Job Description

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
We are working with a leading independent school who are seeking a dynamic Development Manager to lead their fundraising, alumni relations, and community engagement strategy. This is a hands-on, relationship-driven role offering the opportunity to make a real impact across bursaries, capital projects, and community initiatives.
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT ROLE:

• Leading and delivering the long-term fundraising strategy for bursaries and capital projects
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with individual donors, cultivating a robust donor pipeline
• Tracking, analysing, and reporting on fundraising performance against agreed KPIs
• Developing and growing a vibrant alumni network through events, communications, and volunteering opportunities
• Strengthening relationships with parents, past and present, through personalised engagement initiatives
• Overseeing alumni and donor databases, ensuring accuracy and GDPR compliance
• Acting as the main liaison for the parent volunteer group, supporting fundraising and community events
• Creating and managing engaging content for newsletters, social media, publications, and campaigns to showcase the impact of giving
• Planning and delivering cultivation and stewardship events such as donor receptions, legacy teas, reunions, and giving days
• Supporting wider school events with a focus on development and community engagement
• Line managing and guiding a Development Assistant, ensuring effective prioritisation and delivery
• Overseeing all development-related administration, correspondence, and marketing materials
• Managing budgets related to fundraising, development, and engagement activities

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT ESSENTIALS:

• Demonstrating strong relationship-building and communication skills
• Managing projects and/or staff effectively
• Confidently using CRM systems and managing donor/alumni data
• Balancing strategic planning with hands-on delivery
• Applying a flexible, proactive, and collaborative approach
• Holding a bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
• Possessing proven experience in fundraising, development, or stakeholder engagement within schools, universities, or non-profits

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT BENEFITS:

• Free lunch during term time
• School fee discounts (post-probation)
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Paid Christmas closure in addition to annual leave
• Free membership to a philosophy and learning society
• Life assurance cover

If you feel that you fit the above criteria, then please apply today by submitting your CV to us. Please note that due to the high volume of applications that we receive, only successful applicants will be contacted. For information on how we process personal information, please refer to our website: How We Use Your Personal Information.
At Australasian Recruitment Company we are committed to an Equal Opportunities policy and make employment decisions by matching business needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities) gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

Skills Required