Our staff are key to our success

With a proud history dating back to 1878, Samuel Marsden Collegiate School is widely regarded as one of Aotearoa’s leading independent schools for girls from Years 1 to 13. Marsden lays the foundation for lives of meaning, accomplishment and genuine happiness within a faith-based environment. Students experience dynamic, flexible learning and a future-focused education. They are nurtured, encouraged and respected, and receive the individual attention they need to do well both academically and in their co-curricular pursuits.

Current Vacancies

PHILANTHROPY MANAGER

We are seeking an experienced and relationship-focused Philanthropy Manager to lead and grow philanthropic support for the school.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver a renewed fundraising programme at one of Wellington’s leading independent schools. Working closely with the principal, senior leaders, Advancement colleagues and any future Advancement Advisory Committee or equivalent fundraising/advisory group, the Philanthropy Manager will play a key role in building a sustainable culture of giving at Marsden.

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.

About the role

The Philanthropy Manager is Marsden’s lead fundraising practitioner and will be responsible for developing and delivering a structured, strategic and relationship-based fundraising programme.

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.

About you

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 here.

To apply, please send a covering letter together with your CV to the Principal at employment@marsden.school.nz. Please include the names of two professional referees who may be contacted if you are shortlisted. 

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 role.