Development Manager

The Roses Theatre; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job share applications welcomed

Supportive and collaborative working环境

Professional development and training

Opportunity to lead fundraising growth

Job summary

The Roses Theatre is seeking a senior development professional to grow philanthropic income and lead donor engagement. Reporting to the CEO and Head of Marketing & Development, you will shape a sustainable fundraising strategy across individual giving, patrons, trusts and corporate sponsorship.

You will build compelling cases for support, manage key donor relationships, and work with trustees to broaden partnerships for a vibrant arts charity fundraising program.

Qualifications

• Fundraising experience within the arts, culture, charity or not-for-profit sector.
• You should demonstrate significant hands-on experience in at least one area: individual giving, corporate sponsorship, trusts and foundations, or supporter events.
• Ability to build and manage professional relationships with external stakeholders.
• Experience using CRM systems; Spektrix is an advantage.
• Strong written communication for persuasive proposals and reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow individual giving and patron programmes with donor journeys.
• Develop and steward patrons and donors, expanding pool and lifetime value.
• Research and cultivate sponsorships and partnerships with the marketing team.
• Oversee trusts and foundations prospecting, applications and reporting.
• Engage donors through performances, campaigns and events with colleagues.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

CRM systems

Spektrix

Proposal writing

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Event coordination

Tools

Spektrix

CRM software

Job description

The Roses Theatre is a vibrant cultural venue presenting world-class musicians, leading comedians from across Britain, and a diverse, cutting-edge film programme. In addition to performances, the theatre offers an extensive range of events and activities for audiences and the local community. The Roses Theatre is committed to engaging, inspiring, and entertaining a wide range of audiences through high-quality artistic and community-focused programming.

Hours: 4–5 days per week (0.8–1.0 FTE)

Reports to: Head of Marketing

Location: The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury (hybrid and flexible working available)

Contract: Permanent (subject to funding)

Job Share: Applications for job share arrangements are welcome.

About the Role

A key income-generation role responsible for growing The Roses' philanthropic and contributed income. Working closely with the CEO and 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. This is a genuine growth opportunity: ideal for a fundraiser ready to step into a broad, senior-facing role, with direct exposure to trusts and grant‑making alongside the CEO.

Perhaps you've been in a Development Officer role at a medium or large charity and are looking to take on more responsibility. Or perhaps you have strong experience in one area of fundraising and are looking to grow your experience across others — either route could be a great fit for this role.

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 sponsorship, partnership and philanthropic 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.
• Contribute to the Development Strategy alongside the CEO, Head of Marketing & Development and trustees, identifying new fundraising opportunities.
• Monitor performance against targets, report regularly to senior management, and maintain accurate records and pipelines.

Donor Engagement

• Lead donor recruitment, stewardship and engagement around performances, campaigns and events, working with the Marketing & Events Officer on cultivation events.
• Develop deeper supporter engagement opportunities and support campaigns to attract new donors and strengthen existing relationships.
• Work with marketing to ensure strong donor recognition, and collaborate on print materials and impact reporting.

Person Specification

• Fundraising, business development, account management, sales, sponsorship or relationship management, including working towards income, sales or partnership targets.
• Building and maintaining professional relationships with external stakeholders.
• Managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Knowledge of using CRM systems (Spektrix an advantage).
• 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.
• 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.

What We Offer

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Job share applications welcomed.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• The chance to play a leading role in securing the future growth and impact of a well‑loved regional arts charity.

The Roses is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds and communities.