Foundation Manager

Summary

Wycombe Abbey seeks a proactive and relationship‑focused Foundation Manager to play a central role in developing and delivering the School’s philanthropic strategy.

Detail

Working within the Foundation Office and in close collaboration with colleagues across the School, this pivotal role focuses on engaging alumnae, donors and supporters, delivering high‑quality events and communications, and securing philanthropic support that enhances pupils’ education and life chances.

Reports to: Director of Development / Head of Foundation (as applicable).

Contract: This is a full‑time, permanent contract. The first three months will be a probationary period.

Hours of Work: Full time, 37.5 hours per week, worked flexibly over 52 weeks of the year. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required to support events and donor activity, with time off in lieu provided where appropriate.

Holiday: 30 days per annum, plus bank holidays.

As Foundation Manager, you will play a key role in strengthening Wycombe Abbey’s culture of philanthropy. Working as part of a small and collaborative Foundation team, you will help to shape and deliver engagement strategies, manage relationships with alumnae and supporters, coordinate events and appeals, and support the growth of sustainable philanthropic income. This role is well suited to an organised and motivated individual who enjoys relationship‑building, strategic thinking and working in a values‑driven environment.

Wycombe Abbey is a world class full‑boarding school for girls, located on a beautiful site in the centre of High Wycombe. With its distinctive heritage, magnificent 170‑acre campus and impressive resources, the School provides an outstanding education for 650 pupils aged 11–18.

We have been at the forefront of girls’ boarding education for over 125 years. Superb academic outcomes are the School’s hallmark and pupils regularly secure places at the most prestigious universities across the globe. Known for its world‑class education, Wycombe Abbey encourages curiosity, innovation, leadership and delight in learning among its pupils.

The School benefits from easy access to London (24 minutes to Marylebone), the Chiltern Hills and attractive towns such as Marlow, Henley‑on‑Thames and Beaconsfield. Heathrow is also just 20 miles away plus good transport links to other London airports.

Wycombe Abbey has its own salary scale which compares favourably with other independent schools and is well above that of the maintained sector.

Benefits of working at Wycombe Abbey include:

• Enrolment in the School’s generous pension scheme

• Fee school remission at Wycombe Abbey and selected prep schools

• Generous CPD training and development scheme

• Free parking

• Free meals during term time

• Free use of the Sports Centre

• Free eye tests

• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme

How to apply

Please see the job profile document for full information about this role. Applicants should complete the TES application form and submit this with a covering letter addressed to the Headmistress, Mrs J Duncan. Should you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact the HR Team on 01494 895575 or hr@wycombeabbey.com.

Closing date for applications: 26 May 2026

Interview date: [insert date]

We reserve the right to appoint to this position before the closing date, should we receive a high volume of suitable early applications.

Wycombe Abbey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all applicants are required to declare:

All unspent convictions and conditional cautions

All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).

We are an equal opportunities employer. Registered Charity No. 310638.

Wycombe Abbey is a Disability Confident Committed Employer.

Documents

• Foundation Manager - Candidate Brief - April 2026 PDF Document