Development Manager

Summary

At Hampstead Theatre, we create entertaining, thought provoking and original theatre, working with the best creative talent. The Development Manager plays a vital role within the Development team by both supporting and leading activity to help Hampstead Theatre reach its ambitious fundraising target (£1.5m this year).

More Details

The successful candidate will have a genuine passion for bold, ambitious, original theatre, experience of managing large-scale fundraising events and previous experience working in fundraising for a producing theatre or in an arts environment.

At this critical juncture in Hampstead’s history, this is the perfect opportunity for a talented, well organized and enthusiastic individual with fundraising experience to help take Hampstead to the next level.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Friends and Friends Plus Schemes 

  • Managing the Friends and Friends Plus Schemes, including renewals and thank yous, and monitoring current and lapsed members.
  • Recruiting new Friends and Friends Plus Schemes including desk research and making approaches.
  • Reviewing and acting on opportunities for upgrades amongst Friends and Friends Plus Schemes.
  • Creating the Supporters’ e-newsletter, including generating exclusive content.
  • Running Supporters’ Breakfasts, including guest-list management and close liaison with the Marketing team.

 Corporate relationships

  • Pro-actively stewarding relationships with current Corporate members and researching and developing new relationships.
  • Liaising with Board and Development Committee to initiate new corporate relationships.
  • Initiating and managing corporate events.

Events

  • Working closely with the Development Director, managing the Theatre’s annual fundraising gala.

This includes:

– leading on the guest-lists, invitations and payments

– managing the online Auction

– working with the operational teams to ensure best delivery on the night of catering, entertainment and venue management

– securing sponsorship and donations

– making approaches for Auction prizes.

  • Attending and supporting the management of Patrons’ Evenings
  • Managing the Friends Plus Scheme matinee events.
  • Soliciting and arranging private events around productions for individual donors.

Board and Development Committee 

  • Running the administration of regular Development Committee meetings.
  • Liaising with Board Trustees regarding prospect introductions, events and donations.

Patrons Scheme

  • Assisting with Patrons’ ticket bookings.
  • Participating in Patrons’ Evenings and Press Nights, and attending Development events where required.
  • Alongside the Development Director, the Development Committee and the Board, ensuring that the New Patrons target is met by pro-actively seeking new supporters. This will involve researching and networking and making the ask.

General

  • Carrying out administrative and financial work, including keeping income and expenditure records, and making regular income projections.
  • Helping to draw-up guest lists for Press Nights and other theatre-led cultivation events and organising briefing notes for key theatre staff and Board Members.

The following responsibilities apply to all Hampstead Theatre staff:

  • Participating actively in the life of the theatre.
  • Complying with Hampstead Theatre’s Diversity, Health & Safety, Environmental Sustainability, GDPR and other policies at all times.
  • Carrying out administrative work generated by the above activities.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

  • Previous experience working in Development in a producing theatre or arts organisation
  • Experience of managing large-scale fundraising events
  • A genuine passion for bold, ambitious, original theatre
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent administrative, IT and Excel budget management skills
  • Experience of using a CRM system
  • Ability to manage own workload
  • Highly accurate, well-organised and with consistent time management skills
  • Proactive can-do attitude, high energy and the desire to work within a team
  • Target focused
  • Approachable demeanour and ability to communicate and advocate the work of the theatre
  • Tactful, diplomatic and able to maintain confidentiality for sensitive information
  • Available for evening and weekend events
  • Experience of first-line budget and expenditure management

Desirable

  • Experience of working with Tessitura
  • Experience of ‘making the ask’

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Salary: c. £38,000 p.a depending on experience.

Hours: This is a full-time position.  A normal working week is Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm but, due to the nature of the job, evening and weekend work plus working additional hours will be required in order to fulfil the functions of the role.

Holiday: Generous holiday allowance of 25 days plus Public Holidays.

Notice: One week during three-month probationary period, eight weeks after probation is passed.

Other benefits:

  • Interest-free season-ticket travel loans.
  • Complimentary tickets for performances.
  • After 13 weeks’ service, you will be automatically enrolled in our NOW: Pensions scheme which includes an employer’s contribution of 3% on qualifying earnings (where the employee also contributes at least 5% on qualifying earnings).
  • Enhanced maternity leave, paternity leave and sick pay.
  • Stress counselling helpline.
  • 10% discount at Hampstead Theatre’s Café Bar.

For further information, including how to apply, please download the job pack from our website via the link.

Organisation

Hampstead Theatre

Location Type

Specific location

Salary Type

Salaried

Salary (Exact)

£c. £38,000 depending on experience

Closing Date

12/05/2025

Contract Type

Permanent

Job Type

Administrative, Box Office, Front of House & Hospitality, Business Development & Partnerships