Role Introduction

Bring your success in major gifts fundraising to Eton College and help shape the future of one of Britain’s most famous institutions.

Eton College is a charity for the advancement of education. At its heart sits an independent boys’ boarding school which leads a dynamic range of educational activities and an expanding network of educational partnerships. The Eton College of the 21^st century is focused on the future while valuing its heritage; it will mark its 600^th anniversary in 2040. The school is a progressive and increasingly diverse community with inclusivity, individual student development and innovation in teaching and learning as its guiding principles.

The College is now seeking to appoint an experienced, innovative and successful major gifts fundraiser to join the ambitious Development team as Associate Director (Major Gifts). Reporting to the Director of Development, the postholder will build and develop a strong portfolio of potential donors and manage donor relationships from identification and research through to stewardship and gift management.

Development at Eton is now at a critical moment having recently launched ‘Esto Perpetua’, its long-term fundraising campaign to augment the endowment to support the College’s work with Star Academies, its bursary programme and other important projects within Eton itself. The College has a large and highly engaged community, and much work has been done to lay the foundations for success in major gifts fundraising.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of developing stakeholder and donor relationships with a particular focus on major gifts and will be excited to join a high-achieving and reflective academic culture. They will have exacting standards and a high attention to detail and will be a self-starter with initiative, confidence, drive and flexibility. 

Eton offers an outstanding working environment, a sector leading benefits package and the opportunity to further develop your professional skills and expertise. Flexible working arrangements will be considered. Experience of working in a UK school environment is not essential, but candidates will be supportive of independent education in general and the Eton ethos in particular.

Further information about the role and details of how to apply can be found at www.rsacademics.com

Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics to arrange a confidential discussion about the post:

Susannah Thompson, Search Consultant: susannahthompson@rsacademics.com    

The closing date for applications is 10.00am on Monday 15^th July 2024

Main Duties

• Work with the Executive Director of Communications, Engagement and Development and Director of Development to create and implement a highly ambitious and sustainable leadership gifts strategy in support of the College’s short-, medium-, and long-term vision;
• Build a pipeline of engaged potential future major donors, utilising a variety of methods including face-to-face and virtual meetings;
• Take responsibility for a portfolio of around 130–150 leadership gift prospects (£100,000+);
• Develop effective data-driven strategies to engage and solicit gifts and so expand and retain donor support;
• Work collaboratively with team members to ensure rigorous gift management administrations systems and accurate maintenance of prospect data;
• Manage follow-up action when pledges and gifts are received, including ensuring that supporters are appropriately thanked for their support;
• Support the fundraising strategy through the implementation of strong support systems and day-to-day practices for potential donor identification, research, stewardship and cultivation, gift management and accounting, whilst maintaining the highest levels of fundraising practice;
• Conduct data analysis to understand donor behaviour and prevailing themes and trends;
• Develop relationships with corporations in a local region, in support of the Star Academies programme;
• Ensure all fundraising activities undertaken in support of the College are performed to the highest standards and in accordance with best practice as established by professional bodies, such as the Institute of Fundraising;
• Support the fundraising activities of senior leaders, staff and volunteers including the Provost and Fellows;
• Work with external stakeholders, volunteers, and other supporters to maximise their relationships and networks;
• Produce timely, relevant, and accurate reports on progress and projections;
• Maintain knowledge of best practice in fundraising and related matters, refreshing skills as necessary;
• Carry out other duties as may reasonably be requested by the Director of Development;
• Support the delivery of the College’s charitable vision by attending events and presentations and acting as a strong ambassador for Eton;
• Commitment to and promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion;
• All positions at Eton are classed as ‘regulated activity’ as per the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 guidance, therefore a good understanding of safeguarding procedures is essential;
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including but not limited to, completing safeguarding training as required, and ensuring any safeguarding updates issued by the College are read and understood;
• Understand and comply with procedures and legislation relating to confidentiality.

The Ideal Candidate

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

The following are viewed as essential qualities for the post:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent;
• 5 or more years relevant fundraising experience in a Charity or Educational setting or the Arts;
• Proven track record of developing stakeholder and donor relationships and raising 5 and 6 figure gifts from individual donors;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• High levels of commercial awareness, tact, and discretion;
• Experience with CRM systems;
• Passion for the transformational impact of education and empathy with the School’s Aims and Vision;
• An appreciation of tradition and history as well as innovation. The following are viewed as desirable qualities for the post:
• Experience gained within a high-performing fundraising environment;
• Experience of using research techniques to identify good prospects;
• Knowledge of tax-efficient giving in the UK and internationally.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

To be successful in the role, the incumbent should also be:

• An individual with exacting standards and high attention to detail;
• A strong team player;
• A self-starter with initiative, confidence, drive and flexibility;
• An individual with personal dynamism and ability to win support for a cause or idea by working with donors, parents and alumni in a variety of settings and levels.

Benefits

Eton College offers a wide range of benefits, including an 11% employer contribution to your pension (with 4.9% employee contribution), Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced Maternity / Paternity scheme, a cycle to work scheme, subsidised lunches during term time, free or heavily discounted access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities and discounts at local retailers and businesses.

About the College

We are an equal opportunities employer and are seeking applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment that values individuality and difference and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils by fostering perseverance, tolerance and integrity. We believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

If you have any queries about the application process or any problem with submitting your application online, the Recruitment Team will be happy to help. Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made or facilities provided to enable you to apply online, please do not hesitate to contact us on recruitment@etoncollege.org.uk so we can make adjustments accordingly. 

DISCLOSURE CHECKS

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to, reference checks with past employers, an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (including Barred List information), an online search and, where applicable, Prohibition checks. If you are successful in your application, you will be required to complete a DBS Disclosure Application Form.  Any information disclosed will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or Code of Practice published by the DBS. The College is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings (including those which would normally be considered as “spent” under the Act) must be declared, subject to the DBS filtering rules. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position at the College.

Eton College