Role Introduction

At the heart of Eton, is Eton College, a charity for the advancement of education.  The college is steeped in history and we are continually embracing innovation and looking to the future. We are seeking a Stewardship and Development Officer to join our thriving and well-resourced Development Team at Eton College. 

The new post holder will be responsible for the development, implementation and management of Eton’s stewardship programme. As an integral part of the College's Development Team, this position requires a high level of organisation, professionalism, and discretion. This rewarding, varied role will include a mix of tasks including robust administration and planning, emotive and engaging writing, and excellent event planning and management to cement lasting relationships between the College and its benefactors and promote positive attitudes toward giving among all donor groups.

We are interested in hearing from applicants with events management experience, who have worked in a similar role or similar environment and who have a proven ability to successfully manage key projects with competing priorities, as these will be key to the role.

If this sounds like the perfect next step in your career, come and join our fast-paced, ambitious school and be part of Eton College’s future.  

Due to the needs of the school and the department, we may interview suitable candidates before the closing date. This job may also close early if a large number of applications are received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid missing your chance to apply.

Main Duties

• Work with the Director of Communications, Engagement and Development and Head 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;
• Lead all major gift donor reporting efforts including, but not limited to: 
  • Oversee and manage the stewardship of named funds;
  • Oversee and manage donor reports, where requested, for endowed and specified current funds including bursaries, prizes, research funds, etc. 
• Work closely with the Development team’s database manager to put data strategies and systems in place to ensure timely stewardship of all donors pertinent to their level of giving;
• Manage relationships with various College offices to ensure that criteria established by each donor and agreed upon by the College are met;
• As needed, plan, execute and manage meetings and events, independently and in conjunction with the Events and Engagement Officer, that advance donor involvement, cultivation and stewardship, attending as needed;
• Manage the compilation and approval process for donor honour rolls including, 
• Work closely with fundraising colleagues to provide appropriate donor recognition through publications, other potential donor publicity, or bespoke or planned events;
• Identify best practices at other organisations for stewardship planning and operation;
• 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

To be successful in this role, you will need to be able to demonstrate the following:

• Prior experience working in a similar role or similar environment;
• Experience in events management;
• A minimum of Intermediate level expertise in the Microsoft Office suite of applications, with particular strengths using Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint and fundraising databases;
• The proven ability to successfully manage key projects with competing priorities whilst ensuring that nothing ‘slips through the cracks’;
• Proven ability to build and sustain positive working relationships with stakeholders, both internal and external;
• Demonstratable financial and numeracy skills, and the ability to prepare reports using large data sets;
• Exacting standards and high attention to detail;
• Previous experience of working in an academic and/or charitable environment would be desirable.

In addition to your experience, you may enjoy this role if you possess:

• Excellent communications skills (both written and verbal) with the ability to communicate both face to face and through written material, flexing your style depending on the needs of the audience;
• A naturally positive, confident and proactive approach with high levels of personal resilience;
• Flexibility, resourcefulness and a ‘can-do’ attitude, and the desire to work within a fast-paced role with quickly changing priorities;
• A high degree of personal integrity and the demonstrable ability to deal with confidential information with discretion and professionalism;
• The ability to work well within a team, but who is also able to work independently;
• A keen interest in fundraising and education.

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 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