Development trainee

Closing date for applications: Monday 5th May at 11.59pm

Salary: £25,643 per annum

Working hours: 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday

Duration: 12 months

Deepen your understanding of the theatre industry through this traineeship scheme, where you'll be joining the team behind Donmar Warehouse's fundraising for 12 months.

The Donmar Warehouse makes unmissable, exceptional productions of classic plays, new works by leading writers, and intimate musicals to thrill and inspire its audiences. In a converted Covent Garden warehouse space, in the heart of London’s West End, audiences experience the power of live performance up close, sitting no more than four rows away from the action. The Donmar has blazed a trail for thirty years creating legendary performances by some of the world’s greatest artists, reaching global audiences through transfers across the West End, Broadway and beyond, and that legacy is the foundation of its approach today.

In this role, you will deepen your understanding of the theatre industry by joining the Individual Giving team where you will gain an understanding of Individual Giving within the fundraising landscape at large, within the Donmar, and gain experience running a thriving theatre membership scheme.

Within this front-facing post, you will support the smooth running of the Friends and Best Friends membership scheme, liaise with the Events team to deliver the events programme for Donmar supporters, identify new members and offer administrative support for the Patron scheme.

By the end of the 12 months, you will leave with a deeper understanding of fundraising, including the importance of relationship building and working closely with key stakeholders, as well as a strong grasp of how to confidently communicate the need for support.

Donmar Warehouse’s CATALYST talent development programme supports the development of talent both on and offstage which is underrepresented both at the Donmar and in the wider industry. Through this 12-month programme, the Donmar creates bespoke experiences for roles/individuals within the organisation, welcoming a range of voices and skills to the Donmar. With organisation-wide investment, each opportunity provides focused mentorship and will serve to expand your knowledge of the theatre sector at large.

What you will receive

• A strong understanding of the theatre industry and the key role that fundraising plays at the Donmar and within the sector at large
• Experience of day-to-day running of a membership scheme
• Research proficiency across different supporter groups
• Excellent administrative skills
• Confidence in communicating with a variety of people including supporters, VIPs and key stakeholders
• Working knowledge of key industry databases including Spektrix, DotDigital, Canva and external suppliers
• Cross-departmental mentorship and company-wide investment in your professional development
• Access to a thriving and active Donmar trainee alumni community
  

Key activities

Membership

• Act as the first point of contact via email, and a secondary contact via phone for ticket requests and membership queries from Friends, supporting the Membership Officer in managing the day-to-day administration for this group of supporters
• Support with ticket requests and membership queries from Patrons, when required
• Support the Membership Officer in planning and delivering training for the Customer Service Assistants (CSAs) and ensuring that they feel comfortable to respond to member enquiries that come through to the Box Office, and dealing with escalated issues as necessary.
• Support the Individual Giving team in the administration around the delivery of any fundraising campaigns, new and lapsed membership drives, and donation appeals as necessary

Events

• Act as the lead point of contact from the Individual Giving team, liaising with the Events team and supporting with administration including managing RSVP lists, invitation writing and supporting the Events team in carrying out research on guests who are attending
• Attend Development events, building relationships with supporters and acting as a representative of the Donmar team Prospect Research
• Dedicate a day each week to supporting the Head of Philanthropy to identify and research prospective supporters and current supporters who may have the capacity to increase their giving

Communications

• Work with the Membership Officer on the regular creation of a dedicated supporters’ e-newsletter, looking out for exclusive updates and insights that Donmar can share
• Create production booklets for each show, to be shared with supporters to offer them further insight into the production

Finance

• Support the administration of Gift Aid on donations, helping maximise income and ensuring compliance with HMRC Gift Aid regulations though accurate data management

Administration

• Provide administrative support for the Individual Giving team, including coordinating renewal mailings, issuing monthly digital membership cards, writing thank you letters, gift membership processes, donation and renewal receipts, and supporting the Membership Officer with processing donations
• Support the Membership Officer in ensuring supporters are accurately credited in programmes, on the website and in the building
• Write Meeting Briefing documents to support the team when meeting with supporters or prospective supporters
• Consistently look for ways to improve the maintenance and use of systems - Spektrix, DotDigital, ROMAX.

General duties

• Attend and support the company at events around productions such as press nights, rehearsal room drinks, first previews, etc.
• Undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

• Experience working in an office context, either as a volunteer, work experience or employee
• Attention to detail in all work, with strong administration and organisational skills
• A desire to pursue a career in the arts
• A collaborative team player with a proactive, can-do attitude
• Excellent face-to-face, telephone and written communication skills
• Ability to use initiative and work as part of a busy team
• An interest in the fundraising sector
• An eagerness to learn and develop new skills
• Basic IT skills, with sound knowledge of Microsoft Office or Google Drive
• Flexibility and willingness to work outside of normal office hours on a regular basis for events including evenings and occasional weekends (time off will be given to make up for any ‘out of hours’ work)
• No previous study or experience of working in theatre is required but a demonstrated desire to learn is essential.

Desirable

• Experience working in a customer service role
• Excellent time management skills, with an understanding of how to prioritise and plan to meet deadlines with a busy workload
  
  

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

This opportunity is only open to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates, who are under-represented in the industry and workforce.

The successful candidate for this opportunity will also participate in a Creative Access support programme that sits alongside workplace training. This includes a programme of induction training, monthly masterclasses, wellbeing support, buddying / mentoring and more. You will also gain access to an active and thriving Donmar trainee alumni community.