Development Assistant in Chichester

Join CFT as our Development Assistant and play a key role in growing the theatre’s fundraising income by supporting campaigns, nurturing donor relationships, and helping to deliver events that spark excitement and generosity. We’re seeking an organised and people-focused individual to provide high‑quality administrative, data, finance, and stewardship support across the Development department, ensuring the smooth operation of the team while assisting on events and campaigns. If you love the arts, notice the details, enjoy being helpful, and are energised by working with others, we’d love to hear from you.

Job Purpose

To deliver effective administrative, data and supporter services that enable the successful running of Development activity, ensuring accurate records, strong donor relationships, efficient income processing and well‑coordinated events.

Key Responsibilities

• General Administration
  • Provide day-to-day administrative support to the Development team, including support for appeal and campaigns.
  • Support the Development Director with diary management and meeting coordination.
  • Coordinate Development Committee meetings, including minute‑taking and preparing paperwork.
  • Schedule and support team and inter‑departmental meetings, ensuring actions are followed up.
  • Maintain shared folders/mailboxes, digital filing and internal organisation systems.
  • Handle general office duties and additional tasks as needed.
• Database & Data Management
  • Support the team in maintaining accurate donor/supporter records in Spektrix in line with GDPR.
  • Support the team to record donations, pledges, contact reports and communications.
  • Support improvements to database processes and data accuracy.
• Supporter and Sponsor Stewardship
  • Serve as first contact for donor and sponsor enquiries.
  • Prepare acknowledgements and thank‑you communications.
  • Monitor and record donor attendance and activity.
  • Track Trusts reporting activity and keep records up to date.
• Income Processing & Finance Administration
  • Accurately process income and reconcile with Finance.
  • Assist with Direct Debit processing.
  • Assist with Gift Aid declarations and claims.
  • Support invoice processing and income monies.
  • Assist with monthly expenditure and credit‑card reconciliation.
• Events Support
  • Assist and support with planning and delivery of Development events.
  • Support the Event Manager on Supporters’ Evenings and behind‑the‑scenes events.
  • Manage RSVPs, guest lists and event communications.
  • Prepare briefing notes and follow‑up documentation.
  • Represent CFT at events and act as an ambassador.

Person Specification

• Strong administrative and organisational skills.
• Experience using Microsoft 365.
• Professional and confident communicator.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Understanding of data protection requirements in fundraising.
• Interest in the arts and fundraising.
• Experience in fundraising, membership or customer service.
• Experience using CRM systems (Spektrix).
• Experience with event support or income processing.
• Knowledge of Gift Aid processes.
• Knowledge of GDPR best practice.

A few more things... The role is based at Chichester Festival Theatre, working 10am–6pm Monday–Friday with flexibility for evening/weekend events (TOIL available). We’re an Equal Opportunities employer. We embrace and celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skillsets. We passionately believe that the more diverse and inclusive we are, the better we’ll be as a company, an employer, a community hub and a theatre. We actively encourage applications from people that have been traditionally under‑represented in the arts. We really value people who will bring unique perspectives and will add new knowledge to our team. The Theatre has an equality of opportunity approach and aspires to give everyone the chance to achieve their potential. You may already have seen that CFT are Disability Confident and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture. We welcome applications from individuals with disabilities and are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process, including making reasonable adjustments to support all candidates, and offering an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role. CFT have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer practice across our organisation. All appointments are made subject to satisfactory reference and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.