Trusts and Grants Manager

City of London Corporation; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Barbican Membership

LGPS pension scheme

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Staff discounts at Barbican outlets

Reciprocal entry to galleries and musu

Volunteer days (up to 2)

Job summary

The Barbican, operated by the City of London Corporation, is seeking a Trusts & Grants Manager to develop and deliver a strategic fundraising programme. You will cultivate relationships with embassies, cultural institutions, trusts and Liveries, drafting persuasive proposals and detailed budgets for a range of arts and learning initiatives.

Join a dynamic Development team driving capital and programme funding, building a pipeline of prospects, and coordinating fundraising events and reports to

Qualifications

• Substantial and proven track record of raising money from trusts, foundations and other grant makers.
• Ability to identify, secure and steward major gifts across a range of projects.
• Skilled at writing compelling proposals and reports, managing budgets, and meeting deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Work with Senior Trusts & Grants Manager to deliver fundraising strategy for embassies, cultural institutions, trusts and Liveries.
• Support Trusts and Grants fundraising strategy, including major capital proposals.
• Develop a pipeline of donor prospects and implement cultivation and solicitation plans.
• Lead on stewardship and relationship building of grant funders with the Senior Trusts and Grants Manager.
• Ensure high-quality experiences for funders visiting the Barbican, including meetings and bespoke events.
• Proactively connect with grant makers to discuss Barbican priorities and funding needs.
• Manage reporting schedules for existing grants with the Development Writer & Research Officer.
• Write compelling text and clear budgets for projects across arts and learning programmes.
• Identify and assess new funders and move them forward.
• Plan key cultivation events for Trusts and Grantmakers.
• Support senior team in developing major (six-figure +) grant applications.

Skills

Fundraising

Grant Writing

Donor Stewardship

Budgets & Reporting

Job description

Level of DBS required for this role: None required

Level of vetting required?: No security vetting is required

Is this a politically restricted post?: No

Does this post require a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check?: No

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required have also been included. Workplace role categories describe our approach to workplace attendance

The Barbican is a multidisciplinary international arts centre in the City of London.

Across its theatres, concert halls, cinemas, galleries, business venues, public and community spaces, the Barbican showcases the most exciting artists and performers from around the world, pushing traditional artistic boundaries and helping us understand our lives in new and unexpected ways. Each year, the Centre presents hundreds of different performances, events and exhibitions that entertain and inspire millions of people, create connections, provoke debate, and reflect the world we live in.

Firmly rooted in its neighbourhood, the Barbican collaborates on projects with local communities, and supports young people and emerging talent to develop their artistic practice and access jobs in the creative industry.

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.

About You

We are currently looking to recruit a Trusts & Grants Manager to join the team.

The successful candidate will have a substantial and proven track record of raising money from trusts, foundations and other grant makers as well as statutory funders. Their enthusiasm and passion for the arts will be matched by their ability to successfully identify, secure and steward major gifts across a range of projects and programme areas. They will be skilled at writing compelling proposals and reports, managing budgets, working to deadlines and communicating effectively with colleagues, grant makers and senior volunteers.

For more details, please see the ‘ Job Information Pack ’.

What We Offer

• Barbican Membership
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service
• Access to Barbican Centre discounts including offers at the Barbican Shop and hospitality outlets
• City Corporation staff benefits and discounts throughout the City of London, including at Tower Bridge, Guildhall Art Gallery and others
• Reciprocal entry to a number of galleries and museums across London
• Employee volunteering scheme (up to 2 days per year)
• A vibrant, creative, inclusive workplace at one of the world’s leading arts centres

Deadline for applications is 23:55 on Monday 16 November 2026 .

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.

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.