At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising and partnerships to secure support and drive growth for St Catherine's.
- Company: Join a prestigious school with a commitment to holistic education and community engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous pension contributions, and discounted school fees.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact while shaping the future of education and community relations.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in commercial growth and exceptional relationship-building skills.
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 maximize 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 Optimization: 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 organization.
- 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 & Wellbeing: Comprehensive Health Cash Plan, complimentary lunches during term time, and a Cycle to Work scheme.
- Convenience: Free ample on site parking.
St Catherine's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an Enhanced DBS with Barred List check. St Catherine's is an equal opportunities employer.
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development employer: The Independent Schools Council
Joining Kingsley Explorers Nursery as a Founding Early Years Practitioner means becoming part of a pioneering team dedicated to creating a nurturing and enriching environment for children's growth. With a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a strong emphasis on professional development, this role offers not just a job, but a meaningful career in early childhood education. Located within the supportive framework of the Independent Schools Council, you will thrive in a culture that values innovation and collaboration.
Contact Details:
The Independent Schools Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development
✨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 The Independent Schools Council. 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 The Independent Schools Council 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 The Independent Schools Council’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 and Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Impact:For a role like Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development at The Independent Schools Council, 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 and Development, customise your documents to fit the vibe of The Independent Schools Council. 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 The Independent Schools Council
✨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 The Independent Schools Council. 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 The Independent Schools Council's needs. They’ll want to know that you can commit without compromising your passion for the work!
