Director Of Development And Social Impact

The Head of Dragon School invites applications for the role of Director of Development and Social Impact. This is a dynamic time to be joining the Dragon and an outstanding opportunity for a high-calibre major gift fundraiser to make a real difference in enabling the vision for the Dragon to be realised.

Dragon School is one of Britain’s leading preparatory schools, offering a first-class day and boarding education for girls and boys aged 4-13 years.  Located in the heart of the city of Oxford, the Dragon provides a distinctive educational experience that not only celebrates childhood and the joy of learning, but also prepares young people with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world and continue to ‘Reach for the Sun’.

Reporting directly to the Head, Emma Goldsmith, the Director of Development and Social Impact will be responsible for setting the strategy and delivering fundraising to meet the School’s significant capital project requirements, and supporting its highly successful bursaries campaign. The School has a series of ambitious projects underway, from developing an endowment for bursaries, to the construction of a new music and performing arts centre. The 150th Anniversary in 2027 is an important milestone for the School, providing a further opportunity to recognise the best of the Dragon and accelerate other development initiatives. As such, this is one of the most exciting roles of its kind in the independent schools sector.

The successful candidate will be a seasoned major gift fundraiser with demonstrable initiative, intelligence and drive. He or she will be a natural relationship-builder with the capacity to develop a compelling and effective Development and Social Impact strategy aligned to the School’s long term ambitions.  Applications are welcome from a variety of sectors but strong candidates are likely to be proven fundraising professionals with a demonstrable track record of delivering significant major gifts.

Further information on Dragon School can be found at www.dragonschool.org and a candidate brief is available from www.odgers.com/90172.    

Letters of application and CVs should be submitted by the closing date, 9am Friday 2 February, to Peter Lawrence at Odgers Berndtson. 

Dragon School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.