Development Manager

The Roses Theatre is a vibrant cultural venue presenting world-class musicians, leading comedians from across Britain, and a diverse, cutting-edge film programme. In addition to performances, the theatre offers an extensive range of events and activities for audiences and the local community. The Roses Theatre is committed to engaging, inspiring, and entertaining a wide range of audiences through high-quality artistic and community-focused programming.

Salary: £35,000 (depending on experience)

Hours: 5 days per week

Reports to: Head of Marketing

Location: The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury (hybrid and flexible working available)

Contract: Permanent (subject to funding)

Job Share: Applications for job share arrangements are welcome.

About the Role

A key income-generation role responsible for growing The Roses' philanthropic and contributed income. Working closely with the Head of Marketing & Development, you'll lead the cultivation, stewardship and growth of individual giving, corporate support, patron schemes and donor development — shaping and delivering a sustainable development strategy for an ambitious arts charity with deep community roots.

We're looking for someone with:

• Experience in fundraising, business development, sales, sponsorship, account management or relationship management.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive, organised and target-driven approach.
• A passion for culture, community and making things happen.

Individual Giving & Patrons

• Lead and grow individual giving and patron programmes, recruiting, retaining and stewarding donors at all levels through engaging supporter journeys.
• Manage relationships with existing patrons and donors while identifying and cultivating new prospects to grow numbers and lifetime value.
• Build compelling cases for support linked to organisational priorities.

Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorship

• Research and develop new business prospects, creating tailored proposals with the marketing team.
• Steward corporate supporters to maximise retention and value, working with colleagues and trustees to unlock high-value opportunities.

Trusts & Foundations

• Oversee the trusts and foundations identifying prospects, writing applications and manage the trusts and foundations pipeline.
• Coordinate project information, budgets and evaluation data for applications, and ensure timely funder reporting and strong grant relationships.

Development Strategy

• Contribute to the Development Strategy alongside the Head of Marketing & Deveopment, identifying new fundraising opportunities.
• Monitor performance against targets, report regularly to senior management, and maintain accurate records and pipelines.

Marketing Collaboration

• Work with marketing to ensure strong donor recognition, and collaborate on print materials and impact reporting.

Person SpecificationEssential Experience

• Proven experience managing and stewarding a patron or membership scheme, including recruitment and retention.
• Fundraising experience, particularly in individual giving.
• Building and maintaining professional relationships with external stakeholders.
• Managing multiple projects and priorities at the same time.
• Using CRM systems (experience of Spektrix is an advantage).

Essential Skills

• Strong written communication skills, including persuasive proposals and reports.
• Ability to identify opportunities and develop them into income-generating outcomes.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, managing competing deadlines independently and collaboratively.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and CRM/database systems.

Desirable Experience

• Fundraising experience within the arts, culture, charity or not-for-profit sector — ideally spanning individual giving, corporate sponsorship, trusts and foundations, or supporter events. You don’t need experience across every area covered by this role — but you should be able to demonstrate significant, hands-on experience in at least one.
• Knowledge of charity fundraising regulation and best practice.

Personal Attributes

• Enthusiastic, proactive, self-motivated and entrepreneurial in spotting opportunities.
• Values-driven, with a commitment to community engagement and inclusion.
• Professional and diplomatic, able to represent the organisation with credibility.
• Flexible and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.

We offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working.
• A supportive and collaborative team.
• The chance to play a key role in shaping the future of The Roses.

How to apply

Please email jobs@rosestheatre.org with:

• Your CV
• A covering letter explaining how your experience matches the person specification (maximum two sides of A4)
• An Inclusivity Statement outlining your commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (maximum one side of A4)