You’ll lead on small to mid-level trust and foundation prospecting and bid-writing, as well as overseeing and supporting corporate business development in the local community and further afield. You will work across the organisation to help identify opportunities for funding, build relationships with funders, and achieve related targets. You’ll also be responsible for reporting back to trusts and foundations and building lasting relationships with all the people and organisations we work with. If you’re highly organised and excited by the buzz of live performance, learning and engagement activities in the local community, and heritage, this is your chance to be part of something truly special. Individual Giving

Lead on the management and development of our membership and supporter schemes, with support from the Head of Development, including:

Creating prospect pipelines Leading on campaigns and identifying opportunities to grow membership Creating and leading cultivation events throughout the year Leading on higher-level membership communications Creating communications for lower-level membership, in collaboration with the Marketing & Communications team Creating, implementing and managing admin processes for recruiting and managing the membership scheme

Create and lead targeted campaigns to increase individual donations and giving across social media and through our digital channels. Identify relevant opportunities across the year to boost our profile and ask people to give
Initiate and monitor onsite giving opportunities
Working with the Head of Development, assist with the prospecting and cultivation of major donors, particularly in light of a possible impending capital campaign, requiring significant gifts to be raised from Individuals and other ways
Work with the Head of Development, Head of Marketing and Communications and Box Office to ensure BOH’s database and CRM are utilised to their full potential
Assist the Head of Development to continue to build the Development CRM (launched Sep 2025)
Use industry and BOH data to gain insight and inform decision-making
Create and implement a consistent stewardship plan based on a relationship management approach to ensure good stewardship of all our relationships

Trusts and Foundations

Lead on maintaining the Trusts and Foundations pipeline in liaison with the department
Research and identify new Trusts and Foundations opportunities, with assistance from the wider Development department
Lead on the writing of small and medium Trust and Foundation applications, working across the organisation to help to identify opportunities for funding, create compelling cases for support, build relationships and write and submit persuasive funding bids
Lead on grant reporting and monitoring including managing all grants received, working with other departments to ensure timely and accurate reporting against grant requirements on funded projects and excellent stewardship of current and prospect funders

Key Responsibilities Corporate

Ensure all Corporates are effectively stewarded, supported by the Development Officer (leading on all lower-level opportunities) and the Head of Development
Support the Development Officer to manage and update the Corporate pipeline and prospect research

Leadership

Deputise for the Head of Development when appropriate
Contribute to ongoing review and implementation of the Development strategy
Keep informed of current best practice and legislation in fundraising
Support the Head of Development to embed a culture of giving across the organisation

General

Be an ambassador and advocate for Buxton Opera House and promote the company values and behaviours both internally and externally
Act in a manner that enhances the work of the organisation and its overall public image
Provide formal and informal training at the request of your line manager, on your areas of expertise, to other members of staff, work experience students, trustees etc.
Ensure BOH’s CRM system is kept up to date at all times with all Development activities, particularly regarding Opportunities and Communications with funders
Maintain confidentiality at all times and ensure proper observance of and adherence to BOH policies and procedures
Contribute to the overall aims of Buxton Opera House, taking initiative to establish constructive relationships with other organisations in liaison with your line manager
Collaborate with other departments across BOH
Uphold the principles of, and adhere to, company policy and procedures relating to General Data Protection Regulations and ensure that all data is dealt with in accordance with current legislation
Champion our brand internally and externally; support with ensuring organisational outputs adhere to branding and style guide
Comply with and uphold the principles of relevant legislation and company policies and procedures
Undertake any additional duties as may be required at the discretion of the Head of Department

Essential: Experience

Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a fundraising role, ideally in the charity sector. This could include growing membership schemes, individual giving schemes, demonstrable experience of applying to Trusts and Foundations or growing business to customer income
Proven experience of building meaningful relationships with stakeholders and funders
Experience of meeting fundraising and relevant business-related targets
Experience of working with a CRM system

Skills and Knowledge

Ability to build and maintain relationships
Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
An entrepreneurial attitude with the ability to generate revenue schemes that maximise income and impact
Ability to create and communicate a compelling case for support and a compelling ask
Ability to use and work with own initiative and be a ‘self-starter’
Strong planning and organisational skills
Computer literacy (specifically MS office and CRMs)
Ability to analyse trends and interpret data
Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Education, Training and Qualifications

Educated to A Level standard (or equivalent experience)

Personal Attributes

Proven ability to work to a high standard with attention to detail and under own initiative
Creative, energetic, problem solver
A collaborative approach and the ability to develop good working relationships
Ability to work on multiple projects with conflicting deadlines
Enthusiasm for theatre and the arts
Flexible approach to working, including working some unsociable hours including evenings and weekends
Good team player

Desirable: Experience

Experience of working in the arts, heritage or cultural/creative industries

Skills and Knowledge

Knowledge and understanding of donation management, administration and Gift Aid, including working knowledge of the Data Protection Act 2018 requirements around Fundraising

The postholder will work across the organisation, including but not limited to Buxton Opera House, Pavilion Arts Centre, the Trust’s offices at No. 5 The Square, and off site venues. All staff are expected to work flexibly in line with their role and the charity’s objectives. The Development Manager may be required to work weekends and evenings from time to time for which pre-agreed time off can be taken in lieu. Please note this job description may be updated to reflect future business needs. Contract: Full time, permanent (37.5 hrs per week) Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum Probation period: 6 months Pension: Auto enrolment Holidays : 25 days plus 8 days bank holiday per annum Preferred start date: Monday 5 October 2026 We’d love to hear from you! To apply, please send your CV, along with a covering letter detailing:

Why you’re interested in this role
The key skills and experience you would bring to the position

Email your application to tworrall-hill@boh.org.uk Deadline for Applications: Sun 16 Aug, 11.59pm If you would like to find out more about the role before applying, please contact Tara Worrall-Hill, Head of Development, on tworrall-hill@boh.org.uk for an informal conversation. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. You may not meet every criterion listed, and that’s okay. If you have some relevant experience and a motivation to learn and grow, we encourage you to apply. Thank you for your interest. We look forward to receiving your application!