Director of Development

St Leonards School; St Andrews; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent school in Scotland is seeking an exceptional professional for a fundraising role to generate over £500k in revenue. The job involves developing and implementing strategic fundraising initiatives, engaging a supportive alumni community, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Candidates should have a degree and a proven track record in securing significant gifts. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of the school as it approaches its 150th anniversary.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable track record of devising and implementing multi-year fundraising strategies.
• Experience securing 5 and 6 figure gifts from individuals, trusts, or foundations.
• Expertise to structure complex gifts and ensure compliance with regulations.

Responsibilities

• Drive fundraising initiative to generate over £500k of revenue.
• Conduct due diligence on donors and protect the School’s reputation.
• Develop and implement capital and strategic fundraising initiatives.

Skills

Exceptional relationship building skills

Technical fundraising expertise

Financial and legal expertise

Ability to engage prospective donors

Education

Educated to degree level

Job description

Located in the historic town of St Andrews, St Leonards is one of Scotland’s leading independent schools, recently named Scottish Independent Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2026 by The Sunday Times. It is a vibrant, co-educational boarding and day community with a true international outlook.

Approaching its 150th Anniversary in 2027, the School is preparing to launch the most ambitious fundraising campaign in its history. This is a career-defining opportunity for an exceptional professional to drive this initiative, instilling a culture of philanthropy that will secure the future of St Leonards for generations to come.

Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Head, this post will be targeted with generating £500k+ of revenue and will demand both exceptional relationship building skills and technical fundraising expertise. The successful candidate will have freedom to innovate and make a tangible difference and be able to engage prospective donors and the wider highly supportive Seniors (Alumni) community. You will protect the School’s reputation by conducting thorough due diligence on donors and ensuring full compliance with OSCR regulations.

You will be responsible for the School’s capital and strategic fundraising initiatives supported by the Alumni and Development Officer and will work with the supportive, mission-driven Executive Team and Board of Governors to develop and implement these.

Qualifications

To be successful you will be educated to degree level and have knowledge and experience in previous roles where you have developed a demonstrable track record of devising and implementing multi-year fundraising strategies which have allowed you to personally secure 5 and 6 figure gifts from individuals, trusts or foundations. You will possess the financial and legal expertise to structure complex gifts and bring them to completion.

More information on the responsibilities of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required of candidates can be found in the Candidate Pack.

St Leonards is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory PVG check.

Interviews are expected to commence in St Andrews week beginning 26th January 2026.