Development and Alumni Officer

Salary FTE: £25,087 to £28,510, 37.5 hours per week, Term-time only.

Actual Salary: £18,171 to 19,036

Contract Status - Permanent 

Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation comprises of two prestigious schools which date back to the early 1400s: Chorister School and Durham School.

Situated in the historic city of Durham, our schools have a rich tradition of academic excellence and holistic education, rooted in the values of community, heritage, and innovation.

We provide a nurturing environment where students thrive academically, socially, and personally, preparing them for successful futures.

We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated plumber to join our estates team.

Key Function

  • To maintain, promote and extend positive relationships across the Foundation Community to generate support for the aims and objectives of the Foundation. 
    This is a pivotal position within the dynamic and successful Development, Alumni and Events Team.
  • The role will demand close involvement in all aspects of fundraising and development, with a particular focus on its major gift fundraising and supporter care activity. It will bring the incumbent into contact with parents, staff, alumni, corporate sponsors and other supporters and high levels of discretion, confidentiality and charm will be essential. 

Person Specification 

  • Educated to degree level.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Excellent time management skills.
  • Excellent organisational skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills.
  • Strong ICT competency.
  • Ability to work flexibly to achieve goals. Ability to represent the face of the Foundation to its supporters, whether one-on-one, in small groups or at large functions.]

Specific Duties 

  • Support Development Team: Assist the Development Director and team in fundraising and alumni relations efforts.
  • Fundraising Appeals: Develop engaging fundraising appeals and multi-channel communication plans for alumni and supporters.
  • Content Creation: Use design skills to create impactful, audience-targeted content for alumni communications.
  • Alumni Marketing: Promote services to alumni with clear, friendly messaging.
  • Copywriting and Acknowledgements: Write inspiring appeal copy and thank-you messages, making supporters feel valued.
  • Data Management: Use and manage alumni data to create targeted mailings and support alumni engagement.
  • Research and Briefing: Research key supporters to prepare the team for meetings and donor interactions.
  • Gift Processing: Coordinate with Finance to record gifts accurately and ensure timely gift aid claims.
  • Legacy Fundraising Coordination: Develop the Foundation’s legacy fundraising program and manage necessary documentation.
  • Prospect Pipeline Management: Maintain and review the prospect pipeline, ensuring records are up-to-date and tracking major donor engagement.
  • Donor Stewardship: Implement a donor stewardship strategy that includes regular updates, naming opportunities, and event invitation.
  • Administrative Support and Event Assistance: Provide administrative support to the Director of Development, including event preparation and management.
  • To work alongside other external facing staff to support internal events
  • Within the scope of the role, carry out any other duties as directed by the Development Director or the Headmaster.

Application Deadline: Friday 6th December 

Interviews: Wc Monday 9th December 

Application form can be found here

Please email application forms to [email protected]

The Foundation is committed to promoting the safeguarding of children and expects all employees to share this commitment. Any job offer will be made subject to satisfactory checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure. Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications regardless of age, gender, race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.