At a Glance
- Tasks: Support fundraising and donor engagement activities while managing records and providing administrative support.
- Company: Join Bolton School, a thriving independent school with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time hours, competitive salary, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives through fundraising and community engagement.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and attention to detail; experience in fundraising is a plus.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth in a dynamic educational setting.
We are seeking a highly organised and detail-oriented Development Assistant to join our Development and Alumni Relations team on a part-time basis, 14 hours per week with flexibility to agree a working pattern that meets both departmental needs and individual preferences. Reporting to the Development Manager, you will play a vital role in supporting the School's fundraising, stewardship, and donor engagement activities. This varied role involves managing financial reconciliation processes, maintaining accurate fundraising and pupil-related records, and providing essential administrative support across the department. You will be at the heart of our efforts to ensure excellent stewardship of donors and effective coordination of bursary and prize programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Process and record all donations, including those related to the School's annual Acceptance Appeal.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for bursary recipients, prizes, scholarships, and grant funds.
- Liaise with divisional staff to gather pupil and parent testimonials, ensuring timely and thoughtful stewardship communications.
- Support donor research and cultivation by maintaining the department's prospect pipeline and preparing detailed research profiles.
- Produce monthly fundraising KPIs, assist with data cleaning, and prepare regular reports and dashboards for leadership and trustees.
- Manage records of prize donors and prepare VIP invitation lists for School events.
- Assist with the production of the annual Giving Report and Roll of Honour.
- Provide flexible administrative support to the wider Development team, including event assistance, mailings, and donor communications.
About You
You will be a meticulous and proactive administrator with strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills. Ideally, you will have experience working in a fundraising, educational, or charitable environment, with confidence handling data and managing multiple priorities. A practical knowledge of databases - preferably relationship databases in a fundraising or alumni relations environment (ideally Raiser’s Edge) - and experience of recording, managing and reporting financial information are desirable, but not essential, as full training will be provided. You will be diplomatic and discreet, with experience of dealing with sensitive and confidential matters. You will have the ability to complete tasks according to detailed, multi-stage processes, and to work under your own initiative to plan and organise your workload in order to meet deadlines.
Why Join Us?
Bolton School is a thriving independent school with a proud tradition of philanthropy and community engagement. You’ll be part of a collaborative, purpose-driven team, supporting initiatives that directly benefit our pupils and the wider School community. With some 2,500 pupils, Bolton School is a large, thriving, academically selective day school. It is situated a mile or so from the town centre in a stunning 32 acre campus and is within easy reach of some of the nation’s finest cities and countryside. A large Foundation Services Department supports the School operations and within this there is a trading arm, Bolton School Services Limited (BSSL). This includes BSS Events, BSS Leisure Services, Kidzone and Patterdale Hall, a superb Outdoor Pursuits Centre situated at the Southern end of Lake Ullswater. Those who work within the organisation are able to combine the experience and pleasure of educating and being around young people with some of the challenges of a business environment. An attractive salary and benefits package is available.
For further details and to apply online for the position, please visit the School website. Closing date for applications: 28 November 2025 at 12.00 noon. Interviews will be held week commencing 08 December 2025.
Equal Opportunities & Safeguarding
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace to reflect the diversity of our pupils and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and to join Bolton School. As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees. We do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. Bolton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Criminal Records Check for Regulated Activity.
Development Assistant in Bolton employer: Bolton School
Contact Detail:
Bolton School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Assistant in Bolton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and fundraising sectors. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Bolton School and its values. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for education and community engagement. Tailor your responses to highlight how your skills align with our mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family. This will help you articulate your experiences and skills confidently, especially when discussing your organisational abilities and attention to detail.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity can leave a lasting impression. It shows us that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Assistant in Bolton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Development Assistant role. We want to see how you can contribute to our fundraising and donor engagement activities!
Show Off Your Organisational Skills: Since this role requires strong organisational abilities, give us examples of how you've managed multiple priorities in the past. We love seeing candidates who can juggle tasks like pros!
Be Detail-Oriented: Attention to detail is key for this position. When writing your application, double-check for any typos or errors. We appreciate candidates who take the time to ensure their work is polished and professional.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bolton School
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Development Assistant role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities like managing financial records and supporting donor engagement. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Since this role requires strong organisational abilities, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects. Be ready to discuss how you prioritised your workload and maintained attention to detail, especially in a fundraising or administrative context.
✨Research the School and Its Values
Take some time to learn about Bolton School's mission, values, and community initiatives. Understanding their philanthropic efforts and how they engage with alumni will allow you to tailor your responses and demonstrate your alignment with their goals during the interview.
✨Prepare Questions for Your Interviewers
Interviews are a two-way street, so think of insightful questions to ask your interviewers. Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of projects you'll be involved in, or how success is measured in the Development department. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.