Development Officer
Salary £ 27,500
Vacancy listed 30/03/2026
Application deadline 19/04/2026
Details
Individual Giving
  • Contribute to the evolution and implementation of our Individual Giving strategy, working closely with the Head of Development.
  • Play an active role in conceptualising, launching and managing individual and ongoing fundraising campaigns.
  • Collaborate on the planning and delivery of events for Star Supporters including liaison with internal departments, freelance artists and catering.
Contribute to the evolution and implementation of the comms calendar for Star Supporters, including producing first drafts, and actioning edits, with conceptual and copy support from Head of Development. Maintain accurate record keeping systems around comms planned and sent, and assist administratively with maintaining accurate supporter lists and with GDPR compliant mail merge activity. 
  • Collaborate with the Head of Development to create persuasive print and digital assets for acquisition, stewardship and retention.
  • Collaborate with Marketing to conceptualise and run public facing fundraising campaigns across digital and print e.g. Bush Friend push.
  • Collaborate with the Head of Development and then act as main liaison with Marketing to evolve and run digital prospecting campaigns, including drafting copy and creating visual assets.
  • Manage the maintenance of our database of donors and prospects, ensuring all information is accurate and GDPR compliant.
  • Support the administration of individual giving and memberships, including accurately maintaining records and facilitating renewals.
  • Hold the renewals process for Rising Stars and Bush Friends autonomously. 
  • Provide stewardship for donors at most levels, both through written assets and communications and in person.
  • Pro-actively lead cultivation of new Star Supporters from elsewhere in the pipeline, including identifying prospects, strategising approach and collaborating with Head of Development and other team members on acquisition. 
  • Book tickets for Star Supporters and prospects, and track all supporter benefits.
  • Collaborate on the development of Legacy giving at the Bush.

Events & Planning
  • Assist in the execution of Major Donor dinners, including logistics and practical setup and liaison with catering, internal departments and freelancers.
  • Collaborate on the conceptualisation, planning and delivery of an annual Bush Friends Night with Marketing.
  • Collaborate with the Development team to plan and deliver an annual high-level fundraising dinner.
  • Contribute to events evaluation qualitatively and quantitatively including ROI calculations.
  • Maintain detailed income and expenditure records for events where appropriate.

Trusts & Foundations
  • Draft applications for low level grants in accordance with our strategy, tone of voice, and existing content. 
  • Support Head of Development with the logistics and smooth running of meetings and site visits with prospective or secured T&F.
  • Provide stewardship for Trustees from secured and prospective T&F at Bush events.
  • Draft post-funding reports for existing supporters.
  • Maintain and refine existing systems for information gathering, and collaborate with internal departments to regularly update content held. This may include liaising with freelance artists and programme participants. 
  • Contribute to the evolution and implementation of the comms calendar for T&F, including producing first drafts, and actioning edits, with conceptual and copy support from Head of Development. Maintain accurate record keeping systems around comms planned and sent, and assist administratively with maintaining accurate lists of current funders and with GDPR compliant mail merge activity. 

Corporate
  • Create pitch decks for Corporate prospects.
  • Research corporate prospects as required.
  • Support the Head of Development with pitch preparation and site visits. 
  • Collaborate with the Head of Development on the corporate comms calendar, and draft comms for corporate partners as required. 

Administration
  • Prepare and deliver briefing notes on prospects, and research profiles to inform fundraising strategy.
  • Maintain detailed income and expenditure records for the department where required.
  • Ensure funders and Star Supporters are appropriately credited on the Bush Theatre website, in playtexts and front of house.
  • Hold responsibility for Gift Aid in terms of process, scheduling, accurate record keeping and GDPR compliance.     
  • Maintain Spektrix with up-to-date contact information, supporter details, and Gift Aid declarations.
  • Support the team as required by taking phone calls, drafting correspondence, overseeing mail, arranging meetings and representing the Bush Theatre in a professional and personable manner.

General
  • Attend read-throughs, sharings, Preview, Press and Supporters Nights and other Bush Theatre events as required. 
  • To keep up-to-date with fundraising  and news in the theatre sector.
  • Attend regular Company meetings.
  • Actively develop and implement green policies and practices for the department. 
  • Adhere to, and actively contribute to all 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.
Benefits

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.

apply