ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY
We are seeking an Alumni and Partnerships Manager to lead alumni engagement and external partnerships across the Harris Federation. This role integrates relationships into fundraising, careers and communications strategies to deliver long-term impact across 30+ secondary academies.
WORKING WITH US
The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.
We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.
As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.
Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.
To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the Why Work For Us page.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Your responsibilities will include:
* Embedding alumni and corporate partnerships into Federation strategy
* Identifying, securing and managing partnerships, including sponsors and career opportunities
* Developing a multi-year alumni engagement and giving plan
* Launching and managing giving programmes aligned with fundraising goals
* Collaborating with Careers and Sixth Form teams to connect students with industry
* Involving alumni as volunteers, mentors and speakers
* Building and maintaining strong alumni networks
* Establishing and overseeing alumni boards and senior volunteer groups
* Acting as the main contact for schools, alumni and external partners
* Managing the alumni CRM (Zoho) and ensuring data accuracy
* Leading communications across email, social media and LinkedIn
* Organising events that strengthen alumni and partner relationships
* Supporting Principals and SLT to engage alumni in meaningful ways
* Helping Sixth Form teams prepare students for life as alumni
* Ensuring high standards of stewardship for all alumni and partners
* Sharing success stories and partnership outcomes
* Aligning activity with frameworks like Gatsby benchmarks and sector best practice
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We would like to hear from you if you have:
* Degree-level education (essential)
* Experience in alumni relations, including communications and events
* Project management skills within education or charity settings
* Event coordination experience
* Strong CRM/database management skills with GDPR awareness
* Proven stakeholder engagement abilities
* Marketing and communications experience across digital platforms
* Proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, Word, MS Teams, MS Forms and Outlook
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:
1. Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
2. Annual performance and loyalty bonus
3. Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
4. 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus