Scottish Opera is Scotland’s national opera company and the country’s largest performing arts organisation. Founded in 1962 to make opera accessible to all, the company presents productions of international acclaim, from early works to world premieres. Performances are designed to be inclusive, with supertitles, audio-described and dementia-friendly shows, free and discounted tickets for under-26s, refugees, asylum seekers and schools, and touring productions reaching communities across Scotland.
The charity is looking for an experienced fundraiser to lead the team across a period of maternity leave. The Individual Giving team look after donors across philanthropy, corporate, members and legators. Internally this role is called the Head of Individual Giving, the job title has been amended for this selection process to reflect the broader remit of the role beyond regular donors.
The post holder will, in conjunction with the Director of Development, set and embed Scottish Operas Individual Giving strategy and will personally solicit gifts and steward key donors, whilst supporting and overseeing the work of the Individual Giving team.
There are some fantastic projects in the works that Scottish Opera can use to engage donors, and there is brilliant internal buy in and understanding of fundraising. Income performance is strong, so there are solid foundations from which to test and trial new ideas.
This role has wide ranging appeal. Scottish Opera are happy to consider candidates for whom this role might be an exciting step up to managing multiple income streams beyond one specialist area, but equally this would be an engaging role for an experienced Head of looking to work in an exciting arts charity, taking their income success to the next level.
Working within an arts and culture charity would be helpful for the candidate to have but isn't essential.
Application notes
Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.
To progress your application, please contact Jo at THINK Recruitment to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot shortlist candidates who have not had a screening call so please allow enough time to have a call before the closing date.
If you need assistance with downloading the pack, please contact our team and we will support you.
Closing date for applications: Midnight Monday 12th January
Sahir (formerly Sahir House) is the oldest continuously operating LGBTQ+ charity in the Liverpool City Region. We are dedicated to fostering a brighter, healthier future for our communities.
We provide practical and emotional support, camaraderie and connection to:
- LGBTQ+ people
- All people living with or affected by HIV
We actively confront injustice, combat discrimination, and address inequalities. By campaigning, we strive to create a fairer and more equitable society for those we serve. Our work is insight and data-driven and our programmes are co-developed with those we serve.
What It Is Like to Work at Sahir
We want people to enjoy working at Sahir and to feel supported, valued and able to thrive. As a health and wellbeing charity, we place strong emphasis on staff wellbeing, reflective practice and work life balance.
We offer a friendly, inclusive and supportive working environment, with access to regular supervision, training and development. Staff are encouraged to build their skills, confidence and experience in ways that support both personal growth and long-term career development.
This role offers the opportunity for a qualified counsellor to deliver high quality, ethical and affirming counselling within a specialist charity setting.
You will work with LGBTQ+ community members as well as people living with or affected by HIV, providing short term counselling within a stepped care model and a supportive multidisciplinary team.
Practice is grounded in the BACP Ethical Framework and informed by the realities of stigma, identity, health and social inequality.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a counsellor who is:
- A qualified practitioner with a recognised counselling qualification at diploma level or above.
- Registered with BACP or working towards accreditation.
- Committed to ethical, reflective and trauma informed practice.
- Confident working with a range of presenting issues, including complexity.
- Empathic, thoughtful and able to work both autonomously and collaboratively.
We particularly welcome applications from counsellors with lived experience of the issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities and/or people living with HIV, while recognising that strong allies and practitioners from a wide range of backgrounds are equally valued.
Equality, Inclusion and Accessibility
Sahir is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age.
Lived experience is valued at Sahir, but it is not a requirement. We are interested in people who share our values and want to contribute positively to our communities.
You do not need to meet every requirement listed to apply. If you feel aligned with our values and excited by the role, we encourage you to apply.
We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process.
Sahir stands as the oldest LGBTQ+ charity in the Liverpool City Region. We’re also a proud support organisation for people living with HIV.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.