary, can be found in the Job Description link below. If you are excited by this opportunity, please complete and return an application form and supplement by the closing date.

Please note CV submissions cannot be accepted.

Application closing date: Wednesday 21 January 2026, 9am.

Interviews will take place week commencing 2 February 2026 and 9 February 2026.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Rebecca Baxter at [e-mail].

For other queries, please contact the Oundle School HR Department at [e-mail] or Tel: [phone].

Equal Opportunity / Safeguarding

Oundle School and Laxton Junior School are equal opportunity employers. We welcome applications from all and aim to provide equal opportunities during the recruitment process. We will comply with the duties placed on us to make reasonable adjustments as prescribed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require a particular adjustment to participate fully in the recruitment process, please inform the HR Department.

Both Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Recruitment Agencies: The Corporation of Oundle School has an internal recruitment department. If agency support is required, we will engage our trusted partners. Our adverts are intended to encourage direct interest from potential applicants, not recruitment agencies. Speculative CVs from sources other than direct candidates will not be acknowledged or considered.