Development Manager

Development Manager

Buxton Opera House Closing date: Sun, 15 Nov 2026

Artform: Theatre
Role: Fundraising
Contract: Permanent
North West

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 "> published -

Job Summary

As Development Manager, you’ll lead on day-to-day trusts and foundations fundraising, building a strong and well-qualified pipeline and developing compelling applications that secure restricted and unrestricted income.

Job Description

The postholder will research prospective funders, translate the organisation's work and impact into persuasive cases for support, coordinate high-quality submissions, and manage grants through to reporting and renewal.
You will lead small and medium-sized applications and support the Head of Development on larger, strategic, or capital bids. This is a hands-on income-generation role requiring previous success in trusts and foundations fundraising, strong written communication, and disciplined pipeline management.
You will also play a vital part in supporting the Development team to increase restricted and unrestricted income through individual giving streams, including work to support a refreshed
membership scheme in 2027.

Job Requirements

Person Specification
-Minimum of 2 years' experience in a fundraising role, ideally in the charity sector
-Demonstrable experience of applying to trusts and foundations and securing income, with a clear
understanding of the individual's own contribution to the result
-Knowledge of growing membership schemes and individual giving schemes
-Experience of building and actively managing a prospect pipeline, prioritising opportunities and
working to multipe external deadlines
-Proven experience of building meaningful relationships with stakeholders and funders, including personally researching prospects, developing persuasive propositions, and writing successful applications
-Experience of meeting fundraising and relevant business-related targets
-Experience of working with a CRM system or fundraising database to manage prospects, activity, income, and reporting requirements

Education, training, and qualifications
-Educated to A Level standard (or equivalent experience)

Job Responsibilities

Grant management, reporting, and stewardship (continued)
-Identify opportunities for renewal or further support and begin planning well in advance of the end of an existing grant
-Work with Finance and delivery teams to identify and address any risk of underspend, delay, or variance from agreed grant conditions

Membership scheme development
-Assist with the management and development of our membership supporter scheme (due to be redeveloped in 2027), with support from the Head of Development, Head of Marketing &
Communications, Ticketing & Sales Manager, and Development Officer, including:
-Improving and implementing a fresh CRM pathway for donor and member management
-Steering campaigns and identifying opportunities to grow membership, including through the creation of onsite communities and giving opportunities
-Planning and leading cultivation and stewardship events throughout the year

Useful Links

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Development Manager
  • Salary: £30k-£40k
  • Hours: Full time
  • Artform: Theatre
  • Role: Fundraising
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Closing date: Sun, 15 Nov 2026
  • Location:
    North West
    | view on Google Maps

Job: Development Manager

Job: Development Manager

Organisation: Buxton Opera House

Postcode: SK17 6AZ

How to Apply

We’d love to hear from you! To apply, please send your CV, along with a covering letterdetailing:
-Why you’re interested in this role
-The key skills and experience you would bring to the position

Email your application to [email protected]

Deadline for Applications: Sun 15 Nov, 11.59pm
If you would like to find out more about the role before applying, please contact Tara Worrall-Hill, Head of Development, on [email protected] for an informal conversation.

We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. You may not meet every criterion listed, and that’s okay. If you have some relevant experience and a motivation to learn and grow, we encourage you to apply.

Thank you for your interest. We look forward to receiving your application!