An established contemporary art museum, is looking for a Development Manager. The successful candidate will help deliver the museum’s refreshed vision as they significantly shift their operating model. We are looking for a Development Manager to work closely with the Director and Head of Development to develop and deliver the fundraising strategy, predominantly focused on giving circles, major donors and unrestricted regular and one-off supporters, as well as supporting fundraising efforts and co-ordinating relationships with trusts and foundations.
The ideal candidate is an experienced Manager, with a demonstrable track record of securing gifts and donations from mid-high value individuals and corporations, and a deep understanding of the principles of successful relationship stewardships, across a diverse group of donors, patrons and partners.
Candidates applying for this role do not have to be based in Margate, but would ideally be able to travel to the gallery a couple of times per week and attend openings and events as required.
Main duties
Donor Cultivation
- Grow and sustain an agreed pipeline of donors, including giving circles, major donors and unrestricted regular and one-off supporters, and also work with colleagues on corporate and trust/foundation fundraising, where appropriate
- Work with the Head of Development to meet or exceed income targets through direct solicitations and by working with senior colleagues
- Research and prepare compelling proposals and applications around fundraising priorities and appropriate to potential donor interests
- Work with Development team to brief gallery colleagues, Trustees and Development Council members
Relationships
- Work with colleagues to cultivate and steward donors around planned gallery programme events, through a rolling Development prospect and donor engagement programme, and through one-to-one and bespoke engagement plans, where appropriate
- Creating compelling project or impact reports and, where appropriate, demonstrating delivery of commitments made to supporters
- Develop communications (including letters, emails and print collateral) to directly engage prospects and donors
- Identify and build relationships with key influencers, including creatives, sector professionals, notable figures and other advocates
Strategy and Planning
- Work with Head of Development to continue developing the gallery’s case for support, fundraising collateral, supporter crediting and events
- Define, agree and deliver against solicitation plans to realise fundraising targets, including monitoring of progress in each area and identifying where plans need to change or adapt
- Work with Development and Communication colleagues to develop and deliver fundraising campaigns and appeals
Person specification
Essential:
- A strong track record in successful charitable fundraising from a range of private and public sources, with particular experience in individual fundraising at all levels
- Good experience of supporting the creation and managing the delivery of fundraising strategies and plans
- Ability to develop compelling cases for support on an ongoing basis
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills
- Excellent interpersonal and networking skills
- Proven project management, planning and prioritisation skills, working effectively with multiple contacts and deadlines
- Demonstrable experience of finance and budget management
- Strong interest in contemporary arts and culture
- Commitment to and experience of equity, diversity and inclusion work
- Understanding of effective marketing and communications for fundraising
Desirable:
- Experience of working for cultural organisations
- Knowledge and experience of contemporary visual arts
- Warm and wide network of donor contacts relevant to the gallery’s work
- Experience of successful fundraising from international sources
- Knowledge and experience of tax efficient giving options in the UK and internationally
- Good understanding of fundraising best practice, new developments and trends
- Good understanding of issues affecting arts fundraising
- Demonstrable experience of partnership working