Head of Philanthropy and Alumni

Summary

The main purpose of the role is to direct and lead a development programme which achieves philanthropic income to St Peter’s School York and to ensure effective engagement with, and from, alumni, parents and other supporters.

Detail

Job description

St Peter’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment by complying with the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures at all times. The successful applicant will be required to undergo statutory pre-employment checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Department: Philanthropy and Alumni

Reports to: Head Master

Line manages: Philanthropy and Alumni Officer

Hours of work: 37.5 hours/week (52 weeks). Normal hours are 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday, but some weekend and evening work will be requir

Overall purpose of the post

The main purpose of the role is to direct and lead a development programme which achieves philanthropic income to St Peter’s School York and to ensure effective engagement with, and from, alumni, parents and other supporters. The development programme aims to ensure a strong public profile, maintain good public relations, and ensure philanthropic giving to the school.

Responsible for leading and managing the Development and Alumni team, including volunteers. The Head of Development and Alumni will build on existing initiatives with the aim of connecting and engaging with our prospective donors and supporters.

Key responsibilities:

To ensure the successful delivery of the School’s development and fundraising strategy across major gifts (£25,000+) approaches, legacy giving and annual and regular giving is established and fully aligned with the school’s strategic ambitions and ethos, including:

Managing the Keys for Life Campaign, working in close collaboration with senior staff

Fundraising for campus development both major and lower cost

Producing regular reports for senior leaders and governors on funds raised, events planned and delivered and associated communications

To build cases for support and manage campaigns from initial concept planning to completion, including capital fundraising

To identify potential donors and undertake engagement in preparation for fundraising, including meeting and engaging with prospective donors, and working closely to support the Head Master with approaches to donors (including briefings, proposals, and meetings support and follow up)

Managing and promoting the regular giving campaign in support of the School’s fee assistance programme

Establishing and maintaining appropriate donor recognition programmes for all fundraising activities

To ensure that donors are thanked and recognised, and to manage their inclusion in any project and beyond including:

Ensuring donors are stewarded for their support and reported to on the impact of their philanthropy

Developing a successful legacy programme

Developing and executing a programme of appropriate events and communications to increase engagement amongst all current and potential supporters

Liaising with and advising any groups organising development or alumni activities

Promoting and developing alumni networking groups.

Allocating and managing budgets for development, alumni and archive activities

To remain well informed on developments in fundraising practice and ensure best practice is followed by staff and volunteers

To understand and promote all types of tax-efficient donation in the UK and overseas and manage the process of tax reclamation efficiently

To line manage the Development and Alumni Manager and Development and Alumni Officer on all aspects of their job descriptions

To liaise with the OP President and the OP Club on behalf of the School

To support other School events as required.

General

Health & Safety - You have a legal duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others and you are expected to be familiar with, and adhere to, St Peter’s School’s Health and Safety policy.

School values – You have a duty to ensure your work, communication and approach conforms to the school’s core values and mission. You will need to be aware and comply with school rules, policies and procedures at all times including, but not limited to, those relating to safeguarding, conduct, equality and data protection.

Note: This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities associated with the post. The post holder will be expected to comply with any reasonable request to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

Documents

• Head of Philanthropy and Alumni - Recruitment Pack- Sept 26.pdf PDF Document
• Privacy Notice for Job Applicants - May 2026 PDF Document