At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising and partnerships to secure financial support for St Catherine’s.
- Company: Join a prestigious school with a commitment to holistic education.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous pension contributions, and discounted school fees.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact while shaping the future of education.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in commercial growth and exceptional relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 61816 - 75552 £ per year.
Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience
Contract: Permanent | Part-Time (0.8 FTE) | Year-round (Flexible working patterns considered)
Reporting to: The Head
Application Deadline: 10:00 AM, Tuesday 1st September 2026 (Early applications encouraged)
St Catherine’s is seeking a visionary Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development to join our Senior Leadership Team. In this pivotal executive role, you will lead the strategy for our fundraising, external relations, corporate partnerships, and business development initiatives—shaping the future financial resilience and educational ambition of the School. You will be responsible for securing philanthropic support, cultivating major donors, developing strategic partnerships and generating sustainable income opportunities. Whether your background is in corporate partnerships, high-value fundraising, commercial growth, hospitality, or professional services, this is an extraordinary opportunity to leverage your relationship-building expertise to make a lasting impact. Prior experience in the education sector is not required.
The Opportunity
As a senior ambassador for St Catherine’s, you will shape and execute an ambitious strategy to diversify income, engage key stakeholders, and maximise the value of the School’s brand and physical assets. Reporting directly to the Head, you will oversee our Development and Alumnae Relations functions while collaborating closely with Admissions, Marketing, and Finance.
Key Priorities:
- Philanthropy & Major Gifts: Build and steward a pipeline of prospective donors, leading capital campaigns, grant applications, and major gift initiatives across alumnae, parents, and benefactors.
- Strategic Partnerships & Commercial Growth: Identify and secure mutually beneficial collaborations across business, technology, arts, sport, and the wider community.
- Alumnae & Community Engagement: Deliver an exceptional engagement strategy that turns network affinity into meaningful advocacy, mentorship, and support.
- Asset optimisation: Partner with executive colleagues to identify commercial opportunities within the School’s Site Masterplan and facilities.
- Data-Driven Strategy: Champion CRM systems and performance insights to track growth, evaluate potential initiatives, and guide executive decision-making.
About you:
- Senior Commercial Leadership: Proven success in a brand-led, growth-focused, or customer-centric organisation.
- Relationship Mastery: Outstanding networking, negotiation, and influence skills with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, or executive stakeholders.
- Strategic Vision & Execution: The ability to translate big-picture strategy into clear, measurable execution frameworks.
- Data Literacy: Comfortable utilizing data insights, CRM systems, and performance dashboards to track pipeline conversion and guide choices.
- Ethos & Integrity: Alignment with St Catherine’s values, a commitment to holistic education, and an uncompromising dedication to child safeguarding.
Why Join Us?
At St Catherine’s, we offer a collaborative environment and a competitive benefits package, including:
- Flexible Working: Part-time (0.8 FTE) with flexible working patterns considered.
- Pension Scheme: Generous employer pension contributions (up to 12% employer).
- Holiday Allowance: 25 days plus Bank Holidays (pro-rata), available to book year-round.
- Fee Remission: Discounted school fees for daughters attending St Catherine’s.
- Health & well-being: Comprehensive Health Cash Plan, complimentary lunches during term time, and a Cycle to Work scheme.
- Convenience: Free ample on-site parking.
Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development in Guildford employer: St Catherine's, Bramley
St Catherine’s is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, offering flexible working arrangements and a competitive benefits package. Employees enjoy generous pension contributions, ample holiday allowances, and unique perks such as discounted school fees for their daughters, making it an attractive place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the education sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development in Guildford
✨Get Involved in Local Initiatives
Dive headfirst into local community projects and social enterprises! This not only builds your experience but also connects you with like-minded folks who may know about part-time opportunities. Plus, many nonprofits announce openings through their events and volunteer activities, so keep your ears to the ground!
✨Join Social Impact Networks
Look for networks and forums centred around social impact – think local charity groups or online platforms where changemakers hang out. These places are goldmines for job leads, especially for part-time roles like the ones at St Catherine's, Bramley. Engaging in discussions can also help you make meaningful connections with potential employers!
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re still in uni, tap into career services that may have exclusive listings for part-time roles in nonprofits. They often host job fairs or info sessions where you can meet representatives from organisations like St Catherine's, Bramley directly. It’s a great way to make an impression beyond your CV!
✨Check Out Online Opportunities
Websites like Idealist or CharityJob specifically showcase part-time positions in the nonprofit sector. Make sure to check these regularly while keeping an eye on St Catherine's, Bramley’s own job listings on our website. Being proactive here can put you ahead of the curve!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Impact:For a role like Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development at St Catherine's, Bramley, your cover letter is your chance to shine a light on why social impact matters to you. Share any personal experiences or volunteer work that highlight your commitment to the cause. We want to see your genuine enthusiasm!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure your CV showcases any nonprofit work or projects you've been involved in, even if they were part-time or volunteer roles. Emphasize skills like project management, fundraising, or community engagement. These are key in the nonprofit sector, and we want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Tailor Your Application:When applying for the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development, customise your documents to fit the vibe of St Catherine's, Bramley. Use our language, reflect our values, and connect your personal goals with our mission. This shows us you’ve done your homework and you're excited to join the team in this part-time capacity.
Don’t Forget Your Availability:As this is a part-time position, clearly outline your availability in your application. Whether you're a student balancing studies or have other commitments, we appreciate transparency. Just pop your available hours in your cover letter or CV so we can see how you fit into our schedule.
How to prepare for a job interview at St Catherine's, Bramley
✨Show Your Passion for the Cause
When applying for a part-time role in the nonprofit sector, it's essential to convey your genuine enthusiasm for the mission of St Catherine's, Bramley. Be ready to share personal stories or experiences that highlight why social impact matters to you and how you align with their goals.
✨Bring Tangible Examples of Impact
Nonprofits often look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to create meaningful change. Prepare examples from your past experiences—whether in volunteering, projects, or academic work—that showcase your skills in making a positive impact. Use metrics if possible; it's all about showing how you’ve really contributed.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to encounter scenario-based questions during your interview. These will assess how you handle real-world challenges in the nonprofit space. For example, how would you deal with limited resources or navigate a conflict with team members? Think through your past experiences to give thoughtful responses.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
Since it's a part-time role, they might dig into your availability during the interview. Be open and clear about your schedule and how it can align with St Catherine's, Bramley's needs. They’ll want to know that you can commit without compromising your passion for the work!
