Join our team and help shape the future of philanthropy at Dio! Behind every great school is a great team of people — and at Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland, we are proud of the exceptional team that supports our community. We would love for you to join our Development team and help continue this tradition of excellence.
Diocesan is one of New Zealand’s leading independent girls’ schools, with an outstanding reputation for academic achievement, innovation, and care. We welcome students from Preschool through to Year 13, providing a seamless and inspiring educational journey.
Education is at the heart of everything we do, and our Development team plays a vital role in ensuring our mission is achieved — by fostering strong connections, growing support for our initiatives, and helping to secure a bright future for every Dio girl.
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Development & Community Engagement Specialist to join our dedicated Deveopment team. This is a full-time permanent role starting on 7th July 2025. This role offers a unique opportunity to champion our philanthropic vision while engaging with our diverse community of students, parents, alumnae, and supporters. Reporting to the Director of Development, you will manage the day-to-day operations of our Development Office while overseeing one direct report (Development Administrator and Digital Content Creator) This hands-on position requires someone who thrives in relationship building, event management, and strategic fundraising initiatives. You will bring your positive, can-do attitude to a crucial part of our Schools strategic vision. Alongside the Development Team you will contribute to:
Fundraising Strategy: Support bequest program development and high-net-worth donor engagement
Donor Relations: Create bespoke cultivation strategies and compelling cases for support
Event Management: Coordinate fundraising and community events from conception to execution
Data & Analytics: Manage donation processing and generate insightful reports for stakeholders
Communications: Develop engaging content across digital and print platforms
Community Engagement: Strengthen relationships with alumnae, parents, and school community groups
Desired Skills and Experience
You will have:
Superior interpersonal and relationship-building abilities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strategic thinking with strong operational execution capabilities
Financial analysis and reporting competency
A collaborative approach with exceptional customer service orientation
Proven organisational and time management abilities
Proficiency with CRM databases (especially Synergetic) and Microsoft Office
Experience with social media platforms and digital content creation
Design capabilities using tools like Adobe InDesign or Canva
Ideal Qualifications & Experience:
Bachelor's degree or relevant tertiary qualification
Understanding of philanthropic principles and practices
Proven project management experience
Experience with marketing automation and email platforms
Experience with multimedia content creation
This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our school community through philanthropic initiatives and engagement programs. The position requires flexibility in work hours, including occasional evenings and weekends to support events.
Our staff have access to a wide range of professional development opportunities as part of our ongoing commitment to continuous learning and development. We have a positive, supportive culture with people at its heart.
What else do we offer?
• Competitive remuneration
• Access to a wide range of physical and digital resources
• Access to fitness centre, pool, and physiotherapist services
