Development and Communications Officer
About us:
Villiers Park Educational Trust is a national charity that helps very able young people achieve their full academic potential and gain a place at a leading university. We are committed to fair access – enabling students from less advantaged backgrounds to compete on equal terms.
We provide support, courses and online activities for 14 - 19 year olds and we work with their schools/colleges to improve teaching and learning. We are considered the national leader in provision for post-16 students of high academic ability.
More than 22,500 students have taken part in our Inspiring Excellence programme of residential courses. Year after year, 99% of them rate their course at excellent or good. More than 95% of participants have gone on to university.
Role summary:
The Development and Communications Officer will work closely with the Director of Development to secure funding for Villiers Park and to raise its profile. The successful candidate will be able to juggle multiple tasks, write in very different styles, be detail orientated, create professional products, have good initiative and be confident and committed to raising money for our cause.
Core Responsibilities and tasks:
- Research trusts and foundations that support education
- Submit an average of one proposal a week to trusts and foundations
- Raise Villiers Park’s profile through coverage in local and national media
- Edit and manage the design and distribution of a bi-annual newsletter
- Create marketing materials as needed
- Manage the website, including a potential redesign
- Facilitate internal communications
- Assign tasks to an office volunteer and volunteer photographer
- Assist the Director of Development and External Relations as needed
Required skills/qualifications:
- At least three years’ experience in communications or fundraising (preferably as a grant writer) and evidence of success in either field
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent proofreading and content editing skills
- High degree of computer literacy
- Familiarity with using social media to boost public awareness of a cause
Desired skills/qualifications:
- University degree
- Experience writing press releases
- Experience writing specifically for the web
- Familiarity with web editing software and e-news software like MailChimp
- Understanding of current educational issues
- Research skills (to identify/learn about prospective donors, foundations)
- Confidence to visit reporters/editors and foundation officers and speak to them about our work
Terms and conditions:
Position is based in: Foxton, near Cambridge
Start date: as soon as possible
Duration of contract: Full time position
Probationary period: Three months
Salary: £26,000 - £30,000 depending on experience
Benefits:
- Contributory pension scheme after 3 months
- Holiday entitlement of 20 days plus bank holidays
- Lunch provided on site most days
As we work with young people, please note that the successful candidate will have to provide an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure before appointment is confirmed.
Application process
Our application form can be found at
Please email the application form and a covering letter to Mrs Kelly Dickson, Director of Development and External Relations, by Monday 17 September 2012. CVsmay be submitted if desired. Email for applications:
Interviews for those short listed will be held on Wednesday 26 September 2012.
If you wish to discuss the role before submitting your application or if you have any questions, please contact Kelly Dickson on 01223 872601.