Senior development manager

Closing date: 9am, Monday 4 December 2023

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum dependent on experience (pro rata if applicable)

Hours: Full-time (37 hours) or part-time (minimum 29.6 hours). Compressed hours would also be considered. 

Are you an experienced arts fundraiser looking for your next challenge?

The Hepworth Wakefield has welcomed over 2.5 million visitors since opening in May 2011 and is now established as one of the most successful public art galleries in the UK, attracting critical acclaim and audiences from around the world. We present an ambitious programme of major exhibitions of the best international modern and contemporary art, alongside innovative displays drawn from Wakefield’s growing art collection. Central to our work is our learning programme that engages schools, families, adults and local community groups through inspiring creative learning opportunities. In 2019, we opened The Hepworth Wakefield Garden, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, to complement our David Chipperfield-designed gallery and provide an inspiring public garden, free for all to enjoy.

We have recently been joined by neighbours Tileyard North, who have developed the 19th-century mill complex opposite the gallery into a vibrant hub for the creative industries. We are now embarking upon two capital projects to complete our wider waterfront site, including returning our much-loved playground and creating a workshop and yard space for our Gardener and her team of volunteers.

We are seeking an exceptional senior fundraiser with experience in all areas of giving (including Trust & Foundations, major donors and corporate sponsorship) to lead on delivering our fundraising strategy. You will have a clear understanding of the sector, be an excellent communicator, enjoy relationship-building and donor cultivation and excel at working with colleagues and leading a team to ensure fundraising success. 

Responsibilities

• With support from the Deputy Director, the Senior Development Manager will devise, implement and regularly review the organisation's fundraising strategy to achieve agreed income targets.
• Working closely with the Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees, you will identify and cultivate a range of individuals and corporate businesses to recruit new donors and sponsors, while maintaining excellent relationships with existing supporters.
• With support from the Development Officer, you will oversee The Hepworth Wakefield's Membership schemes (Members, Patrons & Circles), including regularly benchmarking the schemes within the sector to achieve maximum income, while offering attractive benefits packages to secure growth in all levels of the scheme.
• Lead the development and relationship management of our circle-level supporters and devise and oversee delivery of a programme of impeccably organised and well-executed cultivation events.
• Work closely with communications and curatorial teams to ensure supporters' benefits are delivered and fundraising messaging is promoted effectively.
• Write compelling and convincing cases for support and ensure the rigour and suitability of all project ideas for stakeholder investment.
• Lead on the effective use of digital platforms and new technologies to grow philanthropic giving through The Hepworth Wakefield's website and effective employment of its new CRM system. This will include overseeing the maintenance of online fundraising information, messaging, content and functionality.
• Establish effective donor care processes for the organisation using the new CRM system, maintaining accurate, up-to-date information on all donors and prospects, including donor's crediting requirements.
• Oversee the development of relevant and effective guestlists for The Hepworth Wakefield's events. Ensure data on new and existing supporters is kept up-to-date and that processes are followed in order to comply with GDPR.
• Contribute to the organisation's financial planning. Manage the Development team's annual budgets, ensuring efficient financial monitoring and compliance. Work with the Deputy Director and Director of Finance & Operations to set ambitious yet realistic fundraising targets and provide accurate monthly income reports. Participate in the annual financial audit.
• Provide clear and consistent leadership to the Development Officer and Development Manager, helping them to achieve their personal development objectives, fundraising targets and ensure good team working.
• Work closely with the Visitor Experience and Commercial teams to ensure that fundraising is understood as a priority and that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to convert visitors into supporters.
• Adhere to fundraising best practices and ensure The Hepworth Wakefield complies with data protection laws and other relevant guidance for transparent and accountable fundraising.
• Attend events at The Hepworth Wakefield and externally to represent the gallery and build relationships with key external stakeholders.

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Proven experience gained within a fundraising or business development/account management environment, with direct contact with donors or corporate clients.
• A successful track record of securing income from corporate funders and private donors.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience of relationship cultivation and management of high-level donors and/or clients.
• A clear understanding of operating membership schemes and knowledge of all aspects of gift processing, including Gift Aid and VAT.
• Good knowledge of CRM systems, data management and how to use databases to identify, track and maximise the effectiveness of a database resource.
• Demonstrable ability to deliver well planned, high quality events.
• Leadership skills including coaching, team development, motivation, and communication.
• Awareness of the pre-eminent prevailing development agendas and opportunities facing fundraising for the visual arts and/or museums in the region and nationally.
• Financial and budget management skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills and diligent attention to detail in producing concise, persuasive and targeted recruitment material and bespoke sponsorship proposals.
• Excellent organisational, time-management and administrative skills to support the attainment of fundraising targets, and work within budget.
• A team player, able to work flexibly, constructively and creatively.
• An active interest in and knowledge of the visual arts.
• The ability to work flexible hours including some early mornings, evenings and weekends for which time off in lieu will be offered.

Interviews will take place Thursday 14 December 2023

We are committed to improving diversity within our organisation and welcome applications from candidates who are under-represented within the arts sector.

Please state in your application that you found this role through Creative Access.