Senior Fundraising Manager

Region of £50,000 per annum.

Working hours Full time

Application Deadline 1 September 2026

Join an aspirational community where your personal impact will be recognised, celebrated, and felt for years to come.

This role is for someone who can design and deliver a major gifts programme that secures five- and six-figure philanthropic gifts to expand bursaries and campus facilities at Cranleigh. You will lead high-value relationship-building, translate strategic campaign goals into personalised appeals, and create stewardship that demonstrates measurable impact to donors.

What you'll be doing

• Shape campaign strategy with the Director of Development and Senior Leadership, translating strategic priorities into prospect journeys and solicitation plans.

• Manage a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals end-to-end: identification, cultivation, solicitation and long-term stewardship aimed at five- and six-figure gifts.

• Develop insight-led stewardship and reporting that shows donors the impact of their gifts and encourages ongoing support.

• Build strong internal partnerships across academic departments, boarding, alumni and trustees to identify funding opportunities and create joined-up donor experiences.

• Support events and donor-facing activities that deepen engagement and raise the profile of priority projects.

What we're looking for

Essential 

You will excel at cultivating prospective relationships into philanthropic income, delivering impact-focused stewardship, and presenting persuasively to senior stakeholders. Solid experience with fundraising CRMs and donor data protection is required.

Desirable 

Ideally, you bring background experience in education (schools or HE), capital campaigns, or bursary fundraising, alongside familiarity with platforms like Raiser’s Edge or ToucanTech and alumni or volunteer networks.

About the team

You will report to the Director of Development and work closely with a small fundraising team and the Fundraising Operations Manager. Expect close support for strategy-setting and practical delivery, and direct involvement in high-profile donor meetings and events.

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape and lead a major gift programme with visible institutional backing.

• Work on an attractive campus in the Surrey Hills within an active day and boarding school community.

• Competitive benefits package

About us

Cranleigh is an independent day and boarding school based in the Surrey Hills. The school is expanding campus facilities and increasing bursary provision to broaden access to a Cranleigh education.

For further details about the role, please see the recruitment pack below.

To apply, please go to our website and click on the ‘Apply Now’ button in the top right corner.

Candidates are requested to submit a brief letter of application (no more than one side of A4), together with the online application and supported by a full CV (via the ‘Apply now’ button) as soon as possible and no later than 9:00 am 1 September 2026. Applications are considered as they are received and therefore the vacancy may close sooner than advertised.

Cranleigh School recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  The post holder will be subject to a DBS check.

Contact Details

If you have any questions about this role, or wish to discuss please contact us by email at recruiting@cranleigh.org or by telephone on 01483 542128