| Reference: | AQ3529 |
| Specialisms: | Education, Schools |
| Date posted: | 18th March 2026 |
I am delighted to extend my warmest welcome to you as you consider joining St James Schools. We appreciate your interest in becoming a part of our unique and inspiring educational community.
At St James, we take immense pride in our distinctive philosophical approach to education. Mindfulness, vegetarian lunches, and the inclusion of Sanskrit in our curriculum are just a few of the ways in which we stand out from the crowd. Our students, parents, and staff all cherish our truly unique ethos, built on principles of open-minded enquiry, collaboration, and a steadfast belief in the limitless potential of the each individual.
With locations in both Ashford, Surrey, and Kensington Olympia, London, our schools are a vibrant and diverse hub of learning. Our commitment to fostering a culture of mutual respect and trust is central to our mission, and our dedicated staff play a pivotal role in making this a reality.
Our school’s unique ethos extends to our support for staff. We have our own salary scale, and we highly value our team members. You will find ample opportunities for professional development to help you grow in your career.
We would love to hear from you and look forward to receiving your application.
Warm regards,
William Wyatt
Chief Operating Officer
Founded in 1975 by philosophically-inclined parents, our three independent day schools offer a distinctive approach to education which provides for the intellectual, emotional and spiritual development of every child; they aim to provide an environment in which a child can discover all that is best within their own nature.
We actively support our pupils’ emotional wellbeing, focusing on mindfulness and fostering a positive school atmosphere built on mutual respect, trust and kindness.
Our schools enjoy enviable locations in London and Surrey: our Nursery, Preparatory School and Senior Girls’ School are close to Hammersmith and High Street Kensington, while St James Senior Boys’ School occupies a stunning 33-acre site in Ashford, in leafy Surrey, with transport services from London.
About the role
St James Schools is a distinctive educational community with a long-standing commitment to intellectual curiosity, character development and the pursuit of excellence. With a rich history and a deeply engaged community of pupils, parents and alumni, the Schools are now entering an exciting phase of development as they seek to strengthen philanthropic support for their future ambitions.
They are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Development and Alumni Manager to lead the Schools’ fundraising and alumni engagement activity. This is a newly focused role with the opportunity to shape and deliver a programme that will deepen relationships across the St James community and build sustainable philanthropic support for the Schools’ priorities.
Central to this work will be the development of a bursary programme, ensuring that the Schools can continue to widen access and support talented pupils regardless of financial circumstance. The Development and Alumni Manager will play a key role in building the philanthropic foundations that will enable this ambition to grow.
Working closely with the leadership team, the successful candidate will develop and implement a strategic development plan that brings together alumni engagement, regular giving, events and major donor cultivation. The role will be responsible for establishing a vibrant and well-connected alumni network, strengthening lifelong relationships with former pupils and positioning the Schools as a community that remains engaged long after students leave.
A key priority will be the creation of a sustainable regular giving programme, building a culture of philanthropy across the Schools’ community. This will include designing compelling campaigns, engaging alumni and supporters, and communicating the tangible impact of giving to the life of the Schools.
The Development and Alumni Manager will also lead the planning and delivery of a programme of alumni and community events, designed to reconnect former pupils with the Schools and create meaningful opportunities for engagement. Through these activities, the postholder will identify and cultivate potential donors, building relationships that may develop into major gift support for the bursary programme and other strategic priorities.
The role will involve working closely with senior leadership to identify prospective major donors, developing thoughtful and personalised engagement strategies, and supporting the cultivation and stewardship of philanthropic relationships. The successful candidate will be confident engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and will bring the creativity and energy required to build a thriving culture of giving.
We are looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery, and who is motivated by the opportunity to build something meaningful for the future of the Schools. The successful candidate will bring experience in fundraising, alumni relations, advancement or stakeholder engagement, alongside excellent relationship-building and communication skills.
Above all, the Development and Alumni Manager will share the Schools’ belief in the power of education and will be excited by the opportunity to help ensure that future generations of pupils can benefit from a St James education through a growing and sustainable bursary programme.
The School is committed to providing a comprehensive range of non-contractual benefits
Meal: Lunch will be provided on your working days in the on-site refectory during School term time.
Discounts: All permanent members of staff who have passed their probationary period may be eligible for School fees discounts. Any discount agreed ends when your employment terminates for whatever reason.
Christmas Closure: All support staff contracted to work during School holidays will receive paid leave during the Christmas period when all School sites are closed. This is in addition to the annual contractual holiday entitlement.
School of Philosophy and Economic Science membership: The Schools will cover the cost of membership fees for the employee to the School of Philosophy and Economic Science.
Life Assurance: All permanent members of staff are covered by life assurance. It is designed to help your dependants in the unfortunate event of your death while employed by us.
How to Apply
Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to St James Schools. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.
Closing Date: This role is currently live on a rolling basis and we encourage early applications
Applications should consist of:
Should you wish to discuss further details about the role in strict confidence, please get in touch with Alasdair Redwood at alasdair.redwood@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0) 7394 012 383.
If you have any questions about your application, please get in touch.
