Job Description
Balmer Dawson Executive Search are delighted to announce a wonderful brand new opportunity at St. Vincents Castleknock College for a Head of Development. We are seeking an experienced and visionary individual to lead their fundraising efforts. The Head of Development will leadthe fundraising requirements of the College, implementing the fundraising strategy, continuing the success of the current campaign, and embedding a culture of giving in Castleknock College; simultaneously building on the early progress made with Castleknock College Pastmens Union. This individual will play a crucial role in advancing the Colleges mission through strategic resource development and donor engagement.Excellent managerial and communication skills are essential, as the Fundraising Head of Developmentwill work closely with prospects and donors across two main constituencies (parents and pastmen), as well as with high-level volunteer leadership. The Head of Development will report into the Director of Finance and Administration and the Headmaster, with regular updates to the Board of Management & Campaign Committee. THE COLLEGE Established in 1835, the College takes pride in excellent academic results achieved by their hard-working students, directed by dedicated teachers and encouraged by supportive parents. The College is consistently placed in the top three boys schools in the country for students progressing to third-level. As a Vincentian college, Castleknock College is committed to following St. Vincent de Pauls philosophy, which emphasises respect for the individual, service to the needy, human solidarity and adherence to the belief that self-giving helps make the world a better place. The core values are focused on being creative, person-centred, holistic, collaborative and excellence-seeking. St. Vincent de Pauls philosophy forms the heart of the Colleges value system, which is driven by a passion for education and guided by a simple truth: education is more than career advancement; its about learning how to make a difference in the world. The College Mission Statement is: To have a College which is concerned with the development of the whole person in a Christian atmosphere; which encourages involvement in a balance of religious, intellectual, cultural and sporting activities; and which promotes the growth of self-worth and respect for others in the spirit of St Vincent de Paul. THE ROLE Key Responsibilities: Lead the fundraising strategy of the College Working effectively with the leadership team of Castleknock College, the Headmaster (in particular), the Director of Finance and Administration, the Campaign Committee, and the Board of Management on a full range of fundraising campaign and activities Implementing and enhancing the current campaign plan and in time Growing the donor base of alumni (pastmen), parents and friends; managing campaign and annual giving, cultivating major gifts, and establishing legacy support Updating all fundraising materials, proposals etc. Ensuring the stewardship of donors Managing the fundraising function by assessing policies, systems and procedures and interacting with the finance team Cultivating relations with alumni of the College both at home and abroad Ensuring effective internal and external communication about the Colleges fundraising progress Providing regular updates to key stakeholder groups Ensuring the College communicates effectively with its community Qualifications and Experience: Successful record in fundraising and/or transferable skills Proven track record of adopting KPIs and surpassing targets Bachelors degree minimum Exceptional verbal and written communications skills Strong organisational and multi-tasking capacity Excellent relationship building with an ability to prioritise, negotiate and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders Ability to think strategically at a whole school level with project management expertise IT proficiency - Word, Excel and PowerPoint packages, email, and social media Personal Characteristics: Sound judgement, complete professionalism, and discretion Self-motivated with the confidence to act on ones own initiative A can do attitude, with drive, energy, and enthusiasm Attention to detail Passion for the mission and vision of Castleknock College An understanding and appreciation of the Vincentian ethos and familiarity with the education community would be an advantage Ability to influence Relationship building Target driven High level of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) SALARY The salary on offer for this role will be €60,000 - €70,000 depending on experience (DOE) BENEFITS Annual Leave 25 days with some discretionary days EAP Employee Assistance Programme Subsidised canteen with hot food. Bike to Work Scheme Ample free car parking and secure area for bicycles Staff shower and changing rooms Library facilities open to all??? LOCATION St Vincent's Castleknock College, College Road, Castleknock, Dublin 15 D15 PD95. Close proximity to Phoenix Park Beautiful campus: buildings and grounds APPLICATION PROCESS To apply, please submit your CV and Cover Letter (maximum one page), in Microsoft Word format, outlining how your motivation, experience and skills are a fit for this role profile. Please make your application for the attention of BOTH Gilly Balmer and Zena Dawson at the following email address: CLOSING DATE The closing date for applications is Wednesday 23rd October at 5pm (GMT). Skills: target driven Emotional Intelligence Attention to detail Public Relations Strategic Multitasking self motivated