Development Manager

An exciting opportunity exists to support a growing fundraising programme at one of London s strongest independent schools. Reporting to the Director of Development & Alumni Relations, this Development Manager will expand upon our efforts in regular giving, legacy giving and stewardship. This includes managing our fundraising appeals, piloting new fundraising efforts, and producing events and communications for current and future donors. All of this will advance our priority of growing the Colfe s Charitable Trust s endowment to support even more 100% bursaries for our Sixth Form pupils.

The last few years have been our office s most exciting: donations have helped grow the endowment to £2.7M, and many of our bequest intenders have revealed the total value of their legacies will be nearly £2M. Further, our Governors have just appointed Dan Gabriele, Deputy Principal of Caterham School, as the new Head of Colfe s. He will take up this post in September, and our office will be key in advancing his vision. An essential part of this small but busy team, this is the perfect job for someone already in fundraising and looking to advance their career. The successful candidate will be highly organized and adaptable, have a strong attention to detail and be willing to pitch in as needed. A background in Development and experience with Raiser s Edge will be necessary. Given our office s success, opportunities may arise to work alongside new hires to help ease workload.

The School

Colfe s is one of London s oldest schools, taking its name from Reverend Abraham Colfe, Vicar of Lewisham, who founded the school in 1652. In his will, he entrusted the School to the Leathersellers Livery Company, which governs the school today. A former grammar school, Colfe s has been a fully co-educational day school for 20 years with nearly 1300 pupils in all from ages 3 to 18. Colfe s is not a stuffy school, but a happy place with a deep feeling of community among its students, parents, staff and alumni. This provides a terrific platform for this position to thrive upon.

Fundraising Priority

Every year, up to 12 pupils from non-privileged backgrounds at local state schools are awarded 100% bursaries to join our Sixth Form. Named our Leatherseller Scholars, these pupils are academically bright but often qualify for free school meals, and many have no access to a sixth form in their current schools. The Leathersellers Company launched this programme in 2009, and today, their grants are combined with donations to the Colfe s Charitable Trust. However, awarding even more bursaries is urgent and essential. Applications for these awards are extremely high, and this demand now outpaces what we can provide in support. We must expand our fundraising efforts so that Colfe s can support even more deserving pupils.

Skills and Attributes:

• 3-5 years working in Development. Experience working in a charity or educational setting necessary.
• Proficient in using Raiser s Edge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Organised, entrepreneurial and creative with natural problem solving skills.
• Ability to multi-task, self-prioritise, and manage multiple projects at once.
• Team player with flexibility to adapt to the changing dynamics of the division.
• Highly collaborative and emotionally intelligent with the ability to develop new relationships with ease. Relates well to a diverse audience of stakeholders, including current and former parents, alumni, pupils, staff, Governors and friends.