Head of Development

Job Summary

Lead fundraising at The Sherborne, a growing cultural charity in Dorset. Build major giving, memberships, trusts, partnerships and legacy income to support ambitious arts, heritage and community programmes. Permanent, 32-40 hours per week. Salary £60,000-£65,000.

Job Description

The Sherborne is seeking a Head of Development to lead fundraising and income generation at a pivotal point in our growth.

Reopened in 2024 following the restoration of a Grade I listed Georgian house, The Sherborne is a home for the arts in the South West. We bring together exhibitions, sculpture, heritage, performance, learning, outreach, artist residencies, hospitality and events. As we become a fully independent charity, this new leadership role will help secure our long-term sustainability and enable our cultural and public impact.

Working with the CEO, Board and senior team, you will create and deliver a multi-year fundraising strategy spanning major gifts, high-net-worth individuals, trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, membership and patron schemes, legacy giving and grants.

An early priority will be developing an evidence-led case for support and assessing the philanthropic potential within our networks. You will also help fund major ambitions, including our recently acquired Glove Factory as an archive and residency space, the evolution of our Pavilion and Art Room, our artistic programme, Dorset Town of Culture 2027 and a potential Wessex Culture Trail.

The Sherborne's heritage, audiences, earned income, events and expertise provide strong foundations for fundraising. You will turn these assets into sustainable income growth over the next five to seven years, while developing trusted relationships with supporters, funders and partners.

Combining strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, you will join the senior team, lead donor cultivation and stewardship, oversee applications and reporting, monitor performance and return on investment, and ensure regulatory and data-protection compliance.

Role: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, or part-time at 32 hours
Location: The Sherborne, Sherborne, Dorset
Salary: £60,000-£65,000, commensurate with experience
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Probation: Three months

Job Requirements

Essential:

* Significant experience leading fundraising across an income portfolio.
* A demonstrable record of securing substantial income growth, developing partnerships or delivering step-change results.
* Experience building major-donor relationships and persuasive cases for support.
* Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to express complex ideas credibly.
* Confidence influencing, negotiating and engaging with trustees, philanthropists, funders and senior stakeholders.
* Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to collaborate across a multidisciplinary organisation.
* Sound knowledge of UK charity governance, fundraising regulation, compliance and data protection.
* Strategic judgement combined with the drive for hands-on delivery.

Desirable:

* Fundraising experience within arts, culture or heritage.
* Experience of legacy giving and/or endowment development.
* Knowledge of Arts Council England or National Lottery Heritage Fund applications.

Job Responsibilities

* Create and deliver a multi-year strategy covering major gifts, grants, trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships and individual giving.
* Develop The Sherborne's evidence-led case for support.
* Build trusted relationships with donors, philanthropists, partners and institutional funders.
* Design and grow patron, membership, major-giving and supporter programmes.
* Establish legacy giving and explore an endowment strategy.
* Build a funding pipeline, including Arts Council England and National Lottery Heritage Fund opportunities.
* Oversee applications, funder compliance, monitoring and reporting.
* Work with finance colleagues on budgets, forecasts, targets and return on investment.
* Maintain donor records and ensure regulatory and data-protection compliance.
* Lead cultivation events, including private views, talks, dinners and behind-the-scenes experiences.
* Contribute to organisational strategy, business planning and long-term sustainability as a senior team member.

Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Development
Salary: £50k+
Hours: Full time
Artform: Charity
Role: Fundraising
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: Fri, 02 Oct 2026
Location:

South West

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Job: Head of Development

Organisation: The Sherborne

Postcode: DT9 3JG

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a supporting statement explaining why you are interested in joining The Sherborne and how your experience meets the role's essential requirements.

Your statement should outline your experience of leading a multi-stream fundraising portfolio, securing significant income, developing major-donor or funder relationships and working within UK charity regulation. Please also highlight relevant experience in arts, culture or heritage, legacy giving, endowments or national funding applications.

Send applications to: [email protected]

Closing date: 23:59 Friday 2 October 2026

The Sherborne is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly encourage candidates currently under-represented within the cultural and charity sectors.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact: [email protected]

Contact name: Georgie Fowle
Contact email: [email protected]

About The Sherborne

The Sherborne is home to the nationally significant Thornhill Mural and a landmark new destination for the arts. Beyond the canvas and sculptures, it offers versatile spaces for events, private hire, and flexible working, a restaurant and bar championing a locally sourced British menu, and a carefully curated shop showcasing artisanal creators and makers.

Find out more