Development Manager
Whitechapel Gallery Closing date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026
- Full time
- £30k-£40k
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 "> published -
Job Summary
Job Description
The Development Manager is a key role within Whitechapel Gallery's Development Team, with responsibility for managing and growing support from individual supporters, patrons and corporate partners.
The postholder will manage the Gallery's Patrons programmes, including Global Circle, Director's Circle, Curator's Circle, Patrons and Corporate Patrons, as well as supporting fundraising activity linked to Exhibition Circles, the Commissioning Council, the Education Council and the Errantry Fund.
The role will focus on recruiting, retaining and stewarding supporters, developing strong donor relationships and helping to grow income in line with the Gallery's fundraising strategy. The postholder will also manage a portfolio of supporters and prospects, working closely with the Director of Development on higher-level donor relationships where appropriate.
Although the role does not have formal line management responsibilities, the Development Manager will provide senior coordination across individual giving, corporate patron activity, donor stewardship, prospect development and supporter communications. They will work closely with colleagues across the Development Team and wider Gallery to ensure activity is well planned, coordinated and delivered to a high standard.
As the Gallery approaches its 125th anniversary, this role will support the development of fundraising initiatives that reflect Whitechapel Gallery's mission, values and artistic programme, and help build long-term support for the Gallery's future.
Conditions of Work
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: Full time, 36.25 hours per week, Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:45pm.
Salary: £39,000-£41,000
Probationary period: 3 months with maximum extension of 2 months
Notice period: 3 months. During the probation period the notice is 2 weeks in writing on either side.
Due to the nature of the job, some evening and weekend work will be required, as well as occasional travel. This will be compensated by time off in lieu.
Job Requirements
Essential
Proven experience of securing gifts from individual and/or corporate supporters, with evidence of working towards agreed income targets.
Experience of managing or supporting an individual giving, patrons, membership or supporter scheme.
Strong understanding of donor cultivation, stewardship and retention, including experience of managing donor pipelines, cultivation plans or supporter journeys.
Confident relationship-builder and networker, with the ability to engage high-net-worth individuals, corporate supporters, trustees, senior stakeholders and internal colleagues with professionalism and discretion.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, persuasive and well-presented proposals, briefings and donor communications.
Please check our website for the full Job Requirements.
Job Responsibilities
Individual Giving and Patrons
Manage and develop the Gallery's individual supporters and corporate patrons programme, supporting the Director of Development to recruit, retain and upgrade supporters and achieve agreed income targets.
Manage the day-to-day delivery of the Patrons Programme, including communications, marketing, benefits, renewals and stewardship, ensuring supporters receive a high-quality and consistent experience.
Support the recruitment and retention of supporters for the Exhibition Circles, Education Council and Commissioning Council, working with the Director of Development on higher-level donor relationships where appropriate.
Research, identify and cultivate new prospects for the Gallery's supporter pipeline, particularly individual supporters and corporate prospects.
Please check our website for the full Job Responsibilities.
Useful Links
Job Overview
- Job Title: Development Manager
- Salary: £30k-£40k
- Hours: Full time
- Artform: Visual arts
- Role: Fundraising
- Contract: Permanent
- Closing date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026
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Location:
London
How to Apply
Please complete the application form and diversity monitoring form found on our website, and return to [email protected] by 12:00pm on Thursday, 23 July 2026.
- Contact email: [email protected]
About Whitechapel Gallery
Whitechapel Gallery was founded in 1901 to present “the finest art of the world to the people of the East End, London”. Over one hundred and twenty years later, Whitechapel Gallery is renewing its founding mission under the directorship of Gilane Tawadros, recognising our unique role as a pioneering art institution that sits in the heart of London’s East End and our global, diverse communities.