The Yehudi Menuhin School
Director of Development and External Affairs
Founded in 1963 by celebrated violinist Yehudi Menuhin, the Yehudi Menuhin School (YMS) provides a place for musically gifted children from around the world to develop their talents to the highest level within a nurturing and stimulating academic environment, regardless of their economic background. YMS parents come from all walks for life—every year, nine out of ten pupils need financial assistance to attend the school and 26 of YMS’s 88 pupils receive a bursary ranging from 30 – 100% of the school fees. Bursaries are awarded based on financial need, with the average current bursary standing at 80%. This is line with Yehudi’s vision of developing the world’s next musical talent irrespective of their economic situation.
YMS pupils are world-class musicians, with alumni going on to many leading music education destinations and conservatoires. YMS alumni have achieved great success as soloists, chamber musicians, orchestral players, and teachers.
The school is currently at a real inflection point of growth and ambition, with the goal to continue to raise £500,000 per annum for bursary provision, as well as to develop its Annual Fund to support a range of projects. YMS is also planning a major fundraising appeal to mark its 60th anniversary next year. With these objectives in mind, the school is looking for a Director of Development and External Affairs to create, lead and implement a short, medium and long-term fundraising strategy.
The successful candidate will be a dynamic leader with significant experience of fundraising strategy development and implementation. They will bring a track record of success in leading fundraising teams to drive growth across a spectrum of streams. It will be critical that this person aligns with YMS’s values and is a young-people focussed, inclusive, ambitious and collaborative leader.
Promoting equal opportunities is fundamental to the aims and ethos of The Yehudi Menuhin School. The School has a commitment to champion equality of opportunities throughout the community and actively promotes active co-operation and collaboration among all pupils and staff. YMS recognises the enormous benefits of diverse leadership. We actively and warmly encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds.
Yehudi Menuhin School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. Any offer of employment made will be subject to receipt of satisfactory references and the satisfactory outcome of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with children’s barred list.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Yehudi Menuhin School on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference SADANB. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Thursday 13th October.
YMS alumni have achieved great success as soloists, chamber musicians, orchestral players, and teachers.