Director of Philanthropy, New Zealand

Posted: 19 May 2023

Founded in 1854, Whanganui Collegiate School is a coeducational, 7-day-a-week boarding and day school in Whanganui catering for students from Years 9 to 13. It has been providing first class education for 169 years. WCS seeks to be the first-choice co-educational boarding and day school in New Zealand. To equip students with the confidence and skills needed for a challenging future, developing their knowledge and character to be of great influence.

The School has created a sound Capital Generation strategy and implementation plan, coupled with engaging with alumni and community, now is the time for Whanganui Collegiate School to advance.

As an ambassador for the school and working closely with the Headmaster, the Director of Philanthropy, will demonstrate a strong empathy and alignment with WCS’s purpose and values.

The Director of Philanthropy is responsible for the development and execution of philanthropic programmes, the nurturing and growth of existing donors and sponsors as well as the identification of new partnership opportunities and on-going donor stewardship. This includes identifying and submitting applications to gaming, community and private trusts and central government where appropriate. The role is also responsible for creating a programme that builds a multi­generational culture of philanthropy within the WCS community, through unlocking the philanthropic vision of donors, having conversations of significance, annual and regular giving, targeted appeals and major-level donations and gifts.
The successful applicant must demonstrate a mix of experience and will have a successful track record in developing and implementing philanthropy programs, a strong track record of ‘making the ask’ and ‘closing the deal’, coupled with the ability to cultivate major gifts and generating donations. The ability to advocate for philanthropic support of the School to a broad range of internal and external stakeholders will be fundamental in securing this role.

With strong personal integrity, a high level of EQ and excellent interpersonal skills, the successful candidate will have the ability to engage and build enduring relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders from high-net-worth individuals to corporates to rural and urban communities and to past and present students and their families. Travel will be involved, and flexibility around location and hours will be discussed with the preferred candidate.

Good commercial acumen, excellent verbal and written presentation skills and an understanding of relationship databases designed for fundraising, alumni, and marketing campaigns will be essential.

Please email HR@collegiate.school.nz for application information, or for a confidential conversation contact Headmaster, Mr Wayne Brown, via email in the first instance headmaster@collegiate.school.nz