Director of Development

South Hampstead High School, GDST; Greater London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Professional development opportunities

Generous pension schemes

Life assurance benefit

Interest free loans for training

Cycle to Work scheme

Fees discount for GDST schools

Job summary

South Hampstead High School, part of the GDST, is seeking a Director of Development to shape and deliver a bold, multi-year fundraising and engagement strategy. You will lead major gift campaigns, annual giving, trusts and foundations, legacy giving, and alumnae engagement to widen access and support transformational education.

Based in London, you will work with the Head and GDST colleagues to build a sustainable culture of philanthropy, secure significant gifts, manage donor pipelines, and

Qualifications

• Significant experience in philanthropy, fundraising or advancement.
• Proven track record of securing major gifts and managing donor pipelines.
• Experience delivering campaigns and working with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead major gift fundraising, campaigns, annual giving, trusts and foundations, legacy giving, donor stewardship and alumnae engagement.
• Develop and deliver a bold, multi-year fundraising and engagement strategy to widen access and support transformational education.
• Collaborate with the Head, senior leaders and GDST colleagues to drive philanthropy across the community.

Skills

Strategic fundraising

Donor relations

Campaign management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

EmployerSouth Hampstead High School - GDSTLocationLondon, Greater LondonContract TypePermanentHoursFull TimeSalaryCompetitivePosted15th October 2026Start Date1st March 2027Expires11th November 2026 09:00 AMContract TypePermanentStart Date1st March 2027Job ID1579933Job ReferenceDODStart Date1st March 2027Contract Type :PermanentJob ID: 1579933Director of DevelopmentHours: Full timeContract: PermanentSalary: Competitive plus benefitsRequired from: March 2027The roleAt South Hampstead High School, philanthropy is about more than fundraising. It is about widening access to a transformational education, strengthening lifelong connections with our community and creating opportunities for young women to flourish. Building on the momentum and success of the school’s recent 150th Anniversary campaign, the Director of Development will shape and deliver the next phase of the School’s philanthropic ambition.As Director of Development, you will develop and deliver a bold, multi-year fundraising and engagement strategy that supports the school’s long-term vision, expands access through bursaries and further embeds a culture of giving across the South Hampstead community. Working closely with the Head, senior leaders and GDST colleagues, you will lead major gift fundraising, campaigns, annual giving, trusts and foundations, legacy giving, donor stewardship and alumnae engagement. This is a role with both strategic influence and visible human impact: strengthening lifelong connections with alumnae, parents, staff and friends while generating philanthropic investment that directly supports opportunity, belonging and transformational education.About youWe are looking for a strategic, relationship-led development professional with significant experience in philanthropy, fundraising or advancement. You will bring a proven track record of securing major gifts, managing donor pipelines and delivering successful campaigns, alongside the credibility to work with senior stakeholders and inspire support from a wide community. Entrepreneurial, thoughtful and highly communicative, you will believe in the power of education to transform lives and be excited by the chance to build a sustainable culture of philanthropy aligned with South Hampstead’s values and the wider GDST mission.About the SchoolWorking at South Hampstead is stimulating, challenging and rewarding. Located in leafy Hampstead, with the buzz of central London’s cultural life close at hand, the school is very well served by public transport and there are excellent local amenities nearby.The school is part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools. We offer a variety of benefits, such as:Competitive salaries and pay progressionAccess to extensive professional development opportunitiesTraining grants for qualificationsGenerous pension schemesFree life assurance benefitInterest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loansA Cycle to Work schemeCompetitive terms and conditions of employmentA discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schoolsThe processSouth Hampstead is partnering with Alice Speers, Search Consultant at Ashmore Search on this appointment. If you would like an informal conversation about the role prior to application, we encourage you to contact Alice on [phone] or alice@ ashmoresearch.com.How to make an applicationTo find out more and to apply, please click the apply button.Please be aware that Ashmore Search will also use information contained or referred to in the application form for the purpose of processing your job application and as further set out in the Ashmore Search Ltd Privacy Notice.Key dates:Application Deadline: 9am Wednesday 11th November 2026First round interviews at South Hampstead: Tuesday 24th November 2026Final round interviews at South Hampstead: Tuesday 1st December 2026We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the position or if an offer is made and accepted.The school may also conduct online searches (including publicly available social media searches) as part of our recruitment processes.The GDST is committed to diversity, inclusion and real change: a family where every individual is valued, respected and included.We are committed to the safeguarding of children and child protection screening will apply to this post.Safeguarding Statement:The Girls’ Day School Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection checks appropriate to the post, including online searches and checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.