Citizens UK
Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.
Project Information
Butetown and Grangetown Neighbourhood Fund project, funded by the Youth Endowment Fund. More details here: Neighbourhood Fund | Youth Endowment Fund
Citizens Cymru Wales has developed an innovative approach to reducing youth violence with community organising at its heart, working across four unique assumptions:
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‘It takes a village to raise a child’
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‘Anger without power leads to rage’
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‘Recognising the need to address Adverse Community Experiences’
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‘If you are not at the table, you’re on the menu’
In 2021 it developed a community led action plan to address youth violence in the neighbourhoods of Butetown and Grangetown. This work then secured £1m funding from the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) to demonstrate how community organising can improve the lives of children and young people. Across Grangetown and Butetown, almost 2500 people were listened to, and issues workshops took place from which seven interventions were identified including Mental health, Additional Learning Needs and Literacy, an Employment partnership, Sports and diversionary activities and local microgrants. Each intervention is led by a local community-based organisation. At the heart of the work is building a hyperlocal community organising alliance. Underpinning the work is the development of a Youth Action Zone, a youth-led multi-agency partnership to support young people in the neighbourhood for the long term. The project is in its final year of delivery and needs a locally based project manager to support the current organisations to fulfil the action plan and build a long-term legacy.
Main Responsibilities
This is a unique role, focused on project management but embedding community organising. As project organiser for Butetown and Grangetown Neighbourhood Fund you will support the project aims, enabling core partners and intervention leads to fulfil the action plan and build a legacy for the long term. Alongside this, you will develop a craft of community organising, working closely with civic organisations based in the neighbourhoods, understanding local power and building partnerships with wider stakeholders, and developing local institutions and youth leaders. All of this should ladder up to building the power of the broader Cardiff Citizens alliance.
You will embed the ethos of community organising across the project and its legacy by:
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developing the leadership of people within local organisations - our 'leaders' who lead the campaigns we work on
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helping them to collectively identify the changes they want to see and create strategies to win those changes
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strengthen institutions’ own abilities to achieve their missions.
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Support leaders in connecting the hyperlocal work to the Cardiff Citizens alliance – developing their capacity to work with other leaders and civic institutions across the city to develop collective ambitions and actions (leading up to the 2027 Local Authority elections).
We envisage the role to be roughly 2 days project management and 1 day Community Organising, but given the nature of the project, these will naturally bleed into one another.
Working as the Project Organiser for Citizens UK, your main responsibilities will include:
Career Pathways Headings
Build and manage projects and achieve work targets effectively
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Project manage the YEF/Citizens UK Neighbourhood Fund project in the neighbourhoods of Butetown and Grangetown
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Support the delivery of four interventions (Mental health, ALN & Literacy/Sports and Police action team) including due diligence, accountability, measurement and impact monitoring.
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Ensure good governance; setting up stakeholder meetings and working with community leaders to develop the agenda and actions
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Develop an understanding of place-based systems change and support system behaviours across the project, including feedback, collaborative leadership and shared power
Develop and manage external relationships
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Maintain and extend local relationships and partnerships with community and civic organisations and wider statutory power
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Map and develop an ecosystem of strategic relationships at the local level
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Ensure the YEF work is embedded within the local ecosystem of support for young people.
Communications
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Support the interventions with communicating the impact of their work individually and collectively
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Create comms outputs that communicate the work of the YEF project for internal and external stakeholders
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Represent the organisation effectively to external audiences in meetings and at events
Generate income and resources
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Support the interventions to seek additional funding to continue their work beyond 2027
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Support local organisations to increase their capacity
Identify and develop relational leaders prepared to act with others for the common good and support them through a cycle of action and training in our curriculum
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Conduct 5 relational one-to-ones per week
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Identify and discern actual and potential leaders with the passion and ability to drive change
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Achieve significant development of primary and secondary leaders; nominate new leaders for training on the Citizens UK core taster curriculum and for National Training
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Attend Citizens UK 6-day training to further understanding the method of Community Organising used by CUK
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Teach sessions of the core taster Community Organising curriculum at a local level (supported by a senior Organiser)
Strengthen institutions and develop a broad-based neighbourhood alliance
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Ensure good understanding of the basic interests and traditions of typical member institutions
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Support the development of the Cardiff Citizens alliance
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Support with running institutional development campaigns in a range of organisations in the local area
Personal Specification
(D) Desirable, (E) Essential
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in any subject (D)
Qualification in a subject of relevance to community work or community organising (D)
Experience
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Evidence of having acted in a leadership role with peers or in local community activities (e.g., organising clubs or societies) (E)
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Experience of project management; evidence of having set up and/or delivered projects on time and to standard (E)
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Able to demonstrate previous experience of ‘learning by doing’ in a work or project environment; evidence of being open to feedback and comfortably coachable (E)
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Experience of building consensus between diverse stakeholders to drive progressive change (D)
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Previous campaign experience (D)
Key skills and knowledge
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Excellent interpersonal awareness – ability to listen well and appreciate a viewpoint or opinion that is different from one’s own (E)
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Excellent concern for impact – ability to adapt own behaviour to address the needs or concerns of someone else (E)
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Good communication skills – able to speak with conviction and passion; and to make a logical argument (E)
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Excellent time management skills with the ability to juggle a wide range of competing demands (E)
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Strong IT skills to include MS Office (E)
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Understanding of policy and campaign landscape in the UK, particularly around young people, community empowerment and neighbourhoods (D)
Personal qualities & values
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A self-starter with ability to take initiative and work independently (E)
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A passion for justice (E)
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A positive enthusiasm for working with faith congregations, trade unions, schools, and other community organisations (E)
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An interest in and experience of politics and public life (E)
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Able to work in a team (E)
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Willingness to work within accountable relationships (E)
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Self-motivated and adaptable (E)
Our Organisers and some project teams work closely with our member institutions and will be expected to attend member events that take place in the evenings and occasional weekends. We operate a Time Off in Lieu approach and have very flexible working arrangements to ensure a good work-life balance.
The successful applicant will be required to undertake a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check. DBS checks are renewed on a 3-year cycle.
About the application process
We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role.
For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.
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Thank you!
Head of Development
Department: Development
Line Manager: Director of Audiences and Growth
Reports From: Development Officer, Freelance Bid Writer
Salary: £43,000 - £52,500
The Belgrade theatre has big growth plans with a vibrant programme; we are proud of our reputation for excellent stewardship and donor care. We are a National Portfolio Organisation, funded by Arts Council England, and enjoy the support of many individuals, trust and foundations and corporate supporters. We are now looking for an ambitious, creative, and energetic fundraiser to help take us into our next chapter. You might be an experienced Development leader or someone looking to take that next step, or perhaps this could be a lateral move from another related sector. We are open to discussing flexible working patterns, and you will be able to shape the role around your particular skills and experience.
You will have the full support of the CEO, senior team and Board of Trustees, and we will work with you to ensure you continue to develop in your professional practice. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that your work is making a real difference in supporting the Belgrade Theatre realise its Story of Change and continue to build on our co-creation model of developing theatre by and with the people of Coventry.
You will be joining us at an exciting time whilst we build the production of our new co-created show Nanny of the Maroons, and your skills and expertise in fundraising and income-generation activity, will support us to launch this production in a way that can have real impact for the people of Coventry; whilst shaping a sustainable future for the organisation, and achieving an annual revenue funding target of £450K.
This is a hands-on role focused on delivering fundraising activity, supporting income generation through campaigns, events, partnerships and donor stewardship. You will build meaningful relationships with donors, partners, and funders, working on strategies that support artistic ambition, creative learning and community engagement programmes, and long-term organisational growth.
This role will suit someone who is organised, proactive and confident in delivering fundraising activity, and who can bring practical ideas that connect with Coventry’s diverse communities.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Director of Audiences and Growth, CEO, Artistic Director and Director of Producing and Co-creation. This role will line manage the Development Officer and oversee freelance bid writers. This role needs to have constructive relationships with all departments within the business including working closely with the audiences, marketing and communications team and colleagues across Box Office, Finance and Front of House. You will deliver a programme of fundraising activity including memberships, small, mid-scale and larger trusts and foundations, community fundraising, sponsorship and local business partnerships.
External: Trusts and Foundations, Donors, High Net worth individuals, Members, Individual Giving, Stakeholders, Volunteers and Business Networks
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and deliver a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with organisational priorities
- Lead on income diversification across individual giving/membership, major gifts, legacies, trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, campaigns and events
- Set and monitor annual income targets with clear KPIs and reporting structure
Fundraising Campaigns & Income Generation
- Develop and deliver audience-focused fundraising campaigns that support theatre programming, community engagement and audience development.
- Identify and implement practical income opportunities, such as round-up donations, maximising Gift Aid and testing messaging at key audience touchpoints.
Events & Community Fundraising
- Plan, promote and deliver fundraising events including donor evenings and follow up donor cultivation, community fundraising activities and donor profile events
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers to ensure events are well organised and provide a positive supporter experience.
Trusts, Memberships & Partnerships
- Research, write and submit applications to small, mid-scale and large trusts and foundations aligned with The Belgrade’s artistic, co-creation, educational and community activity to ensure we meet our target of 10% of turnover against fundraising activity
- Review and refresh The Belgrade’s s membership schemes, sponsorship offers and local business fundraising opportunities.
- Develop proposals to support income from individuals, trusts and community partners.
- Establish and Develop a Legacy programme with the associated campaign
Donor Stewardship & Supporter Care
- Support and steward donors, members and supporters through appropriate communication, recognition and reporting.
- Ensure donor recognition is accurate and visible across digital, print and in-venue materials.
- Experience of managing a varied pipeline of fundraising prospects, including identification of key internal and external milestones
Digital Fundraising & Communications
- Work with the Marketing team to create fundraising content for email, web and social media.
- Use storytelling to promote THE BELGRADE ’s charitable activity and encourage supporter engagement.
Monitoring, Reporting & Compliance
- Maintain accurate donor records.
- Track fundraising income and prepare reports for internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure all fundraising activity complies with GDPR, Gift Aid requirements and Fundraising Regulator guidance.
Planning, Collaboration & Good Practice
- Contribute to the delivery of agreed annual fundraising plans, supporting our Audiences and Marketing team by tracking activity and progress against targets.
- Stay informed about THE BELGRADE ’s artistic programme and community work, working with colleagues across departments to support clear and relevant case for support.
- Build and maintain networks with fundraising colleagues in the arts and charity sectors, sharing learning and good practice with THE BELGRADE particularly at a local and regional level
- Contribute positively to THE BELGRADE ’s inclusive, collaborative and community-focused culture, supporting volunteers involved in fundraising activity where appropriate.
- Set company wide strategies to maximise individual giving around our Making Memories campaign for Pantomime and our Stage for All campaign that supports co-creation.
General
- Keep up to date with emerging technologies and industry trends to improve efficiency and fundraising potential.
- Maintain a strong applicable knowledge of the theatre’s programme, strategy and business plan.
- Attend staff meetings / training as required.
- Adhere to policies and procedures and act as an ambassador for best practice.
What Success Looks Like
- Reaching our fundraising target of £450k
- Growth in philanthropic income year-on-year
- Strong donor engagement, both recruitment and retention
- Increase in size and diversity of membership base including renewal of lapsed bookers
- A motivated, high-performing development team
- Clear, compelling fundraising messaging around The Belgrade’s case for support embedded across the organisation
- A sustainable funding model that supports artistic excellence and community impact
The postholder will be required to work from the theatre in Coventry, although some flexibility for occasional working from home is available subject to the needs of the business. This role may require working weekends and evenings for attendance at Guest Nights and Stakeholder Events etc. from time to time for which time off can be taken in lieu.
Please note the job description for this position may be reviewed and amended to incorporate future business needs.
Person Specification:
Essential - the successful candidate will meet the majority of these requirements.
- Experience delivering fundraising campaigns.
- Experience stewarding and supporting donors or supporters.
- Experience writing successful funding applications.
- Experience planning and delivering fundraising or community events.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Understanding of fundraising compliance, including GDPR and Gift Aid.
- Awareness of current fundraising trends and inclusive fundraising practices.
- Proactive, organised and hands-on approach.
- Confidence building and maintaining professional relationships with a range of stakeholders
- Commitment to inclusivity, ethical fundraising and community values.
- Collaborative, adaptable and solution focused.
- Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors or supporters
- Experience using CRM or database systems to manage supporter data
- Willingness to embrace the Belgrade’s Brand Values
- A genuine interest in inclusive arts, music and social impact
Desirable
- Experience of developing new fundraising initiatives from conception to realisation
- Experience of budget responsibility and reporting on achievements against targets
- Knowledge and experience of major gift fundraising
Apply Now
Upload your CV and Cover Letter
In your cover letter, tell us:
- Why you want to work for The Belgrade Theatre?
- What experiences and skills do you have that you feel will illustrate your suitability for the role
Our Commitment to Equality
The Belgrade Theatre is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment for everyone. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences—including but not limited to individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, faiths or beliefs, disabilities, and neurodiverse conditions.
We believe that a diverse workforce enriches our creative community and strengthens our connection to the audiences we serve. Our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, and we strive to ensure that all employees and applicants feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their full selves to work.
If you require any adjustments, accommodations, or assistance at any stage of the recruitment or application process, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will work with you to provide the support you need to make your application journey as accessible and comfortable as possible.
If you are applying through the Disability Confident Scheme, please reference that in your cover letter or application
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FORM
The Belgrade Theatre is committed to ensuring equal opportunities, aiming to attract and work with staff from a wide diverse pool. The information that you give us on this form will be treated confidentially and stored on our HR database as statistical information only. This will be used to help monitor the diversity of applicants and to enable us to continue to develop policies and procedures regarding diversity and to submit required data to our funders. The information you supply will not be made available to anyone in any form other than anonymous data.
At the Belgrade Theatre, we are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone has equal opportunity to thrive and contribute to telling powerful, diverse stories that reflect us
as a vibrant community.
