Deputy Director, Head of Development

Brighton College is seeking to appoint a Deputy Director, Head of Development on a full-time, permanent basis.

Reporting to: Director of Development and Engagement

Main purpose of the role: 

Brighton College seeks to appoint a Deputy Director, Head of Development, who will play a leading role in shaping and delivering the school’s philanthropic strategy, supporting the continued growth of a strong culture of giving across the school community.

This is a newly created and exciting role within the Development and Engagement Office at the United Kingdom’s leading co-educational independent school, established as the team expands to build on its recent successes and realise its considerable future fundraising potential. The postholder will lead major areas of fundraising activity, with responsibility for cultivating and securing significant philanthropic support from parents, alumni, former parents, trusts and foundations, and other friends of the school.

This is a senior leadership role within the sector-leading Development and Engagement team, requiring strategic vision, excellent interpersonal skills and strong operational management. The successful candidate will help drive ambitious fundraising campaigns in support of bursaries, capital development, and wider educational priorities.

Deputy Director, Head of Development General Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategy

• Working with the Director of Development and Engagement to develop and implement short, medium and long-term strategic targets for fundraising.
• Setting and managing key KPIs for fundraising, and producing periodic analysis and reports of activity.
• Helping shape compelling philanthropic cases for support aligned with the school’s strategic priorities.
• Contributing to the overall strategic direction of the Development and Engagement Office.

Major Gift Fundraising

• Managing a portfolio of major donors and prospects, involving the Director of Development and Engagement as appropriate.
• Soliciting major gifts (£50,000-£100,000) in support of the school’s key strategic fundraising priorities.
• Working with the Head of Parent and Alumni Engagement to develop relationships with engaged prospective supporters.

Campaigns

• Devising and overseeing key fundraising campaigns (e.g. regular giving, capital).
• Overseeing the school’s legacy fundraising strategy and overseeing the acquisition and stewardship of legacy pledgers (1845 Society).

Fundraising Operations

• Having overall responsibility for the efficient, compliant running of the school’s fundraising operations.
• Overseeing the day-to-day operational running of the school’s fundraising function and key fundraising projects.
• Devising a meaningful stewardship programme, ensuring that all donors are
• appropriately thanked and acknowledged, for their generous support

Management

• Line-management of the Development Manager.
• Along with the Head of Parent and Alumni Engagement, having day-to-day responsibility for the smooth operational running of the Development and Engagement Office.

Other duties

• Deputising for the Director of Development and Engagement.
• Representing the school at events, dinners, receptions and other external engagements.
• Responsibility for the management of the annual program budget for fundraising.
• Producing funding applications to trusts and foundations in support of the school’s strategic projects.
• Other tasks to be specified that are associated with the varied nature of this role.

Deputy Director, Head of Development Person Specification

• Significant senior major gift fundraising experience, ideally within the education sector.
• Proven success in securing major gifts and managing high-value donor relationships.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the confidence and ability to build strategic working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Confidence and willingness to speak publicly at events.
• High levels of discretion, professionalism and emotional intelligence.
• Experience of using CRM/database systems and fundraising reporting tools.
• Strong numeracy, analytical and interpretative skills using IT competently.
• Have excellent time management skills and a demonstrable ability to multitask.
• A flexible and supportive team player, who is willing to roll up their sleeves and do whatever is required.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends and undertake some travel.
• Be enthused by developing an understanding of independent schooling and its marketplace.

Hours of Work:

Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.00pm with a 60-minute unpaid lunch break (37.5 hours per week). There will be the requirement for occasional evening and weekend working, in which time in lieu will be offered.

Remuneration:

A salary in the range of £58,000 - £63,000 per annum will be offered depending on the candidate's skills and experience.

Deputy Director, Head of Development Benefits:

• Complimentary lunch is provided.
• Free tickets to the College’s music, dance and drama performances.
• Job specific Learning and Development programme available to all employees.
• Life Cover is provided whilst working at Brighton College after successfully passing probation period.
• Contributory pension scheme with matching contributions from the employer up to 9%, which all eligible employees will be automatically enrolled into within three months of commencement of employment.
• Employee benefit and discount platform.

Wellbeing:

• Subsidised gym membership for the School of Science and Sport is available, which includes access to yoga and Pilates classes, meditation sessions and use of the gym and swimming pool.
• Personalised health and wellbeing consultations.
• Generous sickness policy.
• Comprehensive wellbeing package.
• Access to books and magazines from the College Library.

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities:

Brighton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure, the receipt of satisfactory references, the College’s pre-employment medical questionnaire, relevant original ID documentation and examination certificates. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children. The College is committed to ensuring that the recruitment and selection of staff is conducted in a manner that is systematic, efficient and effective and promotes equality of opportunity. Our full equal opportunities policy is available on the ‘Careers’ page of our website.