Development Manager

Gainsborough’s House is embarking on a journey over the next five years to raise its profile and grow its audience. As the largest public art gallery in Suffolk and the national centre for Thomas Gainsborough, it serves as a cultural hub in the heart of East Anglia, all within the unique environment of the artist’s birthplace and home. The museum and gallery is a significant venue for an exciting programme of exhibitions, both historical and contemporary, and delivers learning and engagement programmes focused on creating a deeper connection with all our audiences and communities.

Fundraising is crucial to the museum in terms of sustainability and growth, as currently self-generated income only accounts for up to a third of our running costs and so we require substantial external support to meet our strategic objectives. Fundraising takes many forms, including public grants, trusts and foundations, commercial sponsorship and private philanthropy. The Development Manager will execute the planning, submitting, monitoring and reporting on grant applications, and provide leadership with the Director in the stewardship of our patron groups and individual donors. In addition, the Development Manager will need to cultivate relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, working closely with the Director and other staff. The postholder will be responsible for delivering a successful development strategy, supported by the Board’s fundraising sub-committee. The successful candidate will have experience of fundraising in a cultural organization, familiarity with the development landscape in the UK, and a sound understanding of best practice, including the public sector (local authority, ACE and NLHF) and private sector (trusts and foundations, corporate and private).