At a Glance
- Tasks: Ignite partnerships and funding for innovative arts programmes that change lives.
- Company: Join an award-winning charity dedicated to creativity and social impact.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, retail discounts, travel perks, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Lead groundbreaking projects that empower communities through arts and creativity.
- Qualifications: Experience in fundraising, bid writing, and project management in the arts sector.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a strong focus on employee feedback and growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Be the spark that turns creativity into impact. Help Age Exchange grow arts & heritage programmes that change lives in social care. Age Exchange—embedded in social care and powered by the arts—is hiring a Business Development Manager to ignite partnerships and funding that deliver innovative programmes across the UK. If you come from museums, galleries, archives or cultural organisations and can spot opportunities, craft compelling bids and open doors fast, this is your stage. Lead the growth of projects that boost health, wellbeing, learning and social connection—so creativity reaches the people who need it most.
The role will require someone who can work from our head office in Blackheath and the role will include some national travel; the ideal candidate will be based within an hour's commute of the Community Hub in Blackheath, London.
What is The Deal for you?
- Flexibility! 35 hours per week over 5 days with some weekend work.
- Location: Based within a commutable distance to our Community Hub in Blackheath, London.
- Benefits: retail discounts, holiday discounts, cycle to work scheme and travel discounts through our benefits app.
- Best Lives Possible: You’ll be working for an award-winning charity passionate about ensuring our colleagues and the people we support lead the best lives possible.
- Development: We’ll work with you to develop your career or to learn and experience new things. We’re passionate about developing our people.
- Support: From our Employee Assistance Programme (available 24/7), financial support options, and wellbeing fund you’ll have support to lead an easier (financial) life.
This role will design and secure a portfolio of national and local strategically aligned, market-relevant and impactful programmes which use arts, culture and creativity to achieve a positive impact on our target audiences. These programmes will empower the health, wellbeing, learning, social mobility and social connection of people supported by Age Exchange and Community Integrated Care. The role holder will play an essential role in leading the growth, reach and sustainability of Age Exchange by generating funding and commercial revenue and new partnerships.
What You’ll Do (list Not Exhaustive)
- Win funding & partnerships that fuel our programmes and core costs—trusts & foundations, corporates/sponsorships, individual giving, and earned income.
- Build and manage a high-quality pipeline—prospect, cultivate, write compelling bids/proposals, negotiate, and steward partners.
- Collaborate across the delivery team—aligning with colleagues so proposed projects and tenders are fundable, impactful, and on-brand.
- Report outcomes & learn—own quarterly KPI reporting and iterate approaches to hit clear income and partnership targets.
Our Ideal Candidate
- Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
- Proven success in bid writing and securing projects/tenders of ÂŁ250k+.
- Strong experience in fundraising, commercial development, and project management within a funded environment.
- Creative thinker with the ability to design innovative programmes aligned to strategic objectives.
- Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills, with experience engaging stakeholders at senior levels.
- Skilled communicator and presenter, able to craft compelling proposals and pitches.
- Proficiency in MS Office and project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet).
- Bring proven success in the arts or heritage sector (e.g., museums, galleries, performing arts, creative health, community arts) with a track record of securing grants and/or sponsorships.
- Are a confident storyteller and bid writer who can turn creative ideas into fundable, strategically aligned propositions.
Why join us?
- Be part of a nationally recognised charity making a real difference in people’s lives.
- Lead ground-breaking projects that combine creativity and social impact.
- Work in a collaborative, values-driven environment with opportunities for professional growth.
Success In This Role Means
- Meeting funding and growth targets.
- Delivering a diverse portfolio of innovative programmes.
- Enhancing the charity’s profile through impactful projects and partnerships.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now and help us shape a future where arts and creativity empower communities across the UK.
Please note, if you are interested in this role, we welcome your application as soon as possible. Depending on the volume of applications received, the vacancy may be closed before the expected advertising end date.
We’re really proud to be a Hive HR Employee Voice Certified organisation, a recognition that confirms our commitment to creating a culture where our colleagues are not only encouraged to share their thoughts, but where this feedback is actively sought and acted upon to drive positive change at every level.
Business Development Manager in Colchester employer: Community integrated care
Contact Detail:
Community integrated care Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Manager in Colchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the arts and heritage sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential partners or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities!
✨Tip Number 2
Craft your pitch! When you get the chance to present your ideas, make it count. Tailor your message to resonate with your audience, highlighting how your creative programmes can make a real impact. Remember, storytelling is key—make them feel the passion behind your proposals!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up! After meetings or networking events, send a quick thank-you email or message. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm. Plus, it’s a great way to remind them of your skills and what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay proactive! Keep an eye on funding opportunities and partnerships that align with Age Exchange’s mission. Use our website to apply for roles and stay updated on new openings. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Manager in Colchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for arts and social care shine through. We want to see how your creativity can make a real impact, so share your personal connection to the cause!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in fundraising and project management. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission, so don’t hold back on those specific examples!
Craft Compelling Bids: Since bid writing is key for this role, take the time to showcase your skills in this area. Use clear, persuasive language and structure your proposals well—show us you can turn ideas into fundable projects!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Community integrated care
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Age Exchange's mission and current projects. Familiarise yourself with their arts and heritage programmes, and think about how your experience in museums or cultural organisations can contribute to their goals. This will show that you're genuinely interested and ready to make an impact.
✨Craft Compelling Stories
As a Business Development Manager, storytelling is key. Prepare examples of past successes where you've secured funding or built partnerships. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easy for the interviewer to see your achievements and how they relate to the role.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
This role is all about innovation, so be ready to discuss creative ideas for programmes that align with Age Exchange's objectives. Think outside the box and come prepared with a few concepts that could enhance health, wellbeing, and social connection through the arts.
✨Engage and Connect
Building relationships is crucial in this position. During the interview, demonstrate your excellent communication skills by actively listening and engaging with the interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their current projects and how you can contribute, showing that you're not just there to talk about yourself but also to understand their needs.