Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations

The Independent Schools Council; Chigwell; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Job summary

Bancroft’s School seeks an experienced development professional to oversee the Development Office, leading philanthropy and fundraising for the Bancroft’s Foundation and developing a long-term strategy for both Foundation and School.

The Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations will build on the founder’s legacy to inspire giving, broaden opportunity, and support the School's long-term ambitions, reporting to the Head.

Qualifications

• Experience leading development, fundraising and alumni relations.
• Ability to develop long-term fundraising strategy.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Development Office and lead philanthropy and fundraising strategy for Bancroft’s School and Bancroft’s Foundation.
• Develop a long-term strategy for the Foundation and the School.
• Build on the events programme and improve donor stewardship.
• Engage current and potential donors, initiating and leading campaigns for regular and legacy giving.
• Engage a broader range of potential donors within the wider community and strengthen relationships with alumni and current/former parents.
• Line manage the Data and Development Officer and the Fundraising and Alumni Assistant.

Job description

Required from January 2027, or earlier

Bancroft’s School seeks an experienced and dynamic development professional to oversee our Development Office and to take the lead in cultivating philanthropy and fundraising for the Bancroft’s Foundation, and in developing a long-term strategy for the Foundation and the School.

The Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations will have the opportunity to build on the extraordinary legacy of the School’s founder, Francis Bancroft, in inspiring a culture of giving that broadens opportunity, strengthens community and supports the School's long-term ambitions.

Reporting to the Head, the remit of the role will be to build on the success of our recent work in developing a regular events programme and improving stewardship of donors. The postholder will continue to connect with current and potential donors in order to build and develop these relationships and to initiate and lead a campaign for both regular and legacy giving. Key additional elements of the role will be to consider ways of engaging with a broader range of potential donors within our wider community and to contribute to strengthening the relationship between the School, its alumni and its current and former parents.

The Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations will work closely with the Old Bancroftians’ Association (OBA), our alumni association; the Head and our Director of Marketing, Admissions and Communications, as well as with members of the Senior Leadership Team. This role will line manage the Data and Development Officer and the Fundraising and Alumni Assistant.

The role offers a unique chance to lead a team that is not only building connections but also shaping futures through philanthropy.

We offer a generous benefits package, including a competitive salary, and have a commitment to supporting ongoing professional development for all of our staff.

Bancroft’s School creates a happy learning environment, where bright children are challenged and supported to become the best versions of themselves. Bancroft’s is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Applicants are required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the role, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Bancroft’s may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and all applicants will be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media accounts, as part of their applications.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Bancroft’s is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.