Deputy Director of Philanthropy
Hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Competitive plus benefits
Required from: September 2026
This is an exciting opportunity to build on the success of an established philanthropy and alumnae engagement programme and continue driving philanthropy at South Hampstead High School so that we continue to develop the leaders, thinkers, and creators of tomorrow.
We are seeking a Deputy Director of Philanthropy who believes strongly in the power of education to transform lives. We recently celebrated the school’s 150th anniversary with a major fundraising campaign to raise £1.5 million to enhance bursary opportunities and improve facilities. With over £1 million already donated and pledged to our projects to promote opportunity and wellbeing, the Deputy Director of Philanthropy will play a key role ensuring this continues, driving the momentum of this campaign and overseeing the continued development of our bold and ambitious fundraising and engagement strategy.
They will harness relationships built with highly engaged alumnae, parents, staff and friends of the school to continue the development of a dynamic programme of major gifts and engagement that strengthens lifelong connections with the school and generates significant philanthropic investment.
This role requires a strategic and entrepreneurial development professional with the ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and inspire philanthropic support for the school’s mission.
The successful candidate will need significant experience in philanthropy, development or fundraising leadership, with proven success of securing major gifts and managing donor pipelines and developing and delivering strategic fundraising campaigns.
The ability to build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, donors and volunteers is essential, in addition to the ability to articulate compelling cases for support.
About the School
Working at South Hampstead is stimulating, challenging and fun. Located in leafy Hampstead, with the buzz of central London’s cultural life close at hand, the school is very well served by public transport and there are excellent local amenities nearby.
The school is part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools. We offer a variety of benefits, such as:
- Competitive salaries and pay progression
- Access to extensive professional development opportunities
- Training grants for qualifications
- Generous pension schemes
- Free life assurance benefit
- Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
- A Cycle to Work scheme
- Competitive terms and conditions of employment
- A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
To find out more and to apply, please click the apply button.
The closing date for applications is Monday 20th April 2026 at 9am.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and suitable candidates may be invited to interview before the published interview date.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the position or if an offer is made and accepted.
The school may also conduct online searches (including publicly available social media searches) as part of our recruitment processes.
The GDST is committed to diversity, inclusion and real change: a family where every individual is valued, respected and included.
We are committed to the safeguarding of children and child protection screening will apply to this post.
The Girls’ Day School Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection checks appropriate to the post, including online searches and checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.