Development Manager

Start date: Immediate

About the Role

A key income-generation role responsible for growing The Roses' philanthropic and contributed income. Working closely with the Head of Marketing & Development, you'll lead the cultivation, stewardship and growth of individual giving, corporate support, patron schemes and donor development — shaping and delivering a sustainable development strategy for an ambitious arts charity with deep community roots.

We're looking for someone with:

• Experience in fundraising, business development, sales, sponsorship, account management or relationship management.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive, organised and target-driven approach.
• A passion for culture, community and making things happen.

Individual Giving & Patrons

• Lead and grow individual giving and patron programmes, recruiting, retaining and stewarding donors at all levels through engaging supporter journeys.
• Manage relationships with existing patrons and donors while identifying and cultivating new prospects to grow numbers and lifetime value.
• Build compelling cases for support linked to organisational priorities.

Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorship

• Research and develop new business prospects, creating tailored proposals with the marketing team.
• Steward corporate supporters to maximise retention and value, working with colleagues and trustees to unlock high-value opportunities.

Trusts & Foundations

• Oversee the trusts and foundations identifying prospects, writing applications and manage the trusts and foundations pipeline.
• Coordinate project information, budgets and evaluation data for applications, and ensure timely funder reporting and strong grant relationships.
• Development Strategy
• Contribute to the Development Strategy alongside the Head of Marketing & Deveopment, identifying new fundraising opportunities.
• Monitor performance against targets, report regularly to senior management, and maintain accurate records and pipelines.

Marketing Collaboration

• Work with marketing to ensure strong donor recognition, and collaborate on print materials and impact reporting.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Proven experience managing and stewarding a patron or membership scheme, including recruitment and retention.
• Fundraising experience, particularly in individual giving.
• Building and maintaining professional relationships with external stakeholders.
• Managing multiple projects and priorities at the same time.
• Using CRM systems (experience of Spektrix is an advantage).

Essential Skills

• Strong written communication skills, including persuasive proposals and reports.
• Ability to identify opportunities and develop them into income-generating outcomes.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, managing competing deadlines independently and collaboratively.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and CRM/database systems.

Desirable Experience

• Fundraising experience within the arts, culture, charity or not-for-profit sector — ideally spanning individual giving, corporate sponsorship, trusts and foundations, or supporter events. You don’t need experience across every area covered by this role — but you should be able to demonstrate significant, hands-on experience in at least one.
• Knowledge of charity fundraising regulation and best practice.

Personal Attributes

• Enthusiastic, proactive, self-motivated and entrepreneurial in spotting opportunities.
• Values-driven, with a commitment to community engagement and inclusion.
• Professional and diplomatic, able to represent the organisation with credibility.
• Flexible and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.

We offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working.
• A supportive and collaborative team.
• The chance to play a key role in shaping the future of The Roses.

How to apply

Please  click on Apply Now and email:

• Your CV
• A covering letter explaining how your experience matches the person specification (maximum two sides of A4)
• An Inclusivity Statement outlining your commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (maximum one side of A4)