Head of Development and Community Relations

Who are we?

St Andrew’s College is a leading independent, co-educational day and boarding school set in a large, picturesque campus in the heart of Christchurch.  With a roll of 1620, it is the South Island’s only independent school offering places from Pre-school to Year 13.

Founded in 1917 in the Presbyterian faith, with a rich history to draw on, today the College has developed a brand of education which adapts quickly to the demands of the present, while holding true to the values of the College’s founders.  This gives the students a combination of freedom and boundaries which results in young people with roots and wings to flourish in an ever-changing world.

About the role

The Alumni and Development Office at St Andrew’s College works to build and maintain strong relationships with its core stakeholder groups, resulting in a culture of philanthropy helping to establish a strong financial foundation upon which St Andrew’s College may continue to grow and deliver the finest education possible.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Development and Community Relations to join our College. This is a permanent full-time position that offers the unique opportunity to champion our philanthropic vision and achieve annual income targets while engaging with our diverse community of Old Collegians, donors, sponsors, students, parents and supporters. You will work closely with and report directly to the Rector, with you managing the day-to-day operations of our Development Office including overseeing one direct report (Alumni Manager). This hands-on position requires someone who thrives in an environment of relationship building, donor care, event management, sponsorship and strategic fundraising initiatives. You will bring your positive and can-do attitude to a crucial part of our school’s strategic vision. The role includes attending weekend and evening events, and so you must be able to work flexibly across the working week.  

About you

You will have superior interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to connect easily and socially engage with people, the ability to think strategically, and preferably experience in a senior advancement or fundraising role or similar. You will have strong collaboration and negotiation skills, business acumen, and the ability to solicit and ‘close’ gifts/donations. You will have leadership experience, along with the ability to work well in a small but high performing team. You will have high standards of professionalism and personal presentation, with an articulate and confident manner that allows you to interact flexibly across a wide range of community groups and donors.

About us

St Andrew’s College offers a supportive and encouraging workplace and culture. We provide an exceptional environment where outstanding students and staff inspire each other every day to make this a special place. We offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package including discount on tuition fees, health insurance, income protection and life insurance, 4% Kiwisaver, use of our onsite fitness centre as well as other staff benefits.

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