At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage alumnae and donors, coordinate events, and secure philanthropic support for education.
- Company: Wycombe Abbey, a prestigious girls' boarding school with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Generous pension scheme, fee remission, CPD training, free meals, and sports centre access.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a values-driven environment.
- Qualifications: Organised, motivated, with strong relationship-building and strategic thinking skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Working within the Foundation Office and in close collaboration with colleagues across the School, this pivotal role focuses on engaging alumnae, donors and supporters, delivering high‑quality events and communications, and securing philanthropic support that enhances pupils’ education and life chances.
As Foundation Manager, you will play a key role in strengthening Wycombe Abbey’s culture of philanthropy. Working as part of a small and collaborative Foundation team, you will help to shape and deliver engagement strategies, manage relationships with alumnae and supporters, coordinate events and appeals, and support the growth of sustainable philanthropic income. This role is well suited to an organised and motivated individual who enjoys relationship‑building, strategic thinking and working in a values‑driven environment.
Wycombe Abbey is a world class full‑boarding school for girls, located on a beautiful site in the centre of High Wycombe. With its distinctive heritage, magnificent 170‑acre campus and impressive resources, the School provides an outstanding education for 650 pupils aged 11‑18. We have been at the forefront of girls’ boarding education for over 125 years. Superb academic outcomes are the School’s hallmark and pupils regularly secure places at the most prestigious universities across the globe. Known for its world‑class education, Wycombe Abbey encourages curiosity, innovation, leadership and delight in learning among its pupils.
The School benefits from easy access to London (24 minutes to Marylebone), the Chiltern Hills and attractive towns such as Marlow, Henley‑on‑Thames and Beaconsfield. Heathrow is also just 20 miles away plus good transport links to other London airports.
Wycombe Abbey has its own salary scale which compares favourably with other independent schools and is well above that of the maintained sector. Benefits of working at Wycombe Abbey include:
- Enrolment in the School’s generous pension scheme
- Fee school remission at Wycombe Abbey and selected prep schools
- Generous CPD training and development scheme
- Free parking
- Free meals during term time
- Free use of the Sports Centre
- Free eye tests
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme
How to apply: Please see the job profile document for full information about this role. Applicants should complete the TES application form and submit this with a covering letter addressed to the Headmistress, Mrs J Duncan. Should you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact the HR Team on 01494 895575.
Closing date for applications: 26 May 2026. Interview date: [insert date]. We reserve the right to appoint to this position before the closing date, should we receive a high volume of suitable early applications.
Wycombe Abbey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all applicants are required to declare:
- All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
- All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020)
We are an equal opportunities employer. Registered Charity No. 310638. Wycombe Abbey is a Disability Confident Committed Employer.
Foundation Manager employer: The Independent Schools Council
Wycombe Abbey is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. With generous benefits including a competitive salary scale, pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development, staff are encouraged to thrive in their roles while contributing to the school's rich heritage of excellence in girls' education. Located in the picturesque setting of High Wycombe, employees enjoy easy access to London and beautiful surrounding areas, making it an ideal place to work and live.
Contact Detail:
The Independent Schools Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Foundation Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to alumnae, donors, and supporters on LinkedIn or at events. Building those relationships can give you a leg up when applying for the Foundation Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for philanthropy! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your ideas on how to enhance engagement strategies. It’ll show you’re not just interested in the job, but in making a real impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Wycombe Abbey’s values and recent initiatives. Tailor your responses to reflect how your skills align with their mission of enhancing pupils’ education and life chances.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Foundation Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Make sure your cover letter speaks directly to the role of Foundation Manager. Highlight your experience in engaging with alumnae and donors, and how you can contribute to enhancing pupils' education and life chances.
Showcase Your Organisational Skills:As this role requires strong organisational abilities, give examples of how you've successfully managed events or projects in the past. We want to see that you can juggle multiple tasks while keeping everything on track!
Emphasise Relationship-Building:This position is all about building relationships, so share stories that demonstrate your ability to connect with people. Whether it’s through networking or previous roles, let us know how you’ve fostered strong connections.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Wycombe Abbey.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Independent Schools Council
✨Know Your Philanthropy
Make sure you understand the culture of philanthropy at Wycombe Abbey. Research their past events and initiatives to show your genuine interest in enhancing pupils' education and life chances. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a deeper level.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
As a Foundation Manager, relationship-building is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully engaged with alumnae, donors, or supporters. Highlight how you managed those relationships and the impact they had on your previous organisations.
✨Be Event-Ready
Since the role involves coordinating events, come prepared with ideas for potential events that could engage the community. Think about how you would approach planning and executing these events, and be ready to discuss your organisational strategies during the interview.
✨Align with Their Values
Wycombe Abbey values curiosity, innovation, and leadership. Reflect on how your personal values align with theirs and be ready to share specific examples of how you've demonstrated these qualities in your work. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the school's culture.
