Development Operations Manager

University College School was founded in 1830 to promote the principles of liberal scholarship. That remains our first and overriding aim. Intellectual curiosity, breadth of study and independence of mind combine to achieve academic excellence; they are not subordinate to it. UCS remains true to the liberal traditions of its founders and continues to work hard to foster independence of mind among its pupils, value their individuality and create a diverse and inclusive community. Academic results are excellent. Music and drama are very strong at UCS, and the school offers an outstanding range of co-curricular activities and enrichment opportunities.

The Development Office is working towards a major campaign in support of the school’s bursary provision and the further improvement and development of its existing and new school sites, centred around the school’s 200th anniversary in 2030. Key to this is the delivery of a range of fundraising approaches and alumni engagement activity. The successful candidate will need to be proactive, imaginative and adaptable.

The Development Operations Manager (DOM) works within the Development Office and reports to the Head of Fundraising & Stewardship. Their work will underpin the engagement of our Old Gower, parent and supporter communities across both our fundraising and alumni relations activities.

The Present Vacancy

The Development Operations Manager will have fundamental responsibility for growing our contactable community database and improving both the quality and quantity of information held about our community members.

The successful candidate will develop DACE’s understanding of our community, including identifying individuals and cohorts who may respond particularly well to different types of engagement. This will include identifying potential supporters for different levels and approaches to fundraising, as well as opportunities for contributions of time and talent.

The postholder will be responsible for the effective delivery and smooth running of DACE systems, processes, analytics and insight. This will include supporting the logistics of team projects, monitoring project activity, supporting colleagues as appropriate, and providing data-rich insights and reports to inform the team’s work.

The role will also include management of our alumni and supporter database. The Development Operations Manager will lead on database management, including complex imports, audience segmentation, KPI and project reporting, and ensuring that data quality and integrity are maintained and, wherever possible, improved. The postholder will also ensure that all users receive the training and support they need to make effective use of the database in their work.

This post is essential to the smooth and effective operation of the Development and Community Engagement Office. The focus of the role will be internal, with effective relationships particularly important across DACE, the Finance Team and the School’s Data Office.

Key Areas of Responsibility

The Development Operations Manager will lead all operations-based work, including but not limited to:

• Data management
• Data hygiene and quality improvements
• Insight provision
• System management
• Prospect research
• Gift processing and management
• Reporting and analysis

The successful candidate will be a team player who is able to initiate projects and ideas while also taking direction. They will be able to identify opportunities to improve processes, stay up to date with best practice, and maintain an awareness of established and emerging approaches to data management and its use within the sector.

Person Specification

• Experience of managing a database, ideally Raiser’s Edge or ToucanTech
• Proven ability to create and implement data systems and procedures
• Ability to manage, manipulate and analyse large datasets, run complex queries and reports, deliver multi-layered segmentations and data imports/exports, and produce performance reports and analysis
• Proven ability to deliver effective data processes
• A good understanding of the principles of data and database management
• A good working knowledge of data protection and PECR legislation
• Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail
• Experience of data analysis
• Exceptional problem-solving skills
• Qualitative and quantitative research skills
• A high level of numeracy and a strong aptitude for figures
• Understanding of multi-level fundraising

Salary and Benefits: £40,000 per annum

• 8 weeks’ leave, inclusive of bank holidays and school closure periods over Christmas and Easter
• Contributory staff pension scheme
• Free breakfast and lunch
• Subsidised gym membership on site

Safeguarding Statement:

University College School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check before commencing employment, as this position is within a school working with children aged under 18. UCS will also undertake its own recruitment checks, including contacting previous employers and others, to confirm applicants’ identities and professional records.