Development Officer

Job Title: Alumni and fundraising Development Officer

Location: Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall

Hours: 37 hours per week, Term Time

Salary: NJC scale point 14 – 17. Actual Salary: £23,615 – 24,856 (FTE: £27,334 – 28,770)

Purpose of Job:

The postholder plays a key role in managing the alumni network, with a specific emphasis on events and volunteer management, to actively engage alumni and stakeholders with Queen Mary’s Grammar School. The goal is to continuously enhance the value and contributions from stakeholders in alignment with Queen Mary’s Grammar School’s strategic priorities.

Ultimately, this role is designed to support the school’s strategic plan by delivering philanthropic income and other forms of financial and non-financial support from alumni and other stakeholders. This is achieved by developing and strengthening relationships with important constituents and identifying shared areas of interest and activities to enable lifelong relationships to form.

Main responsibilities:

1. To work with the Headmaster in developing links with the alumni network through the Queen Mary’s Club (QMC) for the purpose of school promotion, school career programme development and fundraising.

2. To assist with other whole school fundraising projects

3. To oversee the financial and administrative function of school donations and the Queen Mary’s Association (QMA) as a parental fundraising body within the school.

It is expected that the role will be self-funding, as a result of the income brought into the school. This may include funds raised through alumni, grant applications and bequests from former pupils, as well as a contribution towards other fundraising projects.

JOB DESCRIPTION The duties include:

• Actively enhance engagement opportunities with former students and other stakeholders. Contribute to development of methods of engaging with alumni and strengthening their relationship with Queen Mary’s Grammar School and each other;

• Maintenance and continuity of QMC database using Raiser’s Edge; leading initiatives to grow and populate the database.

• Management of the website, including creating new content;

• Use a range of social media channels to engage alumni and other relevant stakeholders, such as Linked-in and Mail Chimp.

• Recruitment of upper sixth students to the QMC; Actively contribute to engagement with current students to raise the profile of the QMC and the opportunities afforded by Queen Mary’s alumni network.

• Assistance with fundraising for specific projects; putting in bids for funds and making Gift Aid claims where appropriate; creating new initiatives for fund raising and bequests.

• Stewardship, retention and recognition of volunteers and donors, ensuring they have a rewarding and impactful experience.

• Liaison with Old Marians, including a quarterly digital ‘From All Quarters’ update newsletter, creation of regular email campaigns, preparation of the annual Chairman’s letter and other social media/website updates;

• Researching the School’s Archives for materials to assist in fundraising, events and content creation;

• Management of QMC merchandise, including sales and stock replenishment

• Organisation and set up of the Old Marians’ dinner in September of each year (including liaison with the guest speaker, caterers and QMA bar committee);

• Organisation of the annual July Wreath Laying ceremony in London and surrounding activities.

• Organisation of alumni gatherings in Walsall, Birmingham, London and any ad-hoc events as required.

• Liaison with the School’s CEIAG co-ordinator to organise alumni careers events and procure former students for the programme. Guiding and supporting volunteers during the careers week.

• Be mindful of the diversity of alumni and stakeholders – promote equality and inclusivity in all activities and processes.

• Planning, promotion, co-ordination and impact evaluation of all events.

• Attending of all QMC committee meetings and preparation of papers for Dinner sub-committee;

• Liaison with the Old Boys’ Scholarship Fund (OBSF) arm of the QMC with reference to fundraising and the support of projects;

• Support the Headmaster in shaping and delivering campaigns, supporting key priorities, and monitoring targets. Use stakeholder research and data analysis to make suggestions, monitor performance, and drive future plans and activity.

• Receive, record and reconcile termly donations for the School donations fund; liaison with the Mercian Trust over the transfer and use of such donations;

• Submitting Gift Aid claims to HMRC;

• Treasurer for the QMA, including production of simple accounts and financial records

• Assist with recruitment of QMA volunteers and allocation to committees;

• Oversight of the Charity Commission status of the QMA and management of the bank account;

• Attend QMA management committee and trustee meetings;

• Provision of information for the QMA trustees;

• Being aware of, and complying with, policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and data protection (GDPR), reporting all concerns to an appropriate person;

• Attending and participating in other meetings, as required;

• Co-ordination of activities, when required, across the Mercian Multi Academy Trust;

• Contributing to the overall ethos of the School;

• Carrying out any other duties as may reasonably be requested by the Headmaster, other members of the Senior Leadership Team or the Head of Sixth Form.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Preferred skills, personal attributes or experience

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written)

• Ability to build rapport and effective professional relationships with a wide range of audiences from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life.

• Experience of fundraising and engagement with stakeholders would be an advantage;

• Ability to work constructively as part of a team;

• Experience of database management (knowledge of the Blackbaud software package is desirable, but not essential);

• Experience of planning, delivering, and monitoring events.

• Exceptional organisational and planning skills, suitable for the oversight of large events;

• Proven ability to think strategically and creatively; openness to new ideas and ability to identify problems and suggest solutions where necessary. Identify ways of improving effectiveness.

• Ability to work independently to drive and take ownership of projects.

• Excellent public presentation skills;

• Good numeracy and literacy; familiarity with ICT including Microsoft Office;

• Working knowledge of accounting principles and practices;

• Able to multi-task and adapt to changing priorities.

• Ability to react positively and remain calm under pressure.

Queen Mary’s Grammar school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Policies can be found on our website. This position is subject to appropriate vetting procedures including a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) which will require you to disclose details of all unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions as part of the recruitment process.