Director of Development

CRANLEIGH SCHOOL; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious independent school in the UK seeks a Director of Development to lead its Development Office. The successful candidate will drive fundraising efforts, create a comprehensive strategy, and work with key stakeholders to enhance philanthropy. The role requires a proactive professional with a proven track record in major gifts solicitation and experience in building effective programs. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape a new office in a dynamic educational environment.

Qualifications

• Track record of successful fundraising in complex organizations.
• Ability to build effective professional relationships.
• Experience in major gifts solicitation.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement an ambitious Development Strategy.
• Work across the school to enhance philanthropy and engagement.
• Build effective programs and teams for fundraising.

Skills

Fundraising

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Program building

Job description

Founded in 1865, Cranleigh is a highly successful independent co-educational day and boarding school educating 1000 pupils aged 5-18 years. Set in the beautiful surroundings of the Surrey Hills, within easy reach of London, the school benefits from an extensive and very well-equipped campus with a blend of historic buildings and new, purpose-built facilities. Cranleigh celebrates academic ambition, hard work and enterprise and teaches pupils to think for themselves through independent learning and critical thinking.

This is a particularly exciting time to be joining Cranleigh as it celebrates its 160th anniversary and with the recent opening of a new Sixth Form Centre. In an uncertain sector, the school is energised, buoyant and growing; both in the UK (with the introduction of pre-prep and nursery), and internationally with plans to add to the existing portfolio of four schools.

Cranleigh is seeking to appoint an exceptional Director of Development to establish and lead the Development Office. As the Head, Sam Price, enters her second year in post, she is keen to develop a partnership with the Director of Development, who will bring with them a successful track record of fundraising, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.

Reporting to the Head, the Director of Development will create and implement an ambitious Development Strategy for philanthropy and engagement, with a focus on immediate capital priorities. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and experienced fundraiser to shape a new office in a dynamic and growing school. Building effective professional relationships with key internal stakeholders is a critical aspect of this role and the Director of Development will work across the school, preparatory school and international schools to raise the profile and understanding of philanthropy and engagement.

This role will be suited to a proactive and energetic fundraising professional with a track record in major gifts solicitation, working in complex organisations and building effective programmes and teams. The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge of broad fundraising programmes gained from within or outside the education sector and be able to demonstrate sensitivity to the history and culture of the Cranleigh community around the world.

Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics to arrange an informal and confidential discussion about the post:

Susannah Thompson, Search Consultant:

For further information about the role and details of how to apply please visit

Closing date: 10.00am (UK time) on Monday 8th December 2025

• Cranleigh School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.
• This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
• The safeguarding responsibilities of this post are detailed in the candidate information brochure.
• RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.