Senior Development Manager

ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A national museum of arms and armour is seeking a Senior Development Manager for maternity cover, based in Leeds. This role focuses on maximizing income through fundraising strategies and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate should have excellent communication skills, organizational abilities, and experience in managing a team. This full-time contract includes benefits like generous holidays, pension contribution, and access to learning resources.

Benefits

27.5 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Generous company sick pay scheme

Access to free on-line learning

10% off food in on-site café

Qualifications

• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Experience in building relationships with supporters.
• Self-motivated and highly organized.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement fundraising plans to maximise income.
• Engage with stakeholders across the organization.
• Provide line management to two members of the Development team.

Skills

Fundraising strategies

Stakeholder engagement

Team management

Effective communication

Job description

Overview

JOB TITLE: Senior Development Manager (Maternity cover) – £39,588 p/a

The Royal Armouries is the United Kingdom’s national museum of arms and armour and one of the most important collections of its type in the world, housed at its headquarters and flagship museum in Leeds, its historic home at the Tower of London, and the Victorian Fort Nelson in Hampshire.

The Royal Armouries is now seeking an enthusiastic and creative fundraising professional as maternity cover for the Senior Development Manager to play a key role in maximising income predominantly through corporate, individual and visitor giving.

At an exciting time in the Armouries history you will have the opportunity to shape fundraising plans, and to use your experience and expertise to develop fundraising initiatives and campaigns that support the museum including the Armouries 700 Masterplan.

The successful candidate must be able to work flexibly, be highly organised and self-motivated with a proven ability to work to tight deadlines. You will be an effective and professional communicator, able to engage with stakeholders and build relationships at all levels across the organisation.

You will be a persuasive and influential communicator who likes building and deepening relationships with supporters and providing supportive line management to two members of the Development team.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement fundraising plans and campaigns to maximise income from corporate, individual and visitor giving.
• Shape and contribute to fundraising strategies to support the Armouries and the Armouries 700 Masterplan.
• Engage with stakeholders and build relationships at all levels across the organisation.
• Provide line management to two members of the Development team.

Hours, location and travel

Hours: This is a full-time fixed-term maternity cover contract, 36 hours per week, 5 days out of 7. Weekend, Bank Holiday and evening work will occasionally be required, as will some travel.

The role will be predominantly based in the Leeds office with occasional coverage at other RA sites, and some hybrid working may be available.

Benefits

• Access to the discounted bicycles via Bike2Work scheme
• Access to free EAP services via the (Employee Assistance Program)
• 27.5 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Generous company sick pay scheme
• Generous family friendly leave
• Access to discounted staff car parking
• 25% off staff shop
• 10% off food in on-site café (generous discounts on set meals, and reduce cost hot drinks)
• Pension scheme max employer contribution is 9%
• Access to free on-line learning
• Season ticket loan
• M-Card

A Police Check/ Disclosure will be requested in the event of a successful application. Please refer to the job description for the level of check required. A criminal record would not necessarily be a bar to employment.

Please note that all job offers are subject to the receipt of satisfactory references, DBS/Police checks and right to work documentation.

How to apply

To apply please visit our website via the button below. Please note you will need to download an application form as directed and upload it via our recruitment system in the space provided. We cannot accept CVs in place of an application form.

Closing date: 5pm Thursday 9 October 2025

Interview dates: Friday 17 October 2025

If you do not hear from us 14 days after the closing date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful.