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- Tasks: Lead ambitious fundraising initiatives to secure the future of St Leonards.
- Company: St Leonards, a top independent school in historic St Andrews.
- Benefits: Opportunity to innovate, supportive community, and career-defining experience.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education and engage with a vibrant alumni network.
- Qualifications: Degree educated with proven fundraising success and relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Join a mission-driven team in a beautiful location with excellent growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Located in the historic town of St Andrews, St Leonards is one of Scotland’s leading independent schools, recently named Scottish Independent Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2026 by The Sunday Times. It is a vibrant, co-educational boarding and day community with a true international outlook. Approaching its 150th Anniversary in 2027, the School is preparing to launch the most ambitious fundraising campaign in its history. This is a career-defining opportunity for an exceptional professional to drive this initiative, instilling a culture of philanthropy that will secure the future of St Leonards for generations to come.
Reporting directly to the Head, this post will be targeted with generating £500k+ of revenue and will demand both exceptional relationship building skills and technical fundraising expertise. The successful candidate will have freedom to innovate and make a tangible difference and be able to engage prospective donors and the wider highly supportive Seniors (Alumni) community. You will protect the School’s reputation by conducting thorough due diligence on donors and ensuring full compliance with OSCR regulations.
You will be responsible for the School’s capital and strategic fundraising initiatives supported by the Alumni and Development Officer and will work with the supportive, mission-driven Executive Team and Board of Governors to develop and implement these. To be successful you will be educated to degree level and have knowledge and experience in previous roles where you have developed a demonstrable track record of devising and implementing multi-year fundraising strategies which have allowed you to personally secure 5 and 6 figure gifts from individuals, trusts or foundations. You will possess the financial and legal expertise to structure complex gifts and bring them to completion.
St Leonards is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory PVG check. Closing time and date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 16th January 2026. Early applications are encouraged as St Leonards reserves the right to interview and appoint at any time. Interviews are expected to commence in St Andrews week beginning 26th January 2026.
St Leonards is a friendly and forward-looking independent, coeducational, boarding and day school situated on an historic campus at the heart of the university town of St Andrews. The school enjoys an unrivalled location – there are sandy beaches, world-class Links golf courses, and historic sites on its doorstep. St Leonards delivers the inspiring, globally-recognised International Baccalaureate curriculum for pupils aged five to 18, and was the first school to be accredited as an all-through IB school in Scotland. It is one of just two schools in the UK to actively offer all four IB programmes, ensuring a seamless learner journey.
The youngest pupils follow the Primary Years Programme, which goes hand-in-hand with the vibrant Outdoor Learning programme at St Leonards. This is followed by the Middle Years Programme and (I)GCSEs. In the Sixth Form, pupils choose between the Career-related Programme and the Diploma Programme. St Leonards enjoys a rich sporting heritage, and continues to boast a strong record of achievement with pupils representing the school nationally in golf, rugby, lacrosse, hockey, horse riding, and small-bore rifle shooting. The leading five-tier Golf Programme continues to go from strength to strength, the Duke of Edinburgh Award is the fastest growing of all Scottish independent schools, and an exciting calendar of trips and activities ensures pupils leave St Leonards equipped with the skills required to succeed in today’s ever-changing world.
Director of Development employer: George Watson'S College
Contact Detail:
George Watson'S College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Development
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to alumni and current staff at St Leonards. They can provide insider info and might even put in a good word for you. Remember, personal connections can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for philanthropy! When you get the chance to chat with potential interviewers, share your vision for fundraising and how you plan to engage the community. Make them see your excitement for the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about your past experiences with fundraising strategies and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've secured significant gifts. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the St Leonards team. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how much you care about driving fundraising initiatives and making a difference at St Leonards.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in fundraising and relationship building. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate a track record of securing significant gifts, so don’t hold back on those achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to understand. Avoid jargon unless it’s absolutely necessary!
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We encourage early applications as we might start interviewing before the deadline. Head over to our website and get your application in!
How to prepare for a job interview at George Watson'S College
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Director of Development, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to generate significant revenue. Brush up on your past fundraising successes and be ready to discuss specific figures, like the £500k+ target mentioned in the job description. This shows you understand the role's financial expectations.
✨Build Relationships
Exceptional relationship-building skills are crucial for this position. Before the interview, think about how you've successfully engaged with donors or alumni in the past. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to foster connections and instil a culture of philanthropy.
✨Understand Compliance
Familiarise yourself with OSCR regulations and the importance of due diligence in fundraising. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles, as this will show your commitment to protecting the school's reputation while driving fundraising initiatives.
✨Showcase Your Innovation
The role offers freedom to innovate, so come armed with ideas! Think about creative fundraising strategies you've implemented before or new concepts that could work for St Leonards. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and willingness to make a tangible difference.
