Belvedere College SJ is currently recruiting for a Development Manager

Overview

Reporting to the Headmaster, the primary function of this role is to lead a Campaign marked by energy, innovation and vigour to secure the support of a greater percentage of existing parents, a marked improvement in Past Pupil engagement in donations and a measurable improvement in corporate engagement. While maintaining and growing its existing donor base, there is a need to secure new and sustainable sources of contributions.

The Development Manager will lead all the fundraising activities for the College. The role requires that you will be able to work independently and have an entrepreneurial style of work. You will develop and manage internal and external relationships as a key function of this role.

As the role contributes significantly to the marketing of the school and how it communicates its message. The Development Manager will play a key role in both the Communications and Publications Committee and Fundraising Committee.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide a Strategy for the Campaign which is formally reviewed annually.
• Implement and review on an ongoing basis the Fundraising Plan.
• Manage and meet sustainable fundraising targets.
• Manage and sustain current fundraising activities across the College.
• Source new innovative fundraising and philanthropic initiatives. These sources need to be identified in an annual fundraising plan which is updated at the end of each academic term.
• Source and apply for relevant grants as part of the Fundraising Plan.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of specific events, initiatives and campaigns to determine the degree to which they support the Fundraising Plan targets. Report on these monthly.
• Ensure the stewardship of all donors, large and small, so they understand and are committed to their financial support for the college.
• Carry out regular evaluations, as part of the evaluation of the fundraising strategy and annual plan, of the overall fundraising programmes of the College, to continually improve processes and contributions.
• Ensure all forms of Data gathered are processed, managed and retained appropriately in line with General Data Protection Regulations (2018) and subsequent amendments.
• Ensure the Development CRM system is updated as required.

Communication and Marketing

• Working with the Assistant Principal who coordinates Communications is essential in developing the fundraising communications strategy and ensuring that the content we publicise is of the highest standard.
• Communication is a key aspect of this role and using social media and traditional media formats to sustain and develop relationships with existing and potential donors is key.
• Communicate, in person and in conversation and by written updates, regularly with all donors and ensure they are kept informed of progress and milestones.
• Communicate a positive public image of the College and its development via agreed social and print media as part of the Communications Strategy devised by the Communications & Publications Committee, of which the Development Manager is a member.
• Draft and contribute to articles, editorial content and other key placements in the media, college newsletter, Linked In and social media in the best interest of the College’s fundraising objectives.
• Manage the design and updating of all fundraising materials, proposals, videos etc.
• Build relationships with potential donors by developing an agreed weekly schedule of meetings with potential donors, which is recorded in the CRM system.  
• Maintain a comprehensive programme for prospect management which is reflected in the Fundraising Working Calendar.
• Develop the role of the Past Pupils Union (PPU) in securing sponsorship for the Belvedere College Access Programme (BCAP) and potential donors for the Building programme, in consultation with the PPU committee so that they become active agents in the fundraising activity of the college.
• Liaise closely with the Guidance and Counselling Staff and the Learning Resource Coordinator, to ensure a vibrant programme of guest speakers, workshops or initiatives which involve the parents, grandparents if relevant and past pupils. The Career talks are an excellent way of building a strong network where stakeholders feel engaged.
• In consultation with the Link deputy and BCAP Coordinator ensure that there we secure past pupils of the SDP programme who are willing to be ambassadors for the programme and that we have excellent multimedia material to use in BCAP fundraising.

Event Management

• Attendance at and engagement with the specific Belvedere College Social engagements, which bring important constituents together and build a network of potential donors e.g., Annual Union Dinner, PPU Business Lunch, Cairde Ladies Lunch, certain significant Reunion gatherings where it’s agreed there is potential to nurture potential donors.  (These events are subject to annual review and should be agreed with the HM).
• Planning, organisation, and execution of donor’s events (e.g. donor appreciation evenings).
• Planning & organising parent information evenings.

Financial Responsibilities

• Compile and manage the Development Budget for the College.
• Manage the Campaign budget effectively.
• Prepare and maintain a rolling income and expenditure and forecast in close cooperation with the DFA/Finance.
• Provide a detailed monthly Financial Report to the Finance Sub-Committee of the BOM.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential: Educated to degree level in relevant discipline.

Desirable: A qualification in Fundraising or similar.

Experience

Essential:

• Experience in managing diverse organisational tasks and communications
• Customer/client management

Desirable: 

• Experience working with an educational establishment!
• Experience in successfully fundraising from major donors and trusts and foundations.
• Experience of educational organisations.

Core Compentencies

Essential:

• Excellent project management, organisational skills and attention to detail
• Initiative and drive
• The ability to record and analyse data and use technology to support your day-to-day role.
• Excellent communications and networking skills
• Ethos: Be a self-starter, self-motivated and energetic with sympathy for the aims and aspirations that the Jesuits have for Belvedere College SJ.

Desirable:

• Experience of CRM utilisation and management.
• Multimedia communications

Terms of Employment

• Attractive basic salary on offer which is negotiable depending on experience.
• College Pension Scheme
• 25 days annual leave
• Generous paid sick leave entitlement following probationary period
• Bike to Work Scheme
• Opportunity for flexible/hybrid working
• Laptop
• Continuous Professional Development

Application process: Applicants are invited to submit a cover letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role addressing the key responsibilities, knowledge and skills outlined in the role descriptor to vacancies@belvederecollege.ie no later than Friday 19th July 2024.