Development and Communications Manager

DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER (DIRECTOR DESIGNATE)

Required from 1st April 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter.

This is a permanent, full time post. Basic Pay circa £30,000 per annum (more for an exceptional candidate) with opportunity for substantial results-based bonus, on target earnings £40,000 plus.

The Norton Knatchbull School is a grammar school founded in the 1630s by Sir Norton Knatchbull for boys aged 11-18, which also now admits girls in its Sixth Form. It currently has nearly 1,200 students. The school has a tradition of positive relationships with the local community, businesses and all other stakeholders.

The school is now anticipating an exciting period of growth, in part due to the population growth of Ashford and the surrounding areas. The Board of Governors have a vision of new buildings and facilities to be provided in the next 3 to 5 years that will in part require external financing to bring to fruition.

Recognising the need to broaden the School’s efforts in funding future development projects, the Board of Governors appointed Mrs S Moir, who had previously worked at The National Portrait Gallery, to this post in a part-time capacity. Since then, excellent progress has been made in further strengthening relationships with all stakeholders including parents, the local business community and alumni including the Old Ashfordians Association; and in supporting pupils and staff in pursuing new initiatives within the school. Unfortunately, Mrs Moir has decided she is not able to continue in this role due to increased family commitments. She will, however, be able to assist the new post holder to settle into the role and effect a smooth transition. 

Recently, the Board established a Development Committee to work with the Development Manager (Director Designate) and to drive further development and growth for the School. The decision has now been taken to seek a full-time replacement and to widen the role to include overview and responsibility for the school’s communication strategy and implementation thereof, including website and social media presence.   

Governors are therefore inviting applications from suitably experienced candidates to work with the Development Committee and the School’s Senior Leadership Team and staff to formulate and implement an ambitious programme of fundraising and communication, in a full-time capacity. 

The successful candidate will have experience of fundraising and/or communication for charities or similar not-for-profit organisations. They will have an engaging personality, lots of energy, excellent communication skills and a good sense of humour. The ability to convert opportunities into results is essential.

For further details and an application form, visit our school website at www.nks.kent.sch.uk Please send your completed application form, C.V. and letter of application, no more than 2 sides of A4, to Mrs. S. Butcher, P.A. to the Headteacher, by post or email sbutcher@nks.kent.sch.uk. No application will be considered unless it is accompanied by a completed application form.

Deadline for applications: Friday 2 March 2018.

The school is committed to the continuing professional development of all its staff.  We encourage all our employees in their career development and respect initiative and ambition.  As such, the School is committed to performance management, staff training, coaching, mentoring and peer support. All staff are positively encouraged to progress.  In return, we expect commitment and a desire to improve and excel. All new recruits to our team will be further supported by a comprehensive induction programme and will be assigned a mentor.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

All appointments to The Norton Knatchbull School are conditional upon the receipt of at least two satisfactory confidential, professional references and a clear DBS Check.

Only candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.

Previous candidates need not apply.