Development Officer

Applications close 10pm Sunday 4 January 2026. Successful shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an initial interview on 21 or 22 January 2026. We can provide a BSL interpreter if required.

The Role

Responsible to: Senior Grants Manager
Working Closely with: Development Manager, Development Director

General Description: This role will be part of BAC’s Development Team. It may be expected to contribute to a range of workstreams, but the role will primarily support on all our fundraising work as set out below. This is a hugely exciting time to join BAC as we prepare for a boundary-pushing 2026 programme and take on the leadership of the London International Festival of Theatre. The fundraising team at BAC is small but works across all aspects of the organisation – this is a fantastic opportunity to understand more about the role of fundraising within an arts centre, working with colleagues across BAC and a wide variety of external stakeholders.

We are looking for someone organised and efficient, with a high attention to detail and the ability to adapt quickly. The ideal candidate will be able to work on their own initiative and carry out effective research, whilst also being responsive to being set with multiple tasks. You will be an active part of the development team at BAC; by working on day-to-day administration, liaising with a wide variety of stakeholders, helping to run cultivation events for our supporters, and supporting with bid-writing, this is an opportunity to learn and help contribute towards financial targets. You may have already worked in an administrative role and are keen to learn more about development. You may have worked in a role with the relevant transferable skills as you look to move into the cultural sector, in a busy arts centre. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

The culture at BAC is a collaborative and open one. We work in an open plan space with no closed private offices and frequently work across teams and roles. We are lucky to have an outdoor terrace adjoined to the office which is particularly nice in the summer months. There’s a good culture of people taking lunch breaks away from desks and two equipped kitchen and eating areas where the team tend to spend their down time. We organise regular social events and things can get competitive at our annual sports day and Christmas quiz. Though to be clear, spectating is respected as much as taking part here at BAC!

Role Responsibilities

• To pro‑actively support with the delivery of BAC’s fundraising strategy
• To lead on BAC Development team’s administrative and day-to-day tasks
• To support the Development team in conducting detailed prospecting
• To assist the Development team in delivering Supporter Events across BAC’s live programme

Management and Administration Responsibilities

• Events:
• To lead on internal logistics and organisation such as booking relevant spaces, catering, and ticket allocations
• To manage guest lists, RSVPs and ticket bookings
• To prepare briefing notes
• To send invites and ‘save the dates’ for events to supporters, senior stakeholders and prospects
• To assist and attend Events as and when appropriate
• Individual Giving, Corporate and Trusts & Foundations:
• Support with individual queries from fundraising stakeholders (such as ticket bookings, administrating renewals etc)
• Manage and process donations, grants and renewals across all levels of giving and income streams
• Ensuring supporters are credited appropriately across BAC's website and foyer
• Assist with planning and delivery of BAC’s annual giving campaign
• Provide comms support around creating monthly newsletters and upcoming on‑sales
• Support with collating information and drafting of proposals & fundraising decks
• Research:
• Research new prospects across individuals, corporates and trusts & foundations
• Carry out due diligence screening of prospective gifts
• Regular benchmarking across the sector
• General Administrative Support:
• Helping to maintain records on BAC’s CRM database (Spektrix)
• Support in ensuring crediting is up to date
• Support the Development team to ensure processes are reviewed, efficient and streamlined

General Tasks

• Be an active participant in BAC’s wider creative life, attending performances and events, and supporting the venue’s public-facing activities.
• Contribute to staff meetings, cross-team collaborations, and organisational initiatives that support BAC’s mission and continuous improvement culture.
• Maintain professional development, staying informed of trends in hospitality, retail, and event services to bring fresh ideas and improvements.
• Ensure that BAC’s values of inclusivity, sustainability, and generosity are reflected in all aspects of your work and team leadership.
• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required by the leadership of BAC.

Person Specification

When we shortlist, we use these criteria to select the best candidates.

Knowledge: the understanding of a subject or information that a candidate has

• Essential: High standard of IT skills including Microsoft Word and Excel
• Desirable: Knowledge of CRM systems (BAC uses Spektrix)

Experience: the practical application of the knowledge that a candidate has acquired through working or living

• Essential: No prior experience in fundraising is needed but looking for demonstrable interest in fundraising and/or arts management
• Administrative experience with ability to plan tasks, achieve deadlines and prioritise effectively
• Customer facing experience, with excellent communication skills and ease interacting with a range of different stakeholders

Skills: the specific abilities that a candidate has acquired through practice or training

• Essential: Excellent numeracy skills
• Able to work with accuracy and speed
• Meticulous eye for detail; good proof‑reader
• Excellent presentation of work
• Friendly and approachable
• Enthusiastic and pro‑active
• Enjoys researching and identifying prospective supporters and funders

Values: the behaviours a candidate should be able to demonstrate

BAC's values reflect the motto inscribed on the walls of our old Town Hall building “Not for me, not for you, but for us”. We are inclusive and kind. We expect all our staff to live this motto in their approach to work and BAC's mission.

Terms & Conditions

• This role is 5 days a week Monday-Friday; usual office hours are 10am-6pm. We offer flexible working where possible. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required.
• All staff at Battersea Arts Centre are expected to attend performances and events and be a part of the artistic life of the organisation.
• Salary: £28,000 gross per annum
• Hours: 35 hours per week, excluding a daily one-hour lunch break
• Overtime: No overtime payments; TOIL system
• Annual Leave: 4 weeks per year, pro rata (5 weeks following one full year of service)
• Probation period: 6 months, with a 3 month review
• Notice period: 1 month
• Contract Period: Permanent
• Pension Scheme: BAC’s pension scheme provided by NEST
• Staff Benefits: Complimentary tickets (subject to availability and staff ticket policy), Employment Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured, Cycle to Work Scheme, Discount in the BAC cafe (subject to discount policy), 5 Development Days (pro rata)