Development Manager: Philanthropy & Individual Giving

Development Manager: Philanthropy & Individual Giving

Role Summary

The Development Department is responsible for generating over a third of the Wallace Collection's annual income through a variety of income streams including individual donors, trusts and foundations and corporate partners. This income enables the Collection to achieve its principal aims outlined in the Museum's strategy for : Making Culture Matter. The recently announced transformational masterplan will be a major focus for the Development Department in the years ahead and an opportunity to make a step-change in fundraising at the Wallace Collection.

The Development Manager: Philanthropy & Individual Giving is a new role that has been made possible thanks to a generous gift from the Kate and Marcus Agius Charitable Foundation. This position will play a critical role in bringing about significant transformation in fundraising at the Wallace Collection to support the ambitious plans. The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects with the capacity to give between four and six figure donations to support the Collection's ongoing revenue needs and the capital works as part of the masterplan. The role will oversee the thriving Benefactor and Membership programmes and work closely with the Development Officers: Individual Giving and Membership respectively to develop and deliver a strategy for growth and increase retention. Supporter care and personal stewardship (i.e. events, lectures, and exclusive trips) are an important part of the position.

The ability to build strong relationships and communicate the Collection's aims and ambitions in a warm, authentic, and enthusiastic manner will be essential to the postholder's success.

This role reports to the Head of Development and line manages the Development Officer: Individual Giving and the Development Officer: Membership.

Role Description

Major Donors

• Support the Director of Development and Head of Development in the development and implementation of a major donor strategy to increase the depth and breadth of the donor pipeline and increase raised income.
• Cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of 25 current and prospective major donors with a capacity to give between 4 and 6 figures with a particular focus on the masterplan capital works.
• To develop cultivation and solicitation plans for major donor prospects in the portfolio working with senior staff, volunteers and trustees as appropriate.
• Work with the Head of Development and Development Manager: Research & Operations to identify and cultivate new prospective major donors including current Benefactors.
• To write compelling proposals for individuals about research projects, exhibitions and capital works.
• Prepare tailored profiles and briefings for colleagues and stakeholders for meetings/visits with assigned donors and prospects.
• To deliver and develop creative stewardship touchpoints including inspiring reports to donors and supporters in recognition of their support.
• Work with the Development Manager: Research & Operations to identify and research new major donor prospects.
• To identify and research new supporters as well as research current supporters and identify new fundraising opportunities.

Members and Benefactors

• Oversee the strategy for the Members and Benefactors programmes (including Young Benefactors) with the goal of recruiting, retaining and upgrading Members and Benefactors to increase income from the schemes.
• Support the Development Officers: Membership and Individual Giving to ensure accurate and timely administration of the Member and Benefactor schemes at all levels to maximise annual renewal rates whilst delivering excellent supporter care.
• Lead on developing and monitoring relationships with the Collection's group of Benefactors.
• Support the Development Officer: Individual Giving in the planning and delivery of a programme of exclusive and high-quality events (including short trips) for all level of Benefactors. Ensure delivery both on-site and externally.
• To support the Development Officer: Membership in the development and delivery of the Members events programme and regular communications with members.

Finance and Administration

• To manage the budgets for the Benefactors and Members programmes.
• Oversee the administration of gifts from the Wallace Collection in America.
• To create and manage concise and accurate guest lists and profiles for Development events alongside other colleagues in the team.
• Ensure the highest standards of data capture in financial processes and record-keeping for major donors, benefactor and members in a way that is consistent with GDPR and other relevant legislation and best practice.
• Ensure donor's accreditation requirements are consistently recorded and fulfilled.

Line Management

• Lead, motivate and develop the Development Officers: Membership and Individual Giving, including: agreeing objectives, learning and development and performance appraisals.

Other

• Support the Head of Development in the development and implementation of a Legacy giving strategy.
• Manage and develop the onsite and online giving strategy.
• Support the Director of Development and Head of Development in the planning for the Collection's Fundraising Galas, dinners and ad hoc events.
• To support the work of the other members of the team, and to participate in any way that the Director of Development or Head of Development requires to fulfil the key responsibilities for the department.
• To communicate clearly and effectively internally, and to foster transparent and excellent relationships with other departments at the Collection.
• To assist in out-of-office or after-hours activities and events as required.

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience of building strong relationships with donors and securing philanthropic gifts to meet fundraising targets.
• Experience of leading or supporting the growth of a Benefactor (high-level membership) and/or membership scheme.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Ability to manage and prioritise a busy workload and to think proactively.
• High standards of presentation, ability to keep calm under pressure and a pragmatic, problem-solving mindset.
• Demonstrable computer skills (familiarity with MS packages and customer relationship databases).
• Friendly, flexible and sensitive attitude; enjoys working as part of a team.
• Enthusiasm and passion for the Wallace Collection.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a similar role, preferably in the arts and heritage sector.
• Line Management experience.

How to Apply

Please complete the Application Form, and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, following the links provided on our website. Please note the equal opportunities form is used for monitoring purposes only and does not form part of the selection process. Both forms should be emailed to by midnight 20/07/2025. Please note late applications or applications via a CV will not be considered.

Interviews for the role will take place on, 30/07/2025. Candidates who have been shortlisted for interview will be contacted after the closing date. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it will not be possible to contact or give feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted for interview.

Start date: As soon as possible

Appointment to the role is subject to a satisfactory Basic Disclosure check. The Wallace Collection is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.