The Bush Theatre is looking for a highly motivated fundraiser to lead the Development team and be a part of the theatre’s Senior Management Team. The Bush is open to applicants with experience running a team as well as those looking to progress to the next stage in their career. We would like to see candidates with experience in any fundraising income stream.

We want you to have the opportunity to really tell us about yourself and explain why this position is right for you in whatever way feels most appropriate. Send one of the following, alongside a basic CV:

 

●      A personal statement (500 words max)

●      Presentation - Keynote or PowerPoint

●      Short video or sound file (5 minutes max)

 

All applications will be judged on content not on format. We have suggested some options above, but if you would like to suggest an alternative let us know.

 

All applications must address the following questions:

 

●      Tell us a little about yourself and why this position interests you.

●      Tell us what experience you have had that means you meet the person specification outlined in the job description; include practical examples.

●      What would you be bringing to this role?

●      Do you have any qualifications you want to tell us about?

 

1. Read the Job Description and Person Specification. 

 

2. Apply through our recruitment portal Breathe HR. Include a CV.

 

You can upload video or sound files using the We Transfer service https://wetransfer.com/. When using this service, please include the We Transfer link in your Breathe HR attachments by including the link in your CV or submitting it on a separate document.

 

3. Complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring form.  This helps us to better understand if our recruitment practices are accessible and equitable to all.

If you have any need for this information in a different format please contact our Administrator, Pauline Walker, by email jobs@bushtheatre.co.uk or phone 0208743 3584.

 

Deadline for applications: 23.59 on Wednesday 12 March 2025.

First Interview date:  19 March 2025

Second Interview date: 26 March 2025

 

Interviews will take place in person at the Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road.

 

The value of equal opportunities runs through the heart of the organisation. Our diverse team and their range of experiences are vital to the Bush’s success, but we still have work to do to make sure that Bush staff represent the communities we serve. We actively encourage people with different backgrounds to join us. We are particularly keen to receive applications from Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, North African, East Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian, Migrant, Black and Latinx backgrounds, Deaf and disabled people who are currently underrepresented in our team.

 

As part of our Minimum Criteria Guaranteed Interview scheme, we will offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role.  If you consider yourself to have a disability or long-term condition and would like to apply through this interview scheme, please let us know by stating anywhere in your application: ‘I would like to apply through the Minimum Criteria Guaranteed Interview scheme.’

Your application and any associated personal information will be stored and processed in accordance with our Data Policy and destroyed after six months. We will keep your equal opportunities form for a period of up to 6 months, after which point the data will be anonymised and aggregated for monitoring purposes. If you are engaged by us, the information you supply will be kept securely and form part of your record with us.

Job Title:               Head of Development (Maternity Cover)

Responsible to:     Executive Director

Responsible for:    Development Officer (Trusts), Development Officer (Individual Giving), Development & Marketing Assistant

 

Opened in 1972, the Bush Theatre is internationally renowned as ‘the place to go for ground-breaking work as diverse as its audiences’ (London Evening Standard).  

 

A champion of playwrights and operating in one of the most culturally diverse areas of London, the Bush Theatre has a commitment to its local community and the wider artistic community. Braiding these two strands of work together, the Bush produces an engaging and challenging programme that reflects the world we live in. 

 

Recent successes include multi-award-winning productions Red Pitch by Tyrell Williams, Lava by Benedict Lombe, Sleepova by Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini, and Invisible by Nikhil Parmar.  Richard Gadd’s Baby Reindeer, Igor Memic’s Old Bridge, and Waleed Akhtar’s The P Word won the Olivier Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre’ in 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively. In 2023 the Bush was joint winner of The Stage’s ‘Theatre of the Year’ alongside the Lyric Theatre, Belfast and produced Sir Lenny Henry's first play August in England which was directed by Bush's Artistic Director Lynette Linton and Associate Artistic Director Daniel Bailey.

 

The Bush Theatre’s talent development programmes discover and develop the very best of the UK’s leading artists. The Bush team believes the theatre has a responsibility to programme and generate opportunities for new and established makers and, with long-term residencies, add to the sustainability of their careers.

 

Since re-opening in March 2017 after a year-long £4.3 million renovation by architects Haworth Tompkins, the Bush has continued to create a space where all communities can be part of its future and call the theatre home.

 

Meet the Bush team 

 

You will be responsible for developing and implementing an enterprising fundraising strategy that builds financial resilience for the Bush. You’ll manage and support a team of fundraisers and work closely with the Executive team and the Board to harness support and realise financial targets.  

 

You will be a highly motivated fundraiser, with experience and proficiency in developing relationships and encouraging support across all sources of fundraising. You’ll also be a confident networker and have the ability to inspire and motivate others. 

 

This is a role with leadership responsibility as part of the Bush’s Senior Management Team. It will work in conjunction with the rest of SMT and the Board. 

 

●      To develop and implement a successful fundraising strategy reflecting the Bush’s core objectives, generating ongoing sustainable income to support all aspects of the theatre’s work.

●      To be an active part in programming conversations and leverage productions for maximise supporter engagement.

●      To understand the annual target and the part played by each income stream to achieve it.

●      To oversee the devising of a strategy for the acquisition and retention of the Bush’s membership scheme.

●      To lead on the creation and communication of new fundraising initiatives to a diverse range of external and internal stakeholders.

●      To be responsive to opportunities and changes in the fundraising landscape.

●      As a member of the Senior Management Team, to play a key role in the strategic thinking of the organisation and ongoing business planning process.

●      To play a key role in the overall strategy for relationships and communications with statutory funders and bodies, including Arts Council England.

 

●      To lead and manage the Development Team, including taking responsibility for their professional development.

●      To remain abreast of funding priorities for the Bush Theatre across all streams

●      To manage a portfolio of funders and support members of the Development team on key projects where necessary.

●      To form part of the Bush’s Senior Management Team.

●      To deputise for and partner with the Executive Director on specific projects and at internal or external events and meetings as required.

●      To deliver quarterly fundraising reports for the Board on income raised.

●      To manage the day-to-day financial management for the Development Team including maintaining targets, reporting and forecasting.

●      To be responsible for achieving agreed income targets, currently in excess of £500k per year by overseeing individual giving, trusts and foundations, corporate giving and events.  

●      To lead on major donor giving across all sectors of the fundraised income.

●      To develop a portfolio of donors and a prospect pipeline.

●      To create bespoke strategies for donors and deliver cultivation and stewardship plans accordingly.

●      To motivate and support trustees who support the fundraising activity.

●      To oversee the preparation of high quality, targeted and compelling fundraising materials, including letters, proposals, presentations and updates.

●      To ensure that all income secured is handled as tax effectively as possible.

 

●      To create and oversee the delivery of an annual programme of events for supporters designed to maximise supporter retention and upgrades and encourage overall engagement with the theatre.

●      To develop and oversee cultivation and stewardship events and other events aimed at raising funds and identifying new supporters.

●      To input to guest lists for press nights and other special events ensuring opportunities to engage major donors and prospects are maximised.

●      To oversee production of briefing notes for senior management and Trustee meetings and events with major donors.

 

●        To keep up to date with developments in fundraising.

●        To attend read-throughs, sharings, Preview, Press and Supporters’ Nights and other Bush Theatre events as required.

●        Attend regular Company meetings and programming meetings.

●        Actively develop and implement green policies and practices for the department.

●        Adhere to, and actively contribute to, Bush Theatre policies, including Equalities (diversity, access, and equal opportunities), Environmental and Health & Safety.

●        To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible, without jeopardising the quality of the work or the reputation of The Bush Theatre.

●        To act always in the best interest of the Bush Theatre.

●        Any other duties as reasonably required.

 

●      The ability to inspire and motivate others – internally and externally.

●      Goal-oriented and highly motivated.

●      Ability to work with charm, maturity and a sense of humour.

●      Ability to work effectively under pressure and to meet challenging targets.

●      An enthusiasm for the Bush’s work.

 

●      Excellent communication skills – written and verbal.

●      Excellent interpersonal and people-management skills.

●      Strong networking and relationship building skills.

●      Efficiency, accuracy and attention to detail.

●      Significant experience in fundraising with a strong track record of income generation 

●      Proven track record of regularly raising and stewarding donations or partnerships of £10k and above

●      Experience and understanding of membership schemes

●      Line management experience.

●      Experience of building and managing donor relationships

●      Experience managing budgets

●      Experience of creating and delivering cultivation or fundraising events

 

●      Experience of fundraising for the arts/young people

●      Experience of working with fundraising databases

●      Experience and understanding of HMRC regulations

Hours:                   35 Hours per week across at least five days excluding an hour break.  Evening and weekend work will be required as part of this role

 

Salary:                   £40,000 - 43,000 per annum pro rata dependent on experience

 

Holidays:               30 days per annum inclusive of Bank Holidays

Rising to 31 days after two years’ service

Rising to 32 days after four years’ service

 

Probation:             Three months

 

Contract type:       Fixed Term Contract

 

 

●      Interest-free season ticket loan (after probation) for employees 

●      Cycle to work scheme for employees 

●      Complimentary tickets to all Bush productions subject to availability 

●      20% discount on food and drink at the Library Cafe Bar 

●      Access to a confidential counselling service