Development Manager

Scottish Council of Independent Schools; Musselburgh; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Loretto School in Musselburgh near Edinburgh seeks a Development Manager to establish and lead the Development Office, building a sustainable culture of philanthropy across the School community.

You will design a comprehensive fundraising strategy, manage donor stewardship, legacy giving, events and corporate partnerships, and work with the Head and Governors to secure bursaries and capital projects.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Proven experience in fundraising, development, advancement, stakeholder engagement or business development.
• Experience of building and managing high-value relationships.
• Track record of delivering measurable income, partnership or engagement outcomes.
• Experience of managing databases and CRM systems.
• Experience of planning and delivering successful events.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Experience preparing reports and presenting to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a Development Strategy aligned with the School's strategic plan.
• Create and deliver annual and multi-year fundraising plans with agreed income targets.
• Develop compelling cases for support focused on bursaries, capital projects and educational enrichment.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of prospects across annual giving, major gifts and legacy supporters.
• Lead fundraising campaigns and appeals, ensuring clear objectives, timelines and success measures.
• Monitor and report progress against agreed KPIs, income targets and return-on-investment measures.
• Prepare regular reports for the DFO, Head, Development Committee and Board.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major donors and prospective supporters.
• Develop strong relationships with alumni, parents, former parents, former staff and friends of the School
• Coordinate donor meetings involving the Head, Governors and senior staff
• Deliver a structured donor stewardship programme ensuring supporters are appropriately thanked, recognised and informed.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling donor information and philanthropy discussions.
• Support the establishment and growth of an endowment and legacy giving programme.
• Establish and grow corporate partnership opportunities aligned with the School's values and strategic priorities.
• Secure sponsorship, in-kind support and partnership funding.
• Develop relationships with local businesses, alumni-owned organisations and strategic partners.
• Identify opportunities for corporate matched giving and employee engagement schemes.
• Ensure appropriate due diligence is undertaken on prospective partners.
• Develop an annual programme of development and engagement events including an annual giving day
• Deliver cultivation, stewardship, reunion, networking and fundraising events.
• Work closely with Marketing and Admissions colleagues to ensure events support wider School objectives.
• Evaluate events against defined objectives including donor cultivation, stewardship, engagement and income generation.
• Manage event budgets and ensure excellent stakeholder experiences.Governance, Compliance and Data Management
• Ensure all fundraising activity complies with relevant legislation, GDPR requirements and sector best practice.
• Maintain accurate records using the School's CRM and donor management systems.
• Key Performance IndicatorsThe Development Manager will be assessed against agreed annual targets

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Stakeholder engagement

Event planning

Strategic thinking

CRM systems

Education

Degree-level qualification

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Package Description:

About Loretto

Founded in 1827, located in a spacious campus just outside Edinburgh, we are one of the UK’s leading independent coeducational schools, for both boarding and day school pupils. Traditional and innovative educational methods, first-class facilities and the advantages offered by a small school all combine to provide a uniquely rounded learning experience for girls and boys.

Our emphasis on the whole person is really what sets us apart. From day one, Loretto’s Founder was dedicated to blending academic excellence with a wealth of experiences beyond the classroom.

By helping girls and boys to excel in mind, body and spirit, we aim to help them unlock and realise their full potential.

Today’s staff and pupils are living proof of the clear benefits offered by that ethos. Being a small school enables us to share our big heart and ambition, and offer big opportunities for our young people.

Also reflecting Loretto’s commitment to help bring out the best in all, are our high standards of teaching and a diverse yet rigorous curriculum.

The enormous range of co-curricular activities we offer away from the classroom ensures that each pupil can grow and develop wherever their interests and talents may lie.

The School’s achievements in music, art and drama and our strong reputation in sporting endeavours – rugby, hockey, cricket, lacrosse and golf to name just a few – are both testament to that.

Job Purpose

The Development Manager will establish and lead the School's Development Office, creating a sustainable culture of philanthropy, engagement and partnership across the Loretto community.

The post-holder will develop and deliver a comprehensive development strategy encompassing fundraising, donor stewardship, legacy giving, community engagement, events and corporate partnerships. They will build meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, former staff, friends of the School, trusts, foundations and corporate partners to secure philanthropic support for bursaries, capital projects and strategic priorities.

Working closely with the Head, Governors and senior leaders, the Development Manager will help strengthen the School's long-term financial resilience through the generation of non-fee income and enhanced stakeholder engagement and the promotion of a culture of giving.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Development and Fundraising

• Develop and implement a Development Strategy aligned with the School's strategic plan
• Create and deliver annual and multi-year fundraising plans with agreed income targets
• Develop compelling cases for support focused on bursaries, capital projects and educational enrichment
• Build and maintain a pipeline of prospects across annual giving, major gifts and legacy supporters
• Lead fundraising campaigns and appeals, ensuring clear objectives, timelines and success measures.
• Monitor and report progress against agreed KPIs, income targets and return-on-investment measures.
• Prepare regular reports for the DFO, Head, Development Committee and Board.

Major Gifts and Donor Relations

• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major donors and prospective supporters.
• Develop strong relationships with alumni, parents, former parents, former staff and friends of the School
• Coordinate donor meetings involving the Head, Governors and senior staff
• Deliver a structured donor stewardship programme ensuring supporters are appropriately thanked, recognised and informed.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling donor information and philanthropy discussions.
• Support the establishment and growth of an endowment and legacy giving programme.

Corporate Partnerships and External Relations

• Establish and grow corporate partnership opportunities aligned with the School's values and strategic priorities.
• Secure sponsorship, in-kind support and partnership funding.
• Develop relationships with local businesses, alumni-owned organisations and strategic partners.
• Identify opportunities for corporate matched giving and employee engagement schemes.
• Ensure appropriate due diligence is undertaken on prospective partners.

Events and Engagement

• Develop an annual programme of development and engagement events including an annual giving day
• Deliver cultivation, stewardship, reunion, networking and fundraising events.
• Work closely with Marketing and Admissions colleagues to ensure events support wider School objectives.
• Evaluate events against defined objectives including donor cultivation, stewardship, engagement and income generation.
• Manage event budgets and ensure excellent stakeholder experiences.Governance, Compliance and Data Management
• Ensure all fundraising activity complies with relevant legislation, GDPR requirements and sector best practice.
• Maintain accurate records using the School's CRM and donor management systems.Key Performance IndicatorsThe Development Manager will be assessed against agreed annual targets

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Proven experience in fundraising, development, advancement, stakeholder engagement or business development.
• Experience of building and managing high-value relationships.
• Track record of delivering measurable income, partnership or engagement outcomes.
• Experience of managing databases and CRM systems.
• Experience of planning and delivering successful events.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Experience preparing reports and presenting to senior stakeholders.

Essential Knowledge

• Understanding of fundraising principles and donor stewardship.
• Knowledge of GDPR and data protection requirements.
• Understanding of relationship management and stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of best practice in supporter communications and engagement

Essential Skills and Attributes

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
• Commercial awareness and strategic thinking.
• High levels of discretion and confidentiality.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Resilience, initiative and a results-focused approach.

Desirable

• Experience within the independent school, higher education, charity or not-for-profit sectors.
• Experience of major gifts fundraising.Experience of legacy fundraising.
• Experience of corporate partnership development.Membership of IDPE, Chartered Institute of Fundraising or a relevant professional body.