Arts and crafts jobs

We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our Development team. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about the arts and eager to build a career in fundraising.

As part of our small, dynamic and purpose-driven team, you will play a key role in helping to grow support for our work. You will bring excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and a commitment to collaborative working and high professional standards. With previous administrative experience, confidence using Microsoft Office, and a background in a customer-focused environment, you will feel at home in this varied, people-focused role.

Alongside your core responsibilities, you will help maintain our organisational database and support the coordination and delivery of a diverse programme of supporter events—ensuring that every guest enjoys an exceptional experience. (Please note that some evening and weekend work will occasionally be required.)

A key feature of this role is the comprehensive training programme built in to support your professional growth. You will receive structured development across all areas of fundraising—including trust and foundation fundraising, individual giving, stewardship, event management and data management. This is a role with real potential; you will learn, grow, and see your work make a meaningful and visible impact.

As Development Executive you will

• Manage the Spektrix CRM database
• Work alongside colleagues to deliver bespoke supporter events in Leeds and at venues across the UK
• Research and collate data to support fundraising activities
• Work with colleagues to draft funding bids and reports
• Support the smooth running of the Development department
• Be supported with an in-depth training programme to develop your skills as an arts fundraiser

We are looking for someone who

• Has administrative experience, organisational and time-management skills – able to manage multiple priorities effectively
• Has experience using or an interest in learning how to use CRM systems (ideally Spektrix) to manage data and support fundraising activities
• Is a motivated self-starter with strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to engage with Northern Ballet’s supporters
• Has a passion for arts and culture

We love celebrating our successes and building our supporter base, and we already do it really well. However, there’s always room for improvement. Our ideal candidate will be a powerful storyteller and collector of data, energised by the prospect of making an impact on the lives of children and young people. You may already be an experienced fundraiser or someone with transferable skills that’s ready to pivot. Either way you’ll be our lead Trusts and Foundations contact; researching prospects, crafting appeals, managing relationships and reporting activity. You won’t do it alone, there’s a strong Head Office team, led by our Founder/Artistic Director and Chief Executive, plus a really cracking set of assets. You’ll also inherit a great funding pipeline, strong contacts book, and an exciting plan for our 2026 30th anniversary celebrations. We already raise more than £200,000 from Trusts and Foundations each year; we believe there’s scope to secure more. So if you like a challenge, love music and live for detail, this could be the role for you.

Persuasive Advocacy
Design and deliver a successful income generation plan and targets that enables the delivery of our ambitious strategic direction, with the CEO, Artistic Director and National and Regional Choir Producers.
Ensure our overall Case for Support remains compelling and up-to-date. In particular liaise with Producers on evaluation waves and with the Marcomms function to develop creative new storytelling approaches that will bring the impact we make to life.
Lead the application process for Trusts and Foundations and some statutory and corporate organisations, working closely with colleagues across the organisation to collate all necessary information, and compile final applications with detailed budgets and supporting material.
Provide timely receipts, invitations and reports to funding partners, in order to maintain productive and positive relationships with administration staff and Trustees.
Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising activities, aiming to deliver maximum impact and maximum efficiency.
Recommend and drive targeted additional cultivation activity, from the development of standalone investment materials (digital and hard copy) to receptions and events.

Represent NYCOS at internal and external networking opportunities, developing existing and identifying new institutional relationships.
Research and qualify further development opportunities in response to planned activity including artistic and creative learning programmes.
Work closely with colleagues to ensure that grants are spent in line with funding agreements.
Carry out any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Chief Executive .
Precise administration
Maintain accurate records of all grants and donations including the appropriate destination and Gift Aid Declarations using the organisation’s Customer Relationship Management system (CRM).
Manage budgets, prepare financial data and monitor incoming grant payments with the Finance Team.
Ensure the maintenance of up-to-date records, with the ability to generate and analyse data, and ensuring all data adheres to applicable legislation and guidance, including GDPR.
Produce reports for and make presentations to the Board of Trustees as appropriate

Skills & Experience
Essential
Exceptional writing and communication skills, with an ability to convey detailed information in a concise and compelling way.
Ability to work proactively and constructively with senior and junior colleagues to develop high-quality proposals and creative campaigns.
Experience in establishing and stewarding productive relationships with funders and/or other external stakeholders.
Exceptional attention to detail and organisational skills.
Ability to prioritise and meet regular deadlines whilst working under pressure.
Experience of budget development and management.
 

Desirable:
Track record of designing and implementing fundraising strategies with Trusts and Foundations (or other donor sources) to achieve sustainable revenue
Proven ability to manage, cultivate and grow a list of active and significant donors.
Track record of designing and implementing sustainable strategies to achieve successful revenue fundraising activities.
Experience of managing innovative fundraising campaigns (for example, via events or digital media).
Knowledge of relevant charity and tax laws.

Understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods and best channels to target audiences .
Experience working with young people and/or in the arts sector

Competencies
Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of people with our work
Exceptional influencing, negotiation and diplomacy skills
Ability to think and operate strategically and provide flexible solutions
Able to deliver to demanding deadlines and with a hands-on approach
Excellent IT skills including use of CRM
Ability to self-motivate, work as part of a small team, and support colleagues, even under pressure
Confident, resilient and resourceful, with the capacity to negotiate through personal influence
A commitment to excellence and professionalism
Appreciation of and support for the aims, values and ethos of NYCOS

Salary: £41,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Hybrid – 3 days per week in Central London office
Closing date: 15^th December
Benefits: 8% pension, 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), EAP provider, cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan and more

We’re excited to be working with Actors’ Trust to recruit a Fundraising Manager – a pivotal role in growing philanthropic support and charitable income during an ambitious period of growth. Actors’ Trust has been supporting actors and stage managers for over 140 years, providing vital assistance in times of need. With their bold new strategy, Acting for Impact, they aim to broaden our reach and deliver meaningful, sustainable change for the performing arts community.

In this role, you’ll work closely with the Head of Engagement and Development to build strong relationships with individual donors and trusts & foundations. You’ll develop prospect pipelines, craft compelling proposals, and deliver fundraising activities that increase income and deepen engagement. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to a sector that brings inspiration and meaning to millions.

To succeed as Fundraising Manager, you will need:

• Experience in individual philanthropy and securing gifts
• A track record of developing and implementing successful fundraising strategies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create compelling proposals

For an informal discussion, please contact Ashby Jenkins Recruitment and ask to speak to Emma Ihsan or Jake Parsons

Ashby Jenkins Recruitment is a specialist charity recruitment agency. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and take a relationship-led approach to recruitment in the sector. You can read more about our commitment to diversity on our website.

If enough applications are received, we reserve the right to close the application period early.

Job reference number: 2770JP