Head of Fundraising & Communications

Jersey Opera House; Hilton Head Island (SC); On-site; USD 72,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

Jersey Opera House is seeking a dynamic Head of Fundraising and Communications to lead the fundraising and development function. This senior management role drives donor engagement, growth of income, and audience development in collaboration with the Communications Manager.

This role manages a portfolio of donors, trusts, and memberships, and oversees communications and marketing across channels, ensuring alignment with the theatre’s artistic and financial goals.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in fundraising, communications and marketing is required.
• Proven track record of achieving fundraising targets and delivering campaigns.
• Strong leadership, collaboration and relationship-building skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual fundraising plans and budgets.
• Lead donor engagement, major gifts, trusts and foundation funding.
• Oversee communications strategy, branding, digital marketing and PR activity.
• Support board and leadership to advance fundraising initiatives.

Skills

Fundraising

Communications

Marketing leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder relations

Team leadership

Public speaking

Strategic planning

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

About Us » Careers

Head of Fundraising & Communications

Job Title: Head of Fundraising & Communications

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Responsible For: Communications Manager, Fundraising Officer, Administration support (p/t)

Key Relationships: Box Office Supervisor, Data & Communications Officer, Head of Creative Programmes, Head of Customer Experience, Head of Finance & IT

Hours: 37.5 hours

Salary: circa £60,000

Job Purpose

Jersey Opera House is seeking to recruit a dynamic Head of Fundraising and Communications, who can develop the theatre’s profile, drive donor engagement and develop audiences, in collaboration with the Communications Manager, transforming engagement into meaningful support. This is a senior management role, leading the Fundraising and Development department. It is responsible for building profile and engagement and achieving ambitious annual fundraising and audience targets and objectives that support the theatre's artistic vision, financial sustainability and public profile.

This role is responsible for a portfolio of donors, prospects, majors gifts, regular giving, Members, trusts and foundations and legacies, increasing earned income, deepening audience and donor engagement, and strengthening the theatre's reputation as a leading presenting venue.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Development

• Prepare annual plans and budgets, which ensure the retention and development of fundraising streams
• Develop and deliver a comprehensive long-term fundraising strategy from a diverse range of sources and aligned with organisational goals
• Identify, cultivate and secure income from:
  • Trusts and foundations
  • Corporate sponsorships and partnerships
  • Individual giving (Memberships, patrons, major donors)
  • Legacies
• Identify opportunities from trusts and foundations and lead on writing compelling funding applications and proposals
• Steward existing funders and build long-term relationships with individual donors and high net worth individuals
• Oversee and build our Membership scheme
• Work with senior leadership and board members to support fundraising initiatives
• Ensure compliance with fundraising regulations and best practice

Communications & Marketing

• Oversee an integrated communications and marketing strategy to drive ticket sales and audience growth
• Oversee campaign planning for all visiting shows, ensuring strong collaboration with visiting producers
• Manage brand positioning, tone of voice, and visual identity across all channels
• Lead on digital strategy including website, email marketing, and social media
• Oversee press and PR activity, including media relationships and crisis communications
• Monitor and analyse campaign performance, using data to inform future strategies
• Ensure communications effectively engage audiences, supporters, artists, partners and stakeholders

Partnership and Stakeholder engagement

• Act as a key external ambassador for the theatre
• Build relationships with local businesses, community organisations, cultural partners and civic stakeholders
• Liaise with the Government of Jersey, cultural partners, and community organisations
• Support board engagement in communications and fundraising activity
• Represent Jersey Opera House at networking events, conferences and sector meetings

Staff Management & Scheduling

• Manage the team of permanent and casual staff.
• Through the appraisal process:
  • agree objectives and performance measures for each staff member
  • review performance and give clear feedback
  • identify and agree training and development needs
• Keep abreast of, and work in accordance with, current industry agreements and to observe Employment Law

Financial Management

• Oversee communication and marketing budgets (prepared by the Communications Manager) and monitor these on a regular basis to ensure that budgets are maintained at all times
• Prepare fundraising budgets and monitor these on a regular basis to ensure that budgets are maintained at all times
• Liaise with the Head of Finance to ensure accurate reporting and annual forecasting
• Prepare reports for CEO, the board and funders

General

• Always act in the best interests of Jersey Opera House
• Take positive action to promote Equal Opportunities in all aspects of the work of Jersey Opera House
• Agree to abide by Jersey Opera House policies such as Health and Safety, Safeguarding etc
• Maintain confidentiality in all areas relating to Jersey Opera House
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• Experience: significant experience in fundraising, communications and marketing with proven results
• Knowledge: proven track record of achieving successful fundraising targets and delivering effective marketing campaigns
• Leadership: strong management and team leadership skills with the ability to motivate, inspire and give feedback
• Relationships: excellent interpersonal skills, with proven ability to build trust-based relationships internally and externally
• Communications: excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Finance: experience managing budgets and meeting financial targets

Desirable Experience

• Experience: within the arts, culture or charity sector; using CRM and/or fundraising systems
• Knowledge: experience of the public funding environment; understanding of digital marketing analytics

Key Competencies

• Excellent social skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Creative
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Leadership skills
• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Working independently
• Multi-tasking
• Communication skills
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Customer/client Focus
• Adaptability and flexibility