Head of Alumni and Engagement

The Head of Alumni Engagement and Development will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategy for fostering strong relationships with Ackworth School’s Old Scholar community, supporting the long-term interests of the school as we head towards our 250th anniversary in 2029. This role is responsible for fundraising, donor relations, and legacy initiatives, as well as coordinating and delivering events and communications aimed at engaging with Old Scholars and the broader Ackworth School and Quaker community. 

Reporting to the Director of Marketing, Admissions and Communications, the Head of Alumni Engagement and Development will collaborate closely with various school departments to elevate the school’s profile and optimise income generation. The focus will be on relationship management with key high-value donors and promoting a culture of philanthropy. Additionally, the role will drive support for Ackworth School capital projects and cultivate a culture of donor care that motivates current and potential supporters.

Ackworth School, a co-educational boarding and day school, was founded in 1779 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). It maintains its ethos and traditions and is still governed by the Society. The school is academically non-selective and provides an excellent range of facilities and extra-curricular opportunities, recently achieving "Excellent" in the FCI/EQI (February 2023). The Head is a member of both HMC and the Society of Heads.

Our pupils are one of Ackworth's USP's. Visitors to the school never fail to acknowledge how amazing they are and how positive the encounter is. All staff at Ackworth pay a key part in the operation of the School to make sure that it runs smoothly and so that we can focus on delivering an excellent education for our pupils. 

The successful candidate will be able to:

·       Collaborate with the Director of Marketing, Admissions and Communications to create a fundraising strategy centred on capital projects and bursaries.

·       Lead personal engagement fundraising, developing strategies for securing principal and major donors.

·       Meet annual personal income targets, increasing both donor numbers and regular giving income.

·       Monitor and report on fundraising income, events, and activities, including producing financial reports.

·       Design and manage a program of events aimed at engaging Ackworth School Old Scholars and wider Ackworth School community members.

·       Develop robust data sets to inform strategic goals, particularly those related to income generation and maintain detailed records of Old Scholars and donors, building comprehensive individual profiles in the contact database.

In return we offer:

·       a competitive salary of between £30,000 - £35,000 per annum based on experience and qualifications.

·       generous fee remission of 50% for the children of our staff.

·       all food and refreshments during the working day.

·       free on-site parking.

·       flexible pension, health benefits and an electric car purchase scheme

·       a supportive and friendly environment based on the Quaker ethos of the school.

·       a beautiful working location in an ideal location within easy travelling distance of the main centres of Sheffield, Leeds, Doncaster and York.

Interested candidates are welcome to contact the school to arrange a confidential discussion. Please contact our HR Administrator, Kim Reather.

Closing Date:  Friday 13th December 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Due to the School’s Christmas closure period, interviews will be held in early January 2025.

Completed school application forms should be submitted with a cover letter of no more than one page

Applicants should read carefully the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy. Our recruitment privacy notice is also available on our website under “Working For Us”. 

Ackworth School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all applicants will undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS and Barred list check with Disclosure and Barring Service. Applicants should also be in sympathy with the School’s Quaker ethos.