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- Tasks: Lead fundraising efforts and inspire a dedicated team to secure sustainable income for Scottish Opera.
- Company: Scottish Opera is Scotland's national opera company, known for innovative productions and audience engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, pension contributions, health plans, free performances, and discounted tickets!
- Why this job: Join a passionate team making a social impact through the arts while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Significant fundraising experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for the performing arts are essential.
- Other info: This is a full-time, permanent role based in Glasgow with occasional travel across Scotland.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 64800 £ per year.
Fundraising Development Director
Location: Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow and occasional travel to other locations across Scotland
Salary: Competitive remuneration package for the right candidate
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week, 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Benefits: Flexible / Hybrid working available, Employer Pension contribution of up to 8%, Health Cash Plan, Perkbox, Employee Assistance Program, Cycle to work, Free access to dress rehearsal performances and Discounted performance tickets!
Scottish Opera is Scotland\’s national opera company, known for its innovative productions and commitment to bringing opera to audiences across the country.
Based in Glasgow, our mission is to engage, inspire, and entertain through the power of opera.
We are now recruiting for an experienced Fundraising Development Director to lead our fundraising efforts and ensure we have sustainable income for the organisation.
You will oversee a dedicated team of seven fundraising professionals and work collaboratively across departments to drive our philanthropic strategy forward.
Your main responsibility will be developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to generate sustainable income across all fundraising areas, including Individual Giving, Major Gifts, Legacies, Corporate Partnerships and Trusts and Foundations.
You’ll lead and inspire the Development team, creating and delivering a clear strategy aligned with our business plan and long-term objectives.
Key responsibilities include:
Leadership & Management
Lead, inspire, and motivate the Development team, ensuring the group works cohesively to meet fundraising goals. Provide management and strategic direction for the team while fostering a supportive, high-performance environment.
Fundraising Strategy
Develop, implement, and manage a clear Development strategy that aligns with Scottish Opera’s business plan and long-term objectives. This includes setting and achieving an income target of £1.7 million for 2025/26, with an annual growth target of 5% thereafter.
Major Gifts & Donor Stewardship
- Lead efforts to identify research and cultivate relationships with major gift prospects.
- Oversee the creation of personalised stewardship plans and ensure a high level of engagement with key donors.
- Ensure assiduous management and stewardship of all relationships within the Development Aegis, maintaining excellent records and conducting regular analysis of these relationships to ensure sustained engagement and long-term support.
Case for Support
Work closely with the General Director and Board to refresh and articulate the Case for Support for Scottish Opera, ensuring alignment with our vision and goals.
Campaign Management
Collaborate with the General Director to create a comprehensive Major Gifts campaign, including proposals, donor engagement strategies, and targeted initiatives to secure significant contributions.
Corporate Partnerships & Trusts
Develop and manage relationships with corporate partners and trusts to secure funding and sponsorships. Ensure these relationships are nurtured and that partnerships are mutually beneficial.
Team Development & Support
Provide leadership and support to the Development team, ensuring they have the resources, skills, and motivation to succeed. This includes regular performance management and mentoring.
Reporting & Analysis
Regularly report on fundraising progress to the General Director and Board, ensuring transparency and accountability. Provide accurate data and analysis on fundraising activity to help refine strategies and meet targets.
Event Participation
Attend key Scottish Opera events, rehearsals, and performances to engage with supporters and enhance fundraising efforts.
Continuous Improvement
Monitor and evaluate best practices in fundraising, ensuring Scottish Opera’s development activities remain innovative and effective.
In order to be successful in this role, it’s essential that you have:
- Significant experience in fundraising, particularly in securing major gifts and cultivating long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals.
- A proven record of successfully leading and managing a fundraising team, with at least three years of experience in a senior role.
- Strong knowledge of best practices in major donor prospect research, cultivation, and stewardship.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write persuasive and compelling proposals and reports.
- Experience in developing and delivering fundraising strategies, with clear accountability for meeting financial targets.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- A commitment to maintaining high standards of professionalism and confidentiality.
It would be great if you had:
- A passion for opera and the performing arts.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- A professional qualification in fundraising (e.g. CFRE or similar).
- Experience in managing corporate partnerships and trust fundraising.
If you feel you have the necessary skills and experience to be successful in this role click on \”APPLY\” today, forwarding an up to date copy of your CV for consideration in the first instance.
No agencies please.
Scottish Opera | Fundraising Development Director employer: Scottish Opera
Contact Detail:
Scottish Opera Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Scottish Opera | Fundraising Development Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with Scottish Opera's mission and recent fundraising campaigns. Understanding their unique approach to engaging audiences will help you align your strategies with their goals during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the arts and fundraising sectors. Attend events or join online forums related to fundraising for the performing arts to gain insights and potentially connect with current employees at Scottish Opera.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led fundraising initiatives in the past. Highlight your experience with major gifts and donor stewardship, as these are crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your passion for opera and the arts during your interactions. This enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your commitment to Scottish Opera's mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Scottish Opera | Fundraising Development Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in fundraising, particularly in securing major gifts and managing teams. Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in these areas.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for opera and the performing arts. Clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities of the Fundraising Development Director role.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Emphasize your leadership and management experience in your application. Provide examples of how you have motivated and inspired teams to achieve fundraising goals.
Showcase Communication Skills: Demonstrate your excellent written and verbal communication skills by including persuasive proposals or reports you've created in the past. This will show your ability to engage with donors effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Opera
✨Show Your Passion for Opera
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for opera and the performing arts during the interview. Share any personal experiences or connections you have with Scottish Opera, as this will demonstrate your genuine interest in the organization and its mission.
✨Highlight Your Fundraising Successes
Prepare specific examples of your past fundraising achievements, particularly in securing major gifts and cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals. Be ready to discuss how you met or exceeded financial targets in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed and motivated a fundraising team in the past. Highlight any strategies you've implemented to foster a high-performance environment.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Understand the key components of a successful fundraising strategy and be ready to discuss how you would develop and implement one for Scottish Opera. Familiarize yourself with their current fundraising efforts and think about innovative ideas you could bring to the table.
