Development Manager

Background:

The Bomb Factory Art Foundation is a charitable arts organisation with a mission to support emerging and established artists through exhibitions, residencies, and studio provision. With galleries across five sites in London, The Bomb Factory is known for its community-focused, artist-led programming that champions experimentation and accessibility. 2025 marks the Bomb Factory’s 10th anniversary — a milestone that underscores its long-term impact, evolution, and resilience in a volatile art landscape. The Bomb Factory creates space for public access to contemporary art without barriers. Our commitment to fostering inclusivity and accessibility in the art world drives our extensive learning and participation programme, tailored to enriching local communities and schools.

The charity is now seeking its first Development Manager to play a pivotal role within this small but ambitious organisation to support with its celebratory anniversary event and longer-term goals. The event will be ambitious, fun, a spectacle to inspire and create a sense of community. The aim is for the event to act as a springboard to a structured fundraising programme, increased public engagement and reputation-building efforts to keep the Bomb Factory’s doors open for the next ten years.

The role has potential to scale with the charity and would suit someone who is experienced and hands-on with development, a team player, willing and confident to contribute to decision-making and shape fundraising strategy.

Job title: Development Manager

Reporting to: Strategy Manager and regular liaison with Director, Head of Operations, Trustees

Hours: 3 days (21 hours) a week flexible between the hours of 9am and 6pm - to be agreed with the Manager

Length: 6 month contract (immediate start) with potential to be made permanent on a 2-day a week basis

Location: The role can be worked on a hybrid basis, with an office currently based in the Bomb Factory Holborn building. Applicants must be able to come to the London office at least one day per week

Salary: £35,000 FTE per annum (prorated for part time)

Job purpose  

To plan and project manage the charity’s 10 year anniversary celebratory event to be delivered in October 2025 and to kick start the charity's fundraising prospects.

Specific responsibilities:  

• Alongside the wider creative team, plan and project manage the 10 year anniversary celebratory event to be delivered in October 2025

• Contribute to strategic communications of telling our story and articulating the case for support

• With support from the team and building working relationships with Trustees and other key stakeholders, identify and cultivate supporter prospects for the event and future fundraising opportunities

• Lead on sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the event

• Set the charity up for success with systems and processes to underpin prospect cultivation

Responsibilities following the event, with potential to extend the contract:

• Building on the case for support - lead the research and design and initiate implementation of a fundraising strategy suitable for the charity

• Advise on and embed good practice around fundraising

Requirements

Essential:

• Significant experience of initiating and delivering impactful events

• Strong organisational skills including budgeting

• A self-starter, able to work in a small and dynamic organisation

• Be an active participant in the world of art and culture, accustomed to networking with a range of stakeholders

• Proven experience of developing and putting into practice fundraising strategies in a similar role, working with individual donors, partnerships, trusts & foundations or public funders

Desirable:

• A strategic thinker who can support the team to develop and communicate the Bomb Factory’s evolving role as a key organisation within the London arts ecosystem

• Confident in communicating through all types of media

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.