Director of Development Candidate Information Pack
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Letter from the Chief Executive Thank you for your interest in this post. You will know how important it is to improve social mobility – for the sake of individuals, communities and the nation. It has been set as a priority by several governments and over the years many millions of pounds has been spent in trying to address the problem.
To achieve this we need to acquire significant support from the government, universities, the corporate sector, philanthropists and foundations & trusts. Not surprisingly, the role of Director of Development is central to this. We look forward to finding out how you might be able to help us to reach our goal.
Improvement has been disappointing across a whole range of indices – school attainment, progression to higher education, access to the professions, advancement to top positions. However, our programmes are working and we have the data to prove it. We work with those young people who should be tomorrow’s leaders, but who all too often fail to realise their potential. We are keen to position ourselves as the national leader in this field to ensure that every young person with high ability from a less advantaged background succeeds.
Richard Gould Chief Executive
Villiers Park Educational Trust staff photo
Candidate Information Pack Director of Development, Villiers Park Educational Trust
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About the Charity Young people with the highest academic potential from the lowest income backgrounds are the most severe underachievers in the UK today. Villiers Park Educational Trust helps them to overcome the numerous and complex obstacles to success. This underachievement creates a major block to improving social mobility in the UK. This is not only a personal tragedy for the students, their families and communities, but for the social and economic well-being of the nation. The educational attainment gap between rich and poor has been estimated to cost the UK £1.3 trillion a year. Britain has a world-leading higher education sector and attending university can be a lifechanging experience for many young people. But access to university, particularly to leading universities, is often determined by a student’s social background. •
In 2015 only 33% of students eligible for Free School Meals achieved 5+ A*-C grades at GCSE compared to 65% for all pupils
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In 2015, the most advantaged English students were 6.3 times more likely to go to a leading university than the least advantaged
Chemistry course laboratory work during their visit to the Wellcome Trust’s Sanger Centre
The Rt. Hon. Nicky Morgan, former Secretary of State for Education, who visited Villiers Park in February 2016, has said: “It is a matter of social justice for every child to have access to a good education, regardless of their background. When our education system is able to unlock the true potential of every child, Britain will realise its true potential as a nation.”
Swindon Scholars celebrating their GCSE results
The Trust was cited in the White Paper ‘Educational Excellence Everywhere’ (March 2016): ‘Children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds can already achieve great results. Villiers Park Educational Trust in Cambridgeshire, for example, runs a four-year Scholars Programme for able students from disadvantaged backgrounds, with residential courses and personalised mentor support.’
Candidate Information Pack Director of Development, Villiers Park Educational Trust
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What Villiers Park Educational Trust does The Trust is a national leader in addressing social mobility through education. It empowers bright young people to develop a passion for learning and the study and life skills to ensure they reach their full academic potential. Its programmes have a significant and proven impact on students from lower income backgrounds – improving their attainment, self-confidence, motivation and aspirations. Its Scholars Programme is a comprehensive four-year pathway for bright students from less advantaged backgrounds between Year 10 and Year 13. The programme includes mentoring, workshops, residential courses and work with their schools and colleges. The Trust’s Inspiring Excellence Programme subject-specific residential courses are challenging and transformational. They develop a passion for learning and provide an insight into the knowledge and skills needed to become an expert in a particular field. Villiers Park INVOLVE enhances the school experience by empowering its students to enrich the learning community in their schools and colleges.
Swindon Scholars celebrating their GCSE results
Hidden Histories course visit to King’s Chapel, University of Cambridge
Candidate Information Pack Director of Development, Villiers Park Educational Trust
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Villiers Park Educational Trust’s impact Rachel didn’t think she was clever enough to go to university. The Trust disagreed. “Before I was in contact with Villiers Park, I didn’t realise quite how bright I was and that I was a potential Oxbridge candidate. While I didn’t go to Oxbridge, I have been incredibly successful at Southampton and have just graduated top of my class!” Scholar alumna Rachel has graduated with a First in Chemistry from Southampton University and is now studying for a MSci Crime and Forensic Sciences at UCL. Neither Russell, nor his group of friends, believed university was an option for them. The Trust disagreed. “Villiers Park raises the aspirations of Scholars, encourages them to attend university and praises high academic achievement. Because of this it alters the mind set not only of the Scholars but of their friends and this ripple effect affects the entire school as a result. It has improved a huge variety of my skills and allowed me, and many others, to achieve our dreams of studying the subjects we are passionate about at top universities and kick start our careers.” Russell, Scholars Programme alumnus, is reading Physics at Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford. Isabelle wasn’t sure where her interest in Neuroscience could take her. The Trust explained. “I strongly believe that – as well as stimulating my interest in medicine initially – the knowledge and enthusiasm I gained from the Villiers Park course played a significant part in securing my place at medical school.” Isabelle, Inspiring Excellence Programme alumna, graduated with a First in Medical Science from the University of Cambridge and is continuing with her medical degree.
A selection of Year 10 to Year 13 students with their Gold Standard certificates presented during the Swindon Scholars Programme End of Year Celebration
Almost 26,000 students have graduated from the Inspiring Excellence Programme, over 300 from the Scholars Programme and over 110 schools and colleges have benefited from the Advisory Service. UCAS and OFFA acknowledge the benefit of the Trust’s work; Trinity College Cambridge and the universities of Cambridge, East Anglia, Lancaster and Sussex support the Scholars Programme, whilst many other universities provide tutors on its courses and masterclasses for its participants. The success that Villiers Park Educational Trust has had has resulted in high-level recognition and a growing number of partnerships with schools, colleges, universities and other third sector organisations. It is poised to make a step change in terms of profile and impact and become a national leading force in the quest to create social mobility and fairness through education. The new Director of Development will join an organisation at an extremely exciting time with significant fundraising potential. For more information about Villiers Park Educational Trust and its work, please visit www.villierspark.org.uk.
Candidate Information Pack Director of Development, Villiers Park Educational Trust
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Background to the Appointment This is an exciting time to join Villiers Park Educational Trust. The charity is at a crucial stage in its development, and the appointment of a new Director of Development will enable it take a step-change by increasing its income to deliver its strategic plan. The aim is to position the Trust as the leading charity in its area of work. By increasing income, it will ensure that the Trust reaches out to more young people, providing evidence of the difference it makes to their lives, and in doing so, influence government and policy makers to provide more support to more young people with high academic ability from low income backgrounds. The need is greater than ever and the Trust wants to do more – to reach out to more young people and to have greater influence. The evidence demands this and the Trust is committed to further growth.
The new Director of Development will be responsible for the development and implementation of a fundraising strategy that will ensure that the charity can deliver its objectives. The new Director will be committed and passionate about the Trust’s aims and will significantly improve the charity’s performance in raising funds from major donors, businesses, trusts and foundations. Leading a team of 4 and working closely with the Chief Executive, the Director of Development will play an important role as the charity seeks to make a step change in its profile and impact. This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious, motivated, strategic, and entrepreneurial fundraiser with a successful track record in major donor fundraising.
The government is committed to improving social mobility and the Trust is well placed to support this policy. There have already been discussions at ministerial level with the Trust outlining the essential need to have focus on the most able, on tomorrow’s leaders, since they represent the greatest waste of talent in the UK today and they are the ones who can provide role models to inspire their communities. Inaugural Garden Party held at Villiers Park to thank supporters
Staff Diagram Chief Executive
Director of Development
Development Manager
Development Manager
Development Manager (Part-time)
Candidate Information Pack Director of Development, Villiers Park Educational Trust
Alumni Relations Officer
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Job Description Job Title
Director of Development
Key Responsibilities
Reports to
Chief Executive
Fundraising
Manages
please see staff diagram
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Location
Foxton, Cambridge
Develop a fundraising strategy and objectives and contribute to strategy development for the charity as a whole, working collaboratively with other members of the Director team.
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Work co-operatively to ensure the effective integration of philanthropy activities within the charity’s other activities.
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Build a network of individuals with the capacity and interest to support major gift fundraising strategy through personal gifts and introductions.
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Personally develop and manage key donor relationships including making asks and stewarding gifts in the most effective ways.
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Develop and maintain relationships with current and new corporate supporters, ensuring excellent account management to secure long term, high value relationships.
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Identify opportunities for trust, university and statutory fundraising, developing propositions that meet funders’ priorities and objectives in line with the Trust’s strategy.
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Work with the Chief Executive to foster effective partnerships with key stakeholders including OFFA and the Department for Education.
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Ensure processes are in place to keep records, monitor progress and produce reports for internal and external reporting.
Job Purpose To direct and progress the Trust’s fundraising programme to enable the continuation of its current activities and the expansion of the Scholars Programme and related activities that support the Trust’s core mission. Key Objectives •
Develop and implement a strategy for the funding of the Trust’s work from high net worth individuals, trusts and foundations, companies, statutory and university sources.
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Develop and lead a major donor programme to secure significant gifts from high net worth individuals for the funding of the Trust’s strategic priorities.
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Personally lead key donor relationships and deliver an agreed personal financial target annually.
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Build and develop a high quality, high performing fundraising team.
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In discussion with Chief Executive, establish overall fundraising targets for the Trust and report on income and expenditure against targets and other key performance indicators on a regular basis.
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In collaboration with other Directors, build the process, structures and systems to support the achievement of team goals.
Cadogan House one of the residential buildings at Villiers Park Educational Trust’s Cambridge Centre
This list of duties and responsibilities is by not exhaustive and the postholder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as reasonably required.
Planning and management •
Develop plans, budgets and key performance measurements, ensure that staffing and other resources are in place to support the plans, and monitor and report on performance against targets.
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Inspire, develop and manage staff in the Development Office team to achieve their full potential.
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Develop and manage the budgets for the Development Office team.
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Serve as a member of the Senior Management Team, attending Trustee meetings when appropriate.
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Ensure forecasts and budgets are prepared and managed to support the Trust’s income generation and meet all the Trust’s reporting requirements in conjunction with the Finance team.
This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification. Candidate Information Pack Director of Development, Villiers Park Educational Trust
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Person Specification Qualifications •
Educated to degree level or equivalent
Experience •
A demonstrable track record of generating income and meeting targets, both at a team and a personal level
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Recent, relevant fundraising experience at a senior level within a not for profit environment, ideally with a significant track record in major gifts fundraising
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Wide experience of fundraising techniques, particularly relating to individual giving (including high net worth individuals), trusts and foundations, and statutory income streams
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Experience of working with and developing high level volunteers to generate major donor income
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Experience of working with trustee boards to increase their engagement with and support for fundraising
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Proven ability to build, manage and develop key stakeholder and donor relationships
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An understanding of donor motivation and philanthropy
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Knowledge of prospect research methods, donor care and development
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A demonstrable ability to develop and manage high level major donor relationships
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Ability to communicate complex issues to a wide variety of audiences
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Good level of computer skills (including Microsoft Office and database) and use of IT to support and develop fundraising
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Excellent oral and written presentation skills
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Outstanding negotiation skills
Inspiring Excellence Programme student volunteers on the ARM Holdings plc stand at the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham
General Skills •
A clear strategic thinker
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Possesses high level influencing skills
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Proven experience of strong project management skills, including evidence of successful delivery within deadlines and budgetary management
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Can motivate and empower a team and can deliver high standards of performance
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Can offer evidence of being solution focused
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Can influence and support the delivery of organisational change
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A team player who can also work independently to deadlines
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Can demonstrate creative thinking
Other • Hastings and Bexhill Scholars Programme Year 12 ‘Active Journalism’ residential course held in Foxton
Committed to the overall aims of the Trust and to developing and delivering the Trust’s vision and strategy
Candidate Information Pack Director of Development, Villiers Park Educational Trust
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Terms & Conditions Annual Salary Location Hours of Work Pension
Annual Leave
£60,000 to £70,000, depending on experience Foxton, Cambridgeshire, CB22 6SE 9.00 am – 5.00 pm Contributory Group Personal Pension Plan (auto enrolment after 3 month’s service) 25 days per annum plus bank holidays.
How to Apply Please apply by submitting a copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter not exceeding one page, highlighting your suitability for the position, and why you are interested, by email to: Claire Reynolds, Project Manager claire.reynolds@execucare.com
For an informal conversation prior to applying to this role, please contact either: Joanna Logan, Director joanna.logan@execucare.com Nicky Reames Director nicky.reames@execucare.com
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Candidate Information Pack Director of Development, Villiers Park Educational Trust
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