Head of Development, MILTON'S COTTAGE TRUST

Guardian Jobs; Chalfont St Giles; Hybrid; GBP 35,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a dynamic Head of Development to lead fundraising efforts for a significant cultural landmark. This part-time role offers the chance to shape the future of fundraising, working closely with the Director and Trustees to develop strategies that maximize income generation. As the post-holder, you will engage with a variety of stakeholders, manage donor relationships, and ensure compliance with fundraising policies. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the sustainability of a renowned literary site, making a lasting impact in the arts and heritage sector. If you have a passion for fundraising and a commitment to cultural preservation, we want to hear from you!

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in securing significant philanthropic gifts.
• Strong communication skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a fundraising strategy for Milton’s Cottage.
• Build and manage relationships with donors and funding prospects.

Skills

Fundraising Skills

Communication Skills

Writing Skills

Organizational Skills

CRM Database Knowledge

Job description

Head of Development

Salary: £35,000 per annum pro-rata

Hours: Part-time (14 hours / week based on a 35-hour week pro-rata; flexible working schedule at postholder’s discretion)

Location: Chalfont St Giles (remote position with occasional on-site working required)

Contract: 12 months, initially

Application deadline: 4th May 2025

Overview

Milton’s Cottage is the only surviving residence of the visionary writer John Milton, and the place where he completed his epic masterpiece 'Paradise Lost'. We are seeking a dynamic fundraiser to build relationships and raise income to support our future ambitions, and ensure a sustainable legacy for this irreplaceable literary landmark.

This is a new role within Milton’s Cottage and the post-holder will work with the Director and Board of Trustees on strategic development and sustainable growth. They will oversee the development and delivery of our fundraising strategy, maximising opportunities for income generation through new and existing relationships with a range of philanthropic partners.

This is an exciting time to join Milton’s Cottage as we build on our recent growth and expand our programme of public impact projects. Working across a variety of income streams, you’ll help us achieve a step-change in our fundraising journey.

If you have demonstrable experience of income generation within a charitable setting, and are looking for a part-time opportunity to shape the fundraising future of a small but internationally significant museum, then we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the Director to develop and implement a fundraising strategy for Milton’s Cottage
• Work with the Board of Trustees - in particular the Development Trustee, Paradise Maintain’d Trustee and Fundraising & Capital Development Committee - to develop an integrated, inclusive and ethical fundraising culture at all levels
• Build on the stewardship and management of existing donor relationships to ensure they are fully engaged and informed
• Undertake research to identify new prospects and funding opportunities for Milton’s Cottage across trusts and foundations, individuals, and corporate partnerships
• Securing philanthropic gifts from new and existing donors
• Work with the Director and Treasurer to monitor annual income targets against performance
• Liaise with the Treasurer to ensure that income is properly administered, including acknowledgement, financial receipts, maximising donation values and Gift Aid
• Work with the Director to ensure evaluation requirements are integrated into funded projects
• Manage fundraising data, track prospect and donor journeys, and ensure the data that is stored is fit for purpose and GDPR compliant
• Develop and maintain fundraising policies and procedures
• Act as an advocate for Milton’s Cottage
• Other fundraising and events duties as reasonably required by the Director and Trustees
• Targets and workload will be set at a level that is proportionate to a two-day per week role, with other people available within the organisation to help execute the fundraising strategy

Essential Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Strong fundraising skills, including demonstrable experience of securing significant philanthropic gifts
• Excellent communication skills with a wide range of stakeholders, including the ability to communicate a vision and build trust
• Strong writing skills with the ability to craft a compelling and persuasive narrative
• Detailed knowledge of the current fundraising landscape and the challenges facing those raising funds within the arts, culture and heritage sectors in the UK
• Experience of raising funds from major trusts and foundations and / or statutory sources
• Experience of raising funds from individuals, including legacies, patron schemes, fundraising events and / or annual / regular giving appeals
• Ability to plan and prioritise a demanding workload and meet deadlines
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Understanding of CRM databases
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality at all times

Desirable Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Experience of fundraising for capital projects
• Experience of securing at least 5-figure gifts from philanthropic partners
• Knowledge of / interest in culture, literature and museums

Application Process

Please send a copy of your CV with an accompanying letter - outlining your interest in and suitability for this role - via the button below by 4th May 2025. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 6th May 2025 (please let us know in your application if you cannot make that date so that we can make alternative arrangements with you).

We are committed to equality and diversity within our workforce and our recruitment process is open to all. We welcome applicants from global majority backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTQ+, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds and those who identify as disabled, as these groups are currently underrepresented in the cultural sector more widely.

If you would like to arrange an informal conversation about the role, or discuss alternative methods of applying in order to meet your access requirements, please contact Kelly O’Reilly on [e-mail] / 01494 872313.