Trusts and Grants Manager

Barbican; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Barbican is seeking a proactive Trusts & Grants fundraiser to join the Development team in London. You will manage mid to large funded opportunities, cultivate donor relationships, and contribute to major proposals that sustain its artistic and community programmes.

Working with the Senior Trusts & Grants Manager, you will identify prospects, oversee reporting, and help plan targeted cultivation events to secure six-figure grants and support Barbican’s Renewal programme ahead of its 50th

Responsibilities

• Delivery of fundraising strategy and independently managing mid to large sized funding opportunities from Embassies, Cultural Institutions, Trusts and Liveries.
• Contribute to and support the overall strategy for Trusts and Grants fundraising, including major capital proposals.
• Identify prospects and develop a pipeline of donors, implementing cultivation and solicitation plans.
• Lead on stewardship and relationship building with mid to large sized grantmakers alongside the Senior Trusts and Grants Manager.
• Ensure a high-quality experience for funders visiting Barbican, including meetings, invitations to performances, and cultivation events.
• Proactively connect with potential grant makers to discuss Barbican priorities and funding needs.
• Manage reporting schedules for existing grants with the Development Writer & Research Officer to deliver reports on time.
• Write compelling text and clear budgets for projects across arts and learning programmes.
• Identify and assess new funders and move them forward with colleagues.
• Lead on planning key cultivation events for Trusts and Grantmakers within the Centre.
• Support senior team in developing major (six-figure +) grant applications.

Job description

The Barbican is an arts, learning, and conference centre in the heart of the City of London.

We’re passionate about showcasing the most exciting art from around the world, pushing traditional artistic boundaries and helping us understand our lives in new and unexpected ways. Each year we present thousands of different performances, events and exhibitions that entertain and inspire millions of people, create connections, provoke debate, and reflect the world we live in.

About the Role

The Development department is responsible for generating income from a range of sources including donations, grants, patronage, sponsorship and corporate memberships. This funding supports the Barbican’ inspiring programme of artistic events, learning activities and community work.

The team works closely with colleagues across the Centre, partner organisations, the Board and Trustees to maximise income and strengthen support for our arts and learning programmes. This is a pivotal and exciting time for the Barbican as we enter a period of Renewal as we approach our 50th anniversary in 2032 – shaping the future of our programme and our place through a major capital programme.

The Development department will play a key role in realising this vision, working closely with the CEO and Executive Leadership to develop relationships and support for the new initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Senior Trusts & Grants Manager on the delivery of the fundraising strategy, independently managing your own mid to large sized funding opportunities from Embassies, Cultural Institutions, Trusts and Liveries.


• Contribute to and support the overall strategy for Trusts and Grants fundraising, including supporting on major capital proposals.


• Take responsibility for identifying prospects and developing a pipeline of donors– implementing cultivation and solicitation plans effectively.


• Lead on stewardship and relationship building of mid to large sized grant giving organisations alongside the Senior Trusts and Grants Manager.


• Ensure a high-quality experience for any existing or potential funders visiting the Barbican – including direct meetings, invitations to performances, and larger bespoke cultivation events geared towards sharing our programmes with potential donors.


• Proactively connect with potential grant makers, both over the phone and in person, to discuss Barbican priorities and funding needs.


• Manage the reporting schedule for existing grants, working with the Development Writer & Research Officer to draft and deliver reports and ensure on-going communications are timely and effective.


• Write compelling text and clear budgets on a range of projects across the arts and learning programme.


• Identify and assess new potential funders and work with colleagues to move them forward.


• Take a lead on identifying and planning key cultivation events for Trusts and Grantmakers within the Centre.


• Support senior team members in developing major (six-figure +) grant applications.

Deadline for applications is23:55onMonday 16 November 2026.

Early Advert Closure Notice

Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early if a significant number of applications are reached. We'll update the advert with 24 hours' notice if that happens. We are unable to accept late applications. We regret that we are unable to provide feedback on your application.

Equal Opportunity

The City of London Corporation want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the work that we do. The City of London Corporation is currently undergoing a programme ensure that our pay and reward practices are competitive and equitable across the whole organisation – and is committed to regularly benchmarking and reviewing pay against external sectors.

As part of our commitment to increasing the diversity of staff within the Barbican we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from groups that are currently underrepresented, including people from the Global Majority* and D/deaf and disabled people. We want to better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve.

Disability Confident Scheme (DCS)

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to an inclusive recruitment process. Disabled applicants who wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme and who meet the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview. In the event of a high volume of applications, we may limit the number of interviews offered. Please contact us if you require reasonable adjustments as part of the application process.

The City of London Corporation want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the work that we do. The City of London Corporation is currently undergoing a programme ensure that our pay and reward practices are competitive and equitable across the whole organisation – and is committed to regularly benchmarking and reviewing pay against external sectors.

*Global Majority is a collective term that refers to people who are Black, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or, have been racialised as 'ethnic minorities'.