SEVENOAKS SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Development OfficeR(ADMINISTRATION) – MATERNITY COVER

Sevenoaks School is a large, co-educational HMC school. Founded in 1432 by William Sevenoke, the school has over the last 50 years developed an international reputation for innovation and academic success. There are just over 1000 pupils from age 11 to 18, including well over 400 in the Sixth Form. All our Sixth Form students study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Around 50 students take up places at Oxford, Cambridge or Ivy League universities each year, and nearly all go to distinguished universities in the UK and USA.

Sevenoaks School Foundation Development Office was established in 2002 and consists of a small team led by the Director of Development. The Development Office’s aim is to support the advancement of the School effectively through major capital development, widening access through bursaries and ensuring the financial independence of the School through the development of an Endowment.

1.0Job Purpose:

To support the advancement of Sevenoaks School by providing coordination of administrative services, which underpin the work of the Development Office.

2.0Reporting to:

The Development Officer (Administration) reports directly to the Development Manager (Communications and Events) and works closely on a day-to-day basis with the staff of the Development Office. They will also be required to develop effective working relationships with key individuals within other departments of the school.

3.0Key Duties:

To be responsible for the administration of the Development Office by:

  • Generating correspondence, co-ordinating the diary and providing general administrative support for the Director of Development and the Deputy Director of Development.
  • Organising internal and external meetings, seminars, travel arrangements and teleconferencing on behalf of the Development team as required.
  • Maintaining a strong and positive working relationship with all administrative and support groups within the school.
  • Providing financial administrative assistance to the team, including expenditure tracking against the agreed departmental budget and acting as liaison between Development and the Finance Department.
  • Maintaining an efficient record-keeping system for the team, including current and archived files, using appropriate manual and electronic systems.
  • Handling purchasing of office supplies as needed.
  • Assisting in the effective administration of the Old Sennockians alumni membership programme.
  • Assisting with gift administration as required.

To support the Development Office’s event management activity by:

  • Assisting with the administration and coordination of alumni and other major school events organised by the Development Office in the UK and overseas, under the supervision of the Development Manager (Communications & Events). Taking responsibility for organisation of some small-scale school events as required.
  • Attending these events as required and supporting the Development Manager (Communications & Events) to ensure they operate effectively.
  • Assisting with the administration and coordination of Parents Association events as required.

To undertake occasional special projects and duties as may be assigned by the Deputy Director of Development as required.

4.0PersonalSpecification

4.1 Essential

  • Well-developed communication skills to deal effectively, efficiently and appropriately with internal and external stakeholders (oral, written and electronic).
  • Proven ability to prioritise and organise own workload effectively and efficiently when there are competing demands, and to meet deadlines.
  • Well-developed ability to work well with others as part of a team, providing support as required, and build and maintain effective working relationships.
  • Ability to work autonomously while building positive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
  • An outstanding track record in administrative services.
  • Strong IT skills and demonstrated ability to use databases and third party websites.
  • Experience of working with databases
  • High level research skills.
  • Meticulous attention to detail.
  • Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and demands.
  • An enthusiastic attitude with a willingness to contribute ideas.
  • Responsible and reliable.
  • A working knowledge of the Data Protection Act (DPA).

4.2 Desirable

  • Experience of events organisation and delivery.
  • Experience of print and online communications such as bulk emails, HTML templates, social media and web content management systems.
  • A working knowledge of the ThankQ fundraising database.
  • Knowledge and understanding of fundraising in schools.

5.0Conditions of Service

5.1Working hours

For the duration of the contract, the hours of work are 0900 to 1700 Monday to Friday, all year round. Development Office staff must be prepared to be flexible and may, on occasions, have to work evenings and very occasionally for part of a weekend.

5.2Personnel matters

  • The salary will be not less than £19,000p.a.dependent upon possession of relevant experience and qualifications.
  • The duration of the contract will depend upon the return of the current job holder but is likely to be between 9 and 12 months.
  • The post holder is employed by Sevenoaks School Foundation, a separate charity which owns the land and buildings upon which Sevenoaks School operates.
  • Twenty eight days paid holiday per annum, inclusive of Public Holidays. Planned holiday dates must be agreed by the Director of Development.
  • Staff can join the Foundation’s defined contribution pension scheme.

6.0Child protection

The post-holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children with whom they come into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Child Protection Policy Statement at all times. If in the course of carrying out their duties the post-holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school he/she must report any concerns to the Deputy Head (Pastoral Care). The successful applicant will be required to complete the Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure check process before the appointment is confirmed.

7.0Application

A downloadable application form is available at Completed forms (both parts) may be forwarded either by post or e-mail to the
Personnel Assistant, Sevenoaks School, High Street, Sevenoaks, TN13 1HU
(E-mail: ; Tel: 01732 467740, Fax 01732 456143).
The form must be completed in full and accompanied by a brief CV and covering letter explaining the applicant’s suitability for the post. The closing date is30 May 2013 with interviews being likely to be held within 2 weeks of this date.

May 2013