Full Time | Senior Leadership Position The Southport School is a leading Anglican Day and Boarding School for boys situated on the banks of the beautiful Nerang River in the heart of the Gold Coast. The Southport School (TSS) has been established for 125 years and is committed to providing excellence in leadership, learning and teaching, pastoral care and extra-curricular endeavours within a balanced, holistic Christian environment. The School has a vibrant Boarding, Education, Cultural and Sporting program that extends across the full year and two campuses. The Southport School is seeking to appoint an outstanding Director of Development to lead and grow our philanthropic program. This is a rare opportunity to shape the next chapter of a well-established 125-year-old boys’ boarding school with a strong sense of history and purpose. If you are motivated by impact, legacy and meaningful community engagement, we welcome your application. The Opportunity The Director of Development will develop and lead the School’s fundraising strategy and programs to foster sustainable and transformational philanthropic support. Reporting to the Chief Financial and Operations Officer and working closely with the Board, Foundation, Old Southportonians’ Association and senior leaders, this role is central to strengthening the culture of giving across our School community. This is a strategic and relationship-driven leadership position, responsible for delivering significant financial outcomes through the implementation of sound strategy, professional prospect engagement and diligent donor stewardship. Key Responsibilities Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned to the School’s strategic plan and long-term priorities Identify, cultivate and steward strong relationships with prospective and existing donors Lead major gift and capital campaigns from planning through to delivery Drive annual giving and community fundraising initiatives Develop and grow the School’s bequest and planned giving program Build and manage a portfolio of mid-level and major donors Ensure best-practice stewardship, recognition and reporting processes Work collaboratively with the CFOO, Board and key volunteers to advance philanthropic goals Establish measurable targets and deliver agreed financial outcomes About You You are a strategic thinker and accomplished relationship-builder with a demonstrated track record in successful fundraising, ideally within the education or not-for-profit sector. You bring: Proven success in major gift fundraising and campaign leadership Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders and community leaders High levels of professionalism, discretion and integrity Exceptional communication and influencing skills Strategic planning capability combined with disciplined execution A deep appreciation for the values and traditions of a boarding school community Why Join Us? As part of our TSS team and community, we offer all our employees a wonderfully supportive working environment, including access to our exceptional facilities (gym, pool, tennis courts) as part of our wellbeing offering, and we encourage all of our corporate team members to become engaged in the wider school program through our co-curricular offerings through our sporting and cultural programs. Another exceptional benefit is access to The Thirty Two Dental Studio’s Smile Care Club. Successful candidates will be willing to support the Anglican Code of Conduct and Ethos of the School. Applicants must hold or be eligible to hold a working with children paid Blue Card and will be asked to provide a recent criminal history check certificate. How to Apply Only applications submitted online will be considered and applications close 20 March 2026. Please connect with Mandy Rice, People and Culture Manager via mandy.rice@tss.qld.edu.au or 07 55319950 for a confidential discussion. Director of Development Candidate Pack Position Description - Director of Development
