Head of Development and Alumni

The Head of Development and Alumni reports directly to the Headmaster and is responsible for the strategic development of fundraising and alumni relations to support the achievement of Millfield’s strategic aims.

The successful person will need experience of leading fundraising strategies and using research and analysis to create ambitious fundraising plans. An understanding of the alumni/school relationship is also advantageous.

National and international travel will be a key part of this role, as well as the management and development of the Development Manager and Alumni Manager.

Principal Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Lead and manage Millfield’s Foundation fundraising strategy to become the market leader in transformational bursaries and experiences for socially and financially disadvantaged children at the school

• Develop ambitious and aspirational fundraising plans in respect of major gifts, regular giving, legacies and trusts and foundations, based on qualitative research and quantitative database intelligence

• Work effectively with the Millfield Foundation and ensure KPIs for bursary funds are achieved

• Secure major gifts for the School’s capital projects, to support the realisation of the campus masterplan

• Oversee alumni relations, ensuring that Old Millfieldians remain connected with the Millfield Way

Management

• Lead, manage and appraise the Development and Alumni team (Foundation Manager, Alumni Manager and two Archivists) in all aspects of fundraising and alumni relations, ensuring clear objectives and KPIs are set to ensure effective and efficient outcomes and the highest standards V1 of fundraising practice in the development team

• Produce a detailed Fundraising Plan with timely, relevant and accurate reports to the Headmaster and Governing Body on progress and projections on Development and Alumni strategic objectives

• Support Millfield’s overall public benefit strategy by liaising with the Head of Marketing to provide bursary reports for public consumption

• Liaise with the Finance Director to ensure the fundraising strategy is supported by policies, day to day practises, gift management and accounting, in accordance with best practice established by the Institute for Fundraising, maintaining the highest standards of fundraising practice

• Review all communications and publications, working closely with the Head of Marketing to develop effective communication channels with the wider Millfield community (external and internal) overseeing the increased use of social media to reach and engage friends of the school

• Comply with current legislation (including charities law, fiscal law and GDPR) at all times

• Liaise closely with the Finance Director to manage budget expenditure and produce regular financial and analytical reports on fundraising

• Ensure, through the Alumni Manager and Foundation Manager, that the Development and Alumni database is kept up to date with relevant details of alumni, donors and other supporters so that it can supply bespoke and tailored reports to support data analysis

• Ensure a flexible approach to working hours and overseas and UK travel to win support for Millfield’s fundraising objectives, maintain Old Millfieldian connections and represent Millfield Admissions where appropriate

• Keep up to date with fundraising best practice, advising the Headmaster and Finance Director as appropriate

• Act as a steward and adviser to the Foundation Board, providing structure and support such that Board members can be most effective in their work for the Foundation