George Watson’s College is one of Scotland’s leading independent schools, with a proud history spanning more than 280 years. The school is committed to nurturing ambition, realising potential and fostering a strong sense of belonging, with a clear purpose to be the making of every child. Through the generosity of its community of former and current pupils, parents, staff and friends, the school is building on this legacy to expand opportunities, enhance facilities and ensure that every young person can thrive.

The school is now seeking an experienced and creative Senior Philanthropy Officer to join its Development Team and play a key role in growing philanthropic support and advancing its fundraising ambitions. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver individual giving and legacy fundraising programmes, strengthen supporter relationships and help secure the resources that will make a lasting difference to pupils and the wider School community.

Reporting to the Head of Development, the Senior Philanthropy Officer will lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of a range of fundraising campaigns and engagement programmes. These will include annual appeals, giving days, capital appeals, the Legacy Programme and Patron Programmes, alongside support for priority initiatives such as Foundation Places, the Enrichment Fund, Sport, and the Creative and Performing Arts. The postholder will develop compelling, multi-channel campaigns and meaningful supporter journeys that inspire giving, encourage long-term engagement and demonstrate the impact of philanthropy.

A key priority will be growing sustainable individual giving and legacy income through effective campaign management, thoughtful stewardship and a strong understanding of donor motivations. Using data, insight and performance analysis, the postholder will monitor results, identify opportunities for growth and continually improve fundraising activity. Working collaboratively with colleagues across Development, Admissions, Marketing and the wider School, they will help create engaging communications, build a culture of regular giving and ensure supporters receive an excellent experience at every stage of their relationship with the school.

To succeed in this role, you will be an experienced fundraiser with a proven track record in individual giving, direct marketing or legacy fundraising, and experience delivering successful multi-channel campaigns. You will bring creativity, strong analytical skills and excellent written and verbal communication, alongside the ability to manage complex projects, interpret fundraising data and build effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. Organised, proactive and collaborative, you will be passionate about education and able to communicate the purpose and impact of George Watson’s College with authenticity and conviction.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated fundraising professional to make a tangible contribution to the future of George Watson’s College. By developing meaningful relationships, inspiring greater philanthropic support and delivering impactful fundraising programmes, the successful candidate will help create opportunities for young people, strengthen the school’s community and support its ambition to be the making of every child.