Development and administration officer

Closing date for applications: Monday 21st September 2026 at 11:59pm

Salary: £28,304

Location: London

Start date: October 2026 (flexible)

Working hours: 35 hours per week, generally to be worked between the core hours of 9am-6pm Monday to Friday, 2 days in office

Contract length: 24 months

Looking to use your organisational skills for a cause you can believe in? Support fundraising, membership and grant-making at a charity championing the freedom to write and read.

English PEN is one of the world’s oldest human rights organisations, championing the freedom to write and the freedom to read around the world. We are the founding centre of PEN International, a worldwide writers’ association with 130 centres in more than 90 countries. We are a registered charity organisation, currently made up of 10 members of staff, who work full time.

We are looking to recruit a Development and Administration officer to provide support across the organisation spanning fundraising and membership processes, database management, grant-making, and general administration.

Key activities

• You will work closely with the Head of Development, who you will support day to day, while also collaborating with colleagues across the team, helping to keep everything running smoothly and effectively
• Alongside this, you will play a key role in the wider administration of the organisation contributing to robust, well-organised systems and processes
• You will also be an active member of English PEN, contributing to team discussions and the ongoing development of our work

Responsibilities

Development

• Fundraising - Supporting the Head of Development across English PEN’s fundraising campaigns, to include:
  • Monitoring and communicating reporting and payment schedules in line with funding agreements
  • Administration of, and support on, all membership and development events
  • Ensuring all development CRM records are accurate, up to date and GDPR compliant
  • Producing reports and data analysis to inform supporter engagement and stewardship activities
    
• Membership
  • Being the first point of contact for membership enquiries, sharing questions or feedback with relevant colleagues as needed to ensure timely and thoughtful responses
  • Managing and maintaining membership data within the CRM, including monthly financial reconciliation, processing new memberships and cancellations, ensuring records and mailing lists are accurate, up-to-date, and GDPR compliant
  • Producing membership reports as required
    

Administration

• Database Management
  • Provide accurate record-keeping on our database and internal files, maintaining and updating key organisational stakeholder records, updating contact data and producing reports as required
    
• Grant administration
  • Support on the delivery of English PEN’s grant-making programmes, including liaising with stakeholders, minuting meetings, and compiling and sharing materials as required
    
• General
  • Provide general administrative support for English PEN as required, including team calendar and rotas, general office upkeep and maintaining office supplies
  • Be a first aider and fire marshal for the office (we will pay for you to attend a training course if you are not already a qualified first aider and fire marshal)
  • Carry out other tasks as required by the Director and/or Head of Development

Knowledge, skills, experience

Essential

• Proven organisation and office administration skills, including excellent attention to detail, a professional and confident manner and a commitment to a high standard of work
• Proven experience of using a CRM or similar database
• Proven IT skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Office applications like Excel, Outlook and Word
• Excellent standards of literacy and numeracy
• Proactive and systematic approach to problem-solving
• Ability to organise multiple tasks, giving the attention required, within a set timeframe or by a deadline
• Capable of managing a diverse portfolio of work
• Ability to write and speak eloquently in order to build and maintain both internal and external relationships

• Committed to principles of diversity and equality and implementing these within all areas of work

Desirable

• Ability to work well as part of a team and alone to positively and proactively solve problems
• Excellent interpersonal skills including being an active listener
• Ability to deal with a diverse range of people at all levels using tact, diplomacy and patience.
• Enthusiasm for English PEN’s mission and values
• A passion for literature
• Experience working or volunteering within the arts or not-for-profit sector, or within a membership organisation

To apply

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
• Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted)
• Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
• Do not contact the company directly
• Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk
• Please note you will receive an update on your application no later than 6 weeks after the closing date

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers.

Creative Access offers programmes of training, networking and support specifically designed for people from these under-represented groups.