The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) is seeking an exceptional and dynamic Senior Philanthropy Manager to drive forward our ambitions and philanthropic strategy across Trusts and Foundations and Corporate Partnerships. This is a rare opportunity for a creative fundraiser to shape a high-impact programme, unlocking transformational five- to seven-figure support to ensure that more girls are empowered to thrive and lead.
The mission of the GDST — to help girls learn without limits, so they go on to lead lives without limits — has never been more important. We are empowering girls to become confident leaders and changemakers, equipped to tackle society’s toughest challenges and close the persistent equality gap. Our public purpose is clear: to reach as many girls as possible, supporting and empowering them to achieve their full potential. Everything we do — from our educational approach to our philanthropic ambitions — is driven by this commitment.
Meanwhile, our alumnae network — one of the largest and most influential global communities of female professionals — is a powerful force for change. With over 100,000 members spanning diverse industries and geographies, these inspiring women act as mentors, role models and advocates, helping to advance representation in fields where women remain underrepresented and making a profound contribution to a more equitable world.
To fulfil our public purpose, we have an ambitious fundraising strategy focused on transformational bursaries and innovative learning, enabling girls from a wide range of financial backgrounds to access a GDST education.
What you will be doing
As Senior Philanthropy Manager, you will play a pivotal role in:
- Fundraising – Leading the creation and delivery of GDST’s fundraising strategy across Trusts and Foundations and corporate partnerships, securing transformational support from high-value strategic partners.
- Senior stakeholder management – Working closely with the Executive Team, Trustees, Heads and senior leaders across the GDST to secure their active support and engagement in fundraising efforts.
- Programme delivery – Overseeing and coordinating high-impact strategic fundraising initiatives and projects, ensuring timely delivery, achievement of financial targets, and long-term growth for the Trust.
What skills and experience you will bring to the role
- We are seeking an ambitious and creative senior professional with a proven track record in Trusts and Foundations and corporate partnership fundraising and strategic planning.
- You will bring strong interpersonal judgement and credibility, with the ability to build trusted, long-term relationships and engage senior stakeholders with clarity, warmth and authority, articulating the GDST’s vision and values with confidence.
- Proactive and commercially astute, you will be data-driven and solutions-focused, with experience of long-term portfolio planning, managing financial targets, and delivering complex fundraising programmes.
Who we are
The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) is the UK’s leading group of 23 independent girls’ schools and two academies across England and Wales. We educate around 19,000 students and employ 4,000 staff, all united for a shared purpose: to help girls learn without limits, so they can go on to lead lives without limits and make the world a better place for us all.
The organisation’s values serve as guiding principles:
- We put girls first
- We think and act fearlessly
- We embrace a forward-thinking mindset that shapes the educational offer for girls
- We are a family of schools
- We provide careers that are fulfilling and purposeful for our staff
As recognised global leaders in girls’ education, we combine 153 years of expertise and experience with a progressive and pace-setting vision for the future. We are dedicated to giving our students the tools to thrive, offering them access to innovative educational practices, excellent facilities, and an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued.
This is an exciting and significant opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of girls and young people. Direct experience in the education sector is not required; we welcome candidates who bring strong, transferable skills and perspectives from other sectors. If you are inspired by our mission and excited to lead this work, we would be delighted to hear from you.