Garsington Opera

Arts Council England; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Garsington Opera is seeking an ambitious early-career fundraiser to join the Development & Audiences team as Development Officer. The role focuses on stewarding individual donors and assisting with applications and reports for trusts and foundations.

The successful candidate will work with the Director of Development & Audiences and the Development Manager in a collaborative, hands-on environment, taking ownership of key tasks within GO Participate and GO Pathways programmes.

Qualifications

• Excellent relationship management with donors and trustees.
• Strong IT skills with MS Office and familiarity with CRM systems.
• Excellent literacy and numeracy with well-developed writing skills.
• Experience in prospecting, fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Experience of clear and persuasive applications or reports.
• Experience of working under pressure within a focused, target-driven environment.
• Proactive and creative approach to moving things on.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Full UK driver's licence and own car.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Development & Audiences and the Development Manager in donor stewardship.
• Assist in preparation of applications and reports for trusts and foundations.
• Join the team in implementing communication, cultivation and stewardship plans to support fundraising strategies.

Skills

Relationship management

Writing skills

MS Office

Donor stewardship

Work under pressure

Evenings/weekends

Driver's licence

Flexibility

Tools

CRM systems

Tessitura

Job description

Thu, 01 Oct 2026">published - Thu, 01 Oct 2026

Job Summary

Garsington Opera is seeking an ambitious early-career arts fundraiser to join our successful Development & Audiences team as Development Officer.

Job Description

Garsington Opera is looking for an enthusiastic and collaborative early-career fundraiser to join our Development & Audiences team as Development Officer. The Development Officer will play a key role in supporting the Director of Development & Audiences and the Development Manager in the stewardship of our individual donors and will also play a vital part in the preparation of applications and reports for trusts and foundations with a focus on our GO Participate and wider GO Pathways programmes. The successful applicant will join a team with a strong track-record in successful fundraising, and the role offers excellent hands-on experience in many different areas with the opportunity to take ownership of key tasks in a supportive environment. The Development Officer reports to the Development Manager but will work closely with colleagues across the organisation to implement effective communication, cultivation and stewardship plans to support our fundraising strategies.

Job Requirements

Essential
Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to build positive relationships and work collaboratively at all levels including with colleagues, donors and trustees
Strong IT skills with an emphasis on Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and a familiarity with the principles of CRM systems
Excellent literacy and numeracy with well-developed writing skills Demonstrable ability in taking a systematic and process-driven approach to prospecting, fundraising and donor stewardship
Experience in clear and persuasive application or report writing
Experience of working under pressure within a focused, target-driven environment
Able to demonstrate a proactive and creative approach to "moving things on" independently
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required
Full UK driver's licence and own car
Desirable
Experience of Tessitura or equivalent database
Interest in the arts and heritage sector

Job Responsibilities

For the full list of job responsibilities please see the full job pack: https://garsington-opera-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2026/09/Development-Officer-Job-Description-2026-5.pdf