Philanthropy Manager
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School
Wellington, New Zealand
Posted on: 18 June 2026
Closing date: 3 July, 2026
Samuel Marsden Collegiate School is seeking an experienced and relationship-focused Philanthropy Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver a renewed fundraising programme and a sustainable culture of giving at the school.
This specialist fundraising role is donor-facing, relationship-led and outcomes-focused. It will suit a skilled fundraiser who can build meaningful relationships, develop compelling funding propositions, support senior-level donor conversations and secure philanthropic support aligned with the school’s strategic priorities.
Key areas of focus include:
• major gifts
• gifts in wills
• annual giving
• trusts, foundations and grants
• business partnerships and sponsorship
• donor care, stewardship and recognition
• donor pipeline and CRM management
• capital campaign readiness
• fundraising reporting and senior volunteer support.
A significant proportion of the role will be donor-facing, including meeting with donors, prospective donors, senior volunteers and key stakeholders to build relationships, qualify philanthropic interest and secure support.
We are looking for an experienced relationship fundraiser with the ability to think strategically while delivering practical fundraising outcomes.
You will bring:
• demonstrated success securing major gifts or philanthropic support
• proven experience building, managing and stewarding donor or stakeholder relationships
• confidence identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding prospective donors
• strong donor stewardship and relationship management capability
• experience developing donor propositions, proposals, impact communications and reports
• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• sound judgement, discretion and professionalism
• strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple prospects, projects and deadlines
• experience using CRM or fundraising database systems
• the ability to work collaboratively with senior leaders, volunteers, donors, colleagues and community stakeholders.
Experience in an independent school, tertiary, education, not-for-profit or Advancement environment would be an advantage, as would experience in gifts in wills, annual giving, capital campaign readiness, trusts and grants, sponsorship or business partnerships.
A detailed position description is available to view on our website https://www.marsden.school.nz/about-us/work-with-us
To apply for the position, please send a covering letter together with your CV and two professional referees to employment@marsden.school.nz
Applications close at 12pm, Friday 3 July 2026 and will be considered as they are received.
You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this job.
