Development Manager (Waterfront Transformation Project), National Museums Liverpool

Art in Liverpool; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

National Museums Liverpool is recruiting a Development Manager to lead fundraising for the Waterfront Transformation Project. Based in Liverpool, this hybrid role works with the Head of Development to deliver a capital campaigns strategy and secure major gifts.

You will manage donor pipelines, arrange meetings with prospective donors, and provide reporting, forecasting and planning to ensure income targets are met over an 18-month fixed term.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of securing significant gifts.
• Experience managing donor pipelines and meeting targets.
• Comfortable engaging senior stakeholders and presenting funding cases.

Responsibilities

• Secure significant gifts and manage a high-value donor portfolio.
• Initiate approaches, secure meetings with prospective donors and partners.
• Monitor fundraising activity and report income forecasting and decisions.
• Present compelling cases for support to funders in writing and in person.

Job description

Development Manager (Waterfront Transformation Project), National Museums Liverpool

May 23, 2026

Location:Liverpool (Hybrid)

Salary:£41,825 per annum (Pay award pending)

Contract Type:Fixed term for up to 18 months

Position Type:Full Time

Closing Date:Thursday 11 June 2026 at 12:00 noon

The Vacancy

Our peopleare at the heartof National Museums Liverpool.Colleaguesfrom across the organisation make a difference everyday,creating memorable experiences for everyone and challenging expectations.We pride ourselves on being a place for everyone, butwe are always aiming higher, aspiring to be representativeof the communities we serve. Through our people, we are building a culture which embeds trust, respect and inclusionand an organisationin which people areengaged and empowered to enable National Museums Liverpool to evolve. You could be just the right person to join us.

We currently have the post of Development Manager (Waterfront Transformation Project) available.

National Museums Liverpool is delivering one of the most significant heritage-led regeneration projects in the UK, and we are seeking an exceptional fundraiser to play a pivotal role in realising our ambitious vision.

The Waterfront Transformation Project is our most important transformation in over a decade, representing more than £100 million of investment into the redevelopment of the International Slavery Museum, Maritime Museum, and Canning Quaysides and Dry Docks.

Liverpool’s waterfront has always been a place of movement, exchange and connection – a meeting point of people, stories and ideas. Our vision is to create an immersive and seamless journey that stirs curiosity, empathy and pride, where the International Slavery Museum, the Maritime Museum, and Canning Quaysides and Dry Docks become living, breathing spaces that invite reflection, dialogue and discovery.

This project has received significant support from a range of funders, including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and The Wolfson Foundation. With strong confidence in the project’s funding profile, we are preparing to launch the public phase of the campaign, deepen engagement with major donors, and increase its profile at local, national and international levels.

The Development Manager will play a central role in supporting the Head of Development (Capital Campaigns) to deliver the fundraising strategy for the Waterfront Transformation Project.

The successful candidate will be a proactive, results-driven fundraiser with a demonstrable track record of securing significant gifts, developing and managing high-quality prospect pipelines effectively, and consistently meeting or exceeding income targets. You will be confident initiating approaches, securing meetings with 4 prospective donors and partners, and maintaining momentum across a busy portfolio of opportunities.

You will bring energy, resilience and strong personal accountability, driving activity forward at pace. You will maintain regular engagement with donors, confidently engage high-value individuals, and build strong relationships that inspire long-term support for the project.

We are looking for an exceptional communicator who can champion the project, working confidently with senior stakeholders and presenting a compelling case for support to funders, both in writing and in person.

You will also demonstrate strong organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to effectively monitor and report on fundraising activity, manage complex donor pipelines, and use insight and data to support income reporting, forecasting and decision-making.

We are seeking individuals with a track record in major gifts, capital campaigns, philanthropy or strategic fundraising. You will be comfortable operating at a strategic level, building relationships with philanthropists, trusts and foundations, corporate partners and public sector stakeholders. You will bring experience of developing compelling funding propositions and stewardship strategies, alongside strong project management, reporting and communication skills.

Recruitment Insight Event

Want to learn more about working with National Museums Liverpool? Join us on Tuesday 09June2026from 5:00pm – 6:00pm for our online Recruitment Insight event.

You’ll hear about our organisation, the work of our teams, as well as find out more about the job opportunities currently being advertised. You’ll also meet some of the staff recruiting and get the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Additional Information

Disclosure and Barring Service Checks (DBS)

National Museums Liverpool carriesout checks, at a level appropriate for each role, as part of our recruitment process. Checks are completedthrough the Disclosure and Barring Service, following a successful interview and conditional offer. Details of these checksarerestricted to the People Team and not shared with recruiting managers.

National Museums Liverpoolare not currently a sponsor organisation for those applying from outside of the UK. This means that we will be unable to sponsorapplications for a work visas from those who live outside of the UK and do not currently hold the right to work.