Operations & Development Manager

Colyton Grammar School, Colyton, Devon, EX24 6HN

9 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  26 January 2026

• Closing date

  4 February 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  26 January 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Pro-rata £29,466 to £30,981

Operations & Development Manager job summary

Contract: Permanent – 35 hours per week (flexible hours), term‑time only

Salary: COL4 + M4 (£36,700–£38,588) | Pro‑rated to £29,466–£30,981

Start Date: ASAP

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and highly organised Operations and Development Manager to lead our administration functions and drive the school’s fundraising, alumni engagement, and community partnerships. This key role supports both the operational running of the school and its long‑term sustainability, helping us continue to enrich the educational experience of every student.

As the leader of the Administration Team, you will ensure the smooth, professional, and efficient operation of the school office, while also providing high‑level PA support to the Headteacher. Alongside this, you will shape and deliver our fundraising strategy, strengthen our alumni network, and build relationships with donors, partners, and the wider community.

This is a unique and varied role that blends leadership, operations, stakeholder engagement, and strategic development—ideal for a proactive, forward‑thinking professional who enjoys working at both an operational and strategic level.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Executive Support & Office Management 

• Providing high‑quality, confidential PA support to the Headteacher. Managing their diary, communications, briefing materials, and visitor arrangements.
• Leading and line‑managing the Administration Team.
• Maintaining smooth day‑to‑day operation of the school office and reception. Supporting administrative and operational priorities across the school.

Fundraising, Development & Community Engagement

• Developing and delivering the school’s fundraising strategy and annual plan.
• Growing and nurturing relationships with alumni, parents, donors, and local businesses.
• Leading regular giving programmes, major gift fundraising, and Giving Day activity.
• Researching, identifying, and prioritising grant opportunities. Preparing and submitting high‑quality grant applications and proposals.
• Managing donor programmes and maintaining accurate CRM gift records. Ensuring appropriate acknowledgement of all donations.
• Coordinating legacy giving and nurturing long-term donor relationships. Identifying and securing corporate partnerships and small‑scale grant schemes.

Alumni Relations & Events

• Managing the alumni CRM database and engagement strategy.
• Delivering alumni communications, newsletters, and campaigns.
• Coordinating alumni and school events, including Inspire Talks and interview preparation initiatives. Highlighting opportunities for alumni to support school needs.

Marketing, Communications & Digital Engagement

• Working with the Social Media and Content Creator to ensure effective website content.
• Contributing to the school’s brand, public profile, and storytelling.
• Creating engaging written and visual content for communications, social media, and fundraising campaigns.
• Managing the school’s LinkedIn presence and responding to alumni engagement.

We’re Looking for Someone Who:

• Is exceptionally organised, proactive, and able to manage competing priorities.
• Has strong leadership skills and enjoys developing people and teams.
• Is confident communicating with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Has excellent written skills and attention to detail.
• Can maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism.
• Thrives in a role that combines operational management with strategic development.
• Demonstrates resilience, flexibility, and a positive approach to change.

Experience in fundraising, development, grant writing, or alumni relations is highly advantageous, but we welcome applicants with transferable skills who are enthusiastic about growing these areas.

In addition to a rewarding and dynamic work environment, we offer an attractive benefits package, including:

• A competitive pension plan.
  
• Free flu vaccinations.
  
• Free on-site parking.
  
• Access to the Blue Light Card, unlocking hundreds of discounts nationwide for just £5.

Supporting Documentation:

The accompanying job description provides a comprehensive and accurate overview of the role and responsibilities, helping you understand the expectations and the scope of your duties at Colyton Grammar School.

Please note: We reserve the right to interview candidates during the application window and may close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Colyton Grammar School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1071 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Colyton Grammar School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/colyton-grammar-school

Colyton Grammar School is a state-funded academy with a selective intake, situated in East Devon.

School location

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