Head of Development

Could you be the driving force to elevate and accelerate fundraising, as the first ever Head of Development for one of the most beautifully situated theatres in the world?

The Theatre's vision is to produce work that enriches the lives of everyone in Cumbria, and see theatre made in Cumbria celebrated on the national stage. It's a truly unique place to work, from a stunning location overlooking Derwentwater in the heart of the Lake District.

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000
Location: Hybrid, between home and Keswick
Hours: Permanent, full-time (40 hours) or reduced hours / part time considered
Benefits: 23 days holiday (+bank), 5% employer pension contribution, enhanced maternity and paternity pay
Culture: Flexible, both life and family-friendly.

From its origins and rich history, the Theatre was willed into existence by the local community. 25 years later the Theatre continues to consolidate its role as a vital community asset, embarking on a new strategic direction which places emphasis on social value and an inherent connection to place.

About the role
This is a new, pivotal role in the organisation, working closely with the Executive Director and Senior Management colleagues, to develop, embed, and drive forward a strategic approach to fundraising.

You'll lead a significant step-change in the charity's approach to philanthropy - articulating a compelling Case for Support, and using the Theatre's 25th Anniversary Year () to implement a new fundraising strategy.

With broad scope and potential to increase impact across all fundraising income streams (Individuals, Corporates, and Trusts & Foundations), this could be a fantastic opportunity to widen your portfolio and take on strategic responsibility.

This is the organisation's first leadership-level fundraising role. You'll be supported by a passionate team of colleagues from across the organisation, plus dedicated volunteers. There's real opportunity to grow income and potentially a fundraising team in the future.

About you
We certainly don't expect you to come with working experience across all income streams - actually, this could be a perfect chance to add more strings to your bow.

We'd love to see you showcasing the following skills, experiences and behaviours:

Proven track-record of engaging with high-value supporters (specifically philanthropists of corporate partners).
Agility to work both strategically and operationally.
Capability to craft a compelling case for support.
Persuasive communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to work on multiple priorities with good instinct for where time is best spent.
Solutions-focused team player who brings out the best in people around them.

It's not essential to have worked in the arts before, but you do need to feel passionately about the power of art and theatre to change lives. You'll need to be able to connect the dots between theatre, community and a sense of place, and confidently articulate the value and impact the Theatre has on local people's lives.

If you're as excited by this opportunity as we are, then what are you waiting for?

Please send a copy of your profile or CV to Amelia Lee at Charity People as the first step.

Deadline: Only because this role has been previously advertised, we will be meeting candidates on a rolling basis.

If this disadvantages you in any way at all, please let Amelia know and she'll do her best to make sure that you don't miss out.

Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender or gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities we work with.