Role Summary:
Holmewood House School is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial leader to drive its commercial and fund-raising activities, developing a host of meaningful business and community partnerships. As part of the school’s ambitious Bursary Team, the Commercial Director will play a defining role in diversifying the school’s commercial presence, its fund-raising capabilities and its potential to become a vibrant home for a range of engaging and exciting commercial and community activities. This role is seen as strategic and therefore the successful person will have a place on the Senior Leadership Team.
The successful candidate will have a proven track record in fund-raising, business and partnership development, alongside the strong strategic skills needed to shape and develop this programme into a long-lasting legacy for the school and for our local community.
Location: Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent (TN3 0EB)
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: £55,000 – £65,000 (DOE) + Performance-Related Bonus
Reporting to: Head and Bursar
Responsible for: Lettings & Courses Manager, Swim School Manager, Theatre Staff, (as required)
Liasing with: Operations Manager, Finance Manager, Head of Marketing and External Relations, Head of Boarding, Head of Co-Curricular and Sport and Academic Staff
About Holmewood House School
Holmewood House is a prestigious independent Prep School of 400 pupils aged 3–13 years, set amidst 32 acres of the most beautiful Kent countryside, just outside Tunbridge Wells. The School is a happy and supportive working environment, where we pride ourselves on the exceptional provision for our pupils and staff in all areas.
The school is home to some of the area’s most impressive educational and community facilities, including:
- Indoor and outdoor sports facilities
- Its own indoor swimming pool (home to its successful Swim School operation)
- 300-seat theatre with professional capabilities
- Dedicated Medical Centre and Therapy Suite
- Residential accommodation
- Plenty of purpose-built learning spaces
- Two professional kitchens
- Car parking facilities
- Acres of beautiful, well-maintained outdoor grounds and scenery
The school has a Strategic Development Plan in place to ensure its facilities receive the investment and care required to ensure that Holmewood House School retains its impressive period character and its ongoing potential as a beacon of community and commercial activity for years to come.
Throughout the year, the school is home to pupils who attend its Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep Schools, including Boarders. Holmewood House also welcomes local children to its holiday courses, its Forest School provision and is home to several hiring organisations.
Core Purpose:
The Commercial Director is a new leadership role responsible for the strategic transformation of Holmewood House School’s commercial and fundraising function. The twin missions are:
- To form and execute a strategic commercial plan which maximises annual commercial revenue and establishes Holmewood House School as a vibrant hub of commercial and community activity, targeting non-fee income of a minimum of 20% of revenues within the next five years (currently at 6%)
- To create and lead a fundraising function focused on securing capital investment for the new pre-prep building, enabling the school to expand its provision for children from Nursery through to Year 2 children
This role works closely with the Bursar, Head, and Board of Governors and sits at the intersection of strategy, relationship-building, and operational delivery.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Leadership & Business Development
- Create and implement a fundraising strategy focused on the development of the new pre-prep and innovation centre, including a compelling case for support that articulates the school’s vision for early years education
- Design and execute a commercial roadmap focusing on high-value, multi-year partnerships that make the most of school facilities and generate non-fee income in excess of 20% of revenues within 5 years
- Advise and contribute to the school’s overall Strategic Development Plan, including future capital investment proposals and facilities maintenance and development
- Ensure that all commercial aims are always aligned with the school’s vision, values and strategic objectives
2. Commercial Income & Partnerships
- Proactively identify and secure new B2B partnerships with organisations including, but not limited to, international summer schools, sports, theatre and performing arts companies, corporate event planners and healthcare providers
- Promote the school’s facilities as a premier regional venue for conferences, festivals, retreats and residential camps
- Identify, negotiate and manage partnerships with external organisations including sports clubs, community groups, corporate clients and educational providers
- Establish robust booking, pricing and contract frameworks that protect the school’s interests and reputation
- Work with Finance to understand the incremental cost of commercial activities and review and overhaul current pricing structures to ensure strong and sustainable commercial viability
- Prepare and present compelling business cases for new investment, identifying and delivering agreed ROI within the school’s investment criteria
- Build relationships with local businesses to develop sponsorship, naming rights and corporate partnership opportunities
3. Fundraising & Development
- Lead the school’s first structured in-house development programme, anchored by the campaign to fund the new pre-prep building
- Develop and manage relationships with major donors, alumni families, foundations and grant-making bodies
- Work with the Marketing Manager to develop and grow the school’s alumni engagement programme
- Research and apply for relevant charitable trusts, foundations and statutory grants
- Plan and deliver fundraising events and a robust programme of donor stewardship
- Build a culture of philanthropy within the school community — among current and former parents, staff and supporters
4. Operational Excellence & Team Management
- Manage and mentor the Courses & Lettings Manager, Swim School Manager, Theatre Staff and a team of commercial operatives to ensure seamless delivery of all hires with the aim of making them all financially viable
- Act as the bridge between commercial clients and the Estates, Catering and Housekeeping teams; overseeing site staff during major commercial operations to ensure a gold-standard service
- Collaborating with the Compliance Officer, HR Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead, serve as the commercial lead for safeguarding, ensuring all external partners adhere to school safeguarding standards and procedures
5. Financial Management & Reporting
- Full accountability for managing and reporting on the commercial and fundraising budgets, including forecasting, cost control and hitting revenue KPIs
- Liaise and collaborate with the Finance Manager to ensure budgets are up-to-date and aligned with the school’s wider financial agenda
- Prepare and present detailed ROI and progress reports to the Board of Governors and Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
- Manage the legal and contractual lifecycle of all commercial agreements, ensuring the school is well protected against risk
6. Key Performance Indicators
- Deliver revenue growth in line with targets agreed within the Bursary
- Increase occupancy of the school’s facilities, especially during school holiday periods and weekends
- Secure high-value commercial partnerships in line with agreed targets
- Deliver high rates of partner satisfaction and foster long-term relationships
- Launch the pre-prep building fundraising campaign with a compelling case for support and a clear pipeline of major donor prospects
- Secure early leadership gifts and establish a fundraising pipeline within the first 12 months
Person Specification:
We recognise that talent and potential come in many forms, so please do not be deterred if you do not meet every criterion. If you have the strategic drive to transform our 30-acre estate into a thriving hub of commercial and community activity, we want to hear from you.
Essential Requirements
- At least 5 years’ experience in business development, partnership development, or fundraising in a similar role
- Proven track record of securing high-value commercial partnerships with a range of organisations
- Strong understanding of commercial partnerships based on the utilisation of physical assets and spaces
- Demonstrated ability to manage and close significant partnerships or major gifts
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify and convert income opportunities
- Can demonstrate strong strategic awareness and strategic management skills
- Experience of successfully leading and managing a team
- Self-starter with the entrepreneurial drive to build a function from scratch
- High degree of integrity and alignment with the values of an independent school community
Desirable Requirements
- Previous experience within theatre, arts or sports environments and an understanding of these communities
- Previous experience of working within or representing educational environments
- Experience of capital campaign or building campaign fundraising
- Familiarity with independent school or charity governance structures in the UK
- Knowledge of the grant landscape for educational charities in the UK
- Experience with CRM or donor management systems
- Understanding and awareness of local communities and a community-driven mindset
Commitment to Safeguarding:
Holmewood House is committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and all staff, volunteers and other third parties are expected to share this commitment. The school adopts a rigorous safer recruitment process which is adhered to in the appointment of all new members of staff. As part of the safer recruitment process, all applicants must be willing to undergo vetting checks appropriate to the post including, but not limited to, checks with past employers and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Salary:
£55,000 – £65,000 (DOE) + Performance-Related Bonus
Pension & School Benefits:
The school offers a range of benefits including:
· Pension with Employer Contributions of 10% for managerial roles
· Private Medical Insurance
· The potential for school fee-concession (subject to availability and assessment criteria)
· Free on-site parking
· Free lunch and refreshments.
Hours of work:
This is a full-time, permanent role, based on 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. We anticipate there may be occasional need for evening/weekend working, and some occasional travel, to accommodate the needs of the role. The school is open to flexible working options although this role will be based in school. If this is likely to be of interest to you, we recommend including details within your application.
Start date: ASAP or September 2026
Recruitment and Selection Process:
Applications Closing Date: 17 July 2026
There will be at least two interviews required for this position. Shortlisting and interviews are likely to take place during May and will involve meeting with panels from our Commercial and Senior Leadership Teams.
Any offers made will be conditional upon candidates being able to successfully complete our Safer Recruitment vetting process, which includes references and a DBS check, alongside a number of other background checks. Please be aware that the offer of employment is not confirmed until these checks have been completed and any start date is provisional until this time.
As this is a new position, we are hoping for a successful candidate to start as soon as possible, or ideally by September 2026.
If you would like more information on the role or require a hard copy application form please contact: [email protected] 01892 860000.
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
Work Location: In person
