Development Manager – Events and Communications

The Development & Alumni Relations Office leads the process of generating long-term and consistent voluntary income for Merchant Taylors’ School, and for running a comprehensive alumni and parental relations programme.

The post-holder will plan, manage and have an input to the strategy for a programme of events and publications for the Merchant Taylors’ School Development and Alumni Relations Office that will maximise current and future fundraising opportunities for the school.

The office structure includes an Administrator who will support this role with much of the administrative burden, particularly in terms of event bookings and preparation. Also in the team are the Director of Development and Alumni Relations, and Development Manager (Fundraising and Stewardship).

Main duties and responsibilities

Events

• Planning and managing a range of events for the school (that will include social and reunion opportunities, networking, careers support, prospect cultivation, etc). This will include involvement in the organisation of OMT Society events, Friends of MTS events, Careers Office events, and general school events, where these are aligned with the Development and Alumni Relations Office’s strategy.

• Analysis of event attendees prior to events so that fundraising opportunities are maximised, including briefing any prospect canvassers who are to be present at the event.

• Liaising with other event organisers and taking responsibility for ensuring they have everything they require to make the event run smoothly.

• Analysis of events and measurement of their success or otherwise against office targets, implementing changes to the programme where necessary.

• Manage the budget for events in conjunction with the Director of Development.

Communications

• As part of an editorial team, working with the Director of Development and Alumni Relations and the School’s Marketing and Admissions Department, to generate content for Concordia magazine. This may include conducting interviews for features for both, playing a part in the editorial process, and overseeing production schedules.

• Generating content for, and producing, the termly e-newsletter, Parvae Res, sent at the end of the Easter and Summer terms.

• Communicating and marketing the events programme by email and in printed communications.

• Managing the school’s online platform for alumni, Almabase.

• Generating content for Almabase and the school’s social media platforms, in conjunction with the Marketing and Communications Office, to drive online engagement with the School.

• Reviews and analysis of communications programme against office targets and identifying areas for growth.

• Working in conjunction with the Development Manager (Fundraising and Stewardship) to produce benefactor publications.

Fundraising

• Assist in the process of prospect identification, cultivation and engagement through research, events, and featuring prospects in our communications.

• Contribute to the production of fundraising materials.

Reporting

• Reporting on progress against all objectives, particularly alumni relations, to the Development and Alumni Relations Committee, a sub-committee of Governors.

• Ensuring that all contact with OMTs and parents is recorded on the Development Office’s database, the Raiser’s Edge.

Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting/interviews will progress up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, we reserve the right to close the advert early.

Interviews to be held 11th and 12th November 2026

Merchant Taylors’ School is an equal opportunities employer committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. As this role will bring you into contact with children you are expected to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).