At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead individual giving and legacy fundraising initiatives while building strong donor relationships.
- Company: Join George Watson’s College, a prestigious institution with a commitment to philanthropy.
- Benefits: Enjoy eight weeks of annual leave, a pension scheme, and access to the Galleon Club.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education by driving impactful fundraising campaigns.
- Qualifications: Experience in fundraising, excellent communication skills, and a passion for our mission.
The predicted salary is between 36721 - 41838 £ per year.
George Watson’s College wishes to appoint a Senior Philanthropy Officer to lead the school’s individual giving and legacy fundraising initiatives, and support major programmes and campaigns. Develop strong relationships with donors and our alumni community to grow philanthropic income and long‑term engagement.
Main Responsibilities
- Individual Giving
- Lead the planning, execution and optimisation of individual giving efforts.
- Manage campaign setup, timelines, assets, and donor experience.
- Monitor performance and analyse results to drive continuous improvement in participation, engagement, and revenue.
- Collaborate with Admissions and Marketing, and other internal teams, to source and develop compelling content.
- Along with the Head of Development, manage a fundraising communications calendar and play a leading role in content creation.
- Collaborate with the Admissions and Marketing team to ensure website content, landing pages, and donation pages support digital giving goals.
- Execute fundraising strategies in partnership with the Head of Development.
- Build, segment, code, and deploy emails to support giving campaigns and organisational priorities.
- Manage a portfolio of donors linked to specific programmes and campaigns.
- Legacies
- Plan and deliver multi‑channel legacy marketing campaigns (print, digital, events).
- Build and maintain relationships with legacy pledgers and prospects.
- Deliver high‑quality, sensitive stewardship to recognise and retain legacy supporters.
- Organise events and communications to engage legacy supporters.
- Produce compelling and sensitive legacy messaging and materials.
- Campaign/Programmes
- Manage and grow the patrons programme, including recruitment, retention, and upgrades.
- Develop a clear donor journey, including benefits, communications, and recognition.
- Monitor performance against income targets and KPIs.
- Work in collaboration with Heads of the Creative Arts programmes to monitor and administer funds for maximum impact across the arts.
- Foundation Places and Enrichment Fund
- Support impact reporting and administration of discrete aspects of our widening access programmes.
- Manage application process to the Enrichment Fund, including managing enquiries, disbursements and liaison with Finance.
- Any other duties related to these programmes as directed by senior staff.
Ideal Candidate
- Essential:
- Relevant degree, professional qualification or equivalent professional experience.
- Demonstrable experience in Individual Giving, Direct Marketing or Legacy fundraising, with an annual income return of 6+ figures.
- Proven track record of delivering successful multi‑channel campaigns.
- Strong understanding of supporter journeys, acquisition and retention.
- Skilled in data analysis, performance tracking and forecasting.
- Proficiency with graphic design tools, experience with Canva would be an advantage.
- Demonstrable experience with Raisers Edge, or similar CRM system.
- Ability to manage complex projects and programs and deliver to set KPI and timelines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience with content writing, brand voice, and digital fundraising best practices.
- Ability to build and foster relationships across business functions.
- Understanding of charity law, GDPR and best practices in fundraising.
- Commitment to high level of professional standards.
- Genuine appreciation of George Watson’s College’s mission and the ability to communicate it.
- Desirable:
- Fundraising or marketing qualifications such as CIOF accreditation or CIM qualifications.
- Event management experience.
- Experience of working in the education or charity sectors.
- Understanding of the Independent School sector.
Package Description
- Location: George Watson’s College, Edinburgh
- Contract Type: Full time, Permanent
- Salary: £36,721 - £41,838
- Benefits: Eight weeks annual leave (two to be taken at Christmas and New Year), automatic enrolment in the contributory support staff defined contribution pension scheme, Membership of the Galleon Club (the school’s fitness club).
Senior Philanthropy Officer employer: Scottish Council of Independent Schools
George Watson’s College is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises professional growth and development. With generous benefits including eight weeks of annual leave and a contributory pension scheme, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the education sector. Located in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, the college fosters strong relationships with its alumni community, providing a unique opportunity for the Senior Philanthropy Officer to engage with passionate supporters and drive philanthropic initiatives.
Contact Details:
Scottish Council of Independent Schools Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Philanthropy Officer
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Scottish Council of Independent Schools.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Scottish Council of Independent Schools.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Scottish Council of Independent Schools.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Scottish Council of Independent Schools. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Philanthropy Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Scottish Council of Independent Schools. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Senior Philanthropy Officer, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Council of Independent Schools
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Scottish Council of Independent Schools. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
