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- Tasks: Lead fundraising initiatives and build relationships to support our mission.
- Company: Join a unique charity within the UK's largest Benedictine community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, free lunch, and discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while working in a beautiful setting.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of fundraising experience and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 46000 £ per year.
Salary: Highly competitive, dependent on experience and skills (up to £40,000) + Benefits
Hours: Full-time, permanent
Based at YO62 Onsite with occasional remote working to be approved by line manager.
Closing date: 23rd February 2026
Benefits:
- Up to 8% employer-matched pension
- Life assurance
- Free lunch during working hours
- Free on-site parking
- 20% discount at the Abbey Shop
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Christmas Closure
About us:
We are home to the UKs largest Benedictine monastic community, rooted in the Rule of St Benedict. Our mission is to seek God through prayer and service, and to invite others to experience faith in action. Located in the Howardian Hills near York, the Abbey sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and welcomes thousands of visitors each year to its Retreat Centre, Visitor Centre, Shop and Tea Room. The Trust, a registered charity, works alongside the monastic community to support this mission. With around 60 lay staff, the Trust delivers on a five-year strategy, choosing a Future Together, to ensure a sustainable, faith-led future for the Abbey and its valley home.
We are seeking an experienced Development Manager with excellent relationship management skills to help develop and sustainably grow the impact of the Trust. You will develop and use stewardship tools to guide supporters through their giving journey, including cultivation plans, proposals and reports, managing donor communications and nurturing our community of support.
Main Responsibilities but not limited to:
- Develop a Fundraising Strategy in collaboration with the Head of Marketing, Communications and Development, to include individual giving, regular giving, legacies, major gifts, partnerships, grants, trusts and foundations.
- Develop and manage an Individual Giving Programme, using multiple forms of donor acquisition, ensuring high quality donor care and the achievement of agreed targets.
- Work with the Head of Marketing, Communications and Development to develop a Legacy Programme, managing the delivery of multichannel activities aiming to recruit, develop and maintain relationships with the public and our supporters for Legacy prospecting and outcomes.
- Support the development of a major donor portfolio, ensuring successful engagement of high-level individual donors with a view to securing major gifts.
- Manage the development and implementation of our corporate fundraising programme, building on current partnerships and securing new relationships with a range of partners.
- Work with the team and other colleagues to build the profile and ensure that we have developed a strong and compelling case for support, including the measurement of impact.
- Develop fundraising content and materials for a wide range of audiences and fundraising initiatives, ensuring that individual giving messaging is embedded across all touchpoints.
- Plan and manage the delivery of major fundraising appeals and campaigns, including the management and delivery of fundraising events where appropriate.
- Support the implementation and management of a fundraising database, ensuring high quality of data input and reporting.
- Manage the fundraising budget in line with objectives and KPIs, reporting monthly to the Head of Marketing, Communications and Development.
- Oversee donor communications and ensure excellent donor stewardship, including regular updates and responding to individual donor enquiries in a timely manner.
- Develop, implement and manage patron schemes for individuals and corporates, including recruitment, stewardship and the delivery of patron events.
- Pro-actively discover, identify and evaluate funding opportunities that align with the Marketing, Communications and Development Strategy and AATs long-term vision.
- Co-ordinate and craft persuasive and high-quality fundraising bids and applications for various funding sources, ranging from largest Trusts and Foundations to smaller grant opportunities.
- Manage successful and existing grants, including grant reporting and liaison with grant funders both during and after the application process.
- Work alongside the Head of Marketing, Communications & Development to build and nurture relationships with both prospective and existing partners and donors to drive sustainable growth and maintain high levels of engagement.
- Occasional joint working with colleagues at the St Lawrence Educational Trust on collaborative fundraising campaigns and initiatives.
- Represent AAT at relevant networking events and conferences alongside the Head of Marketing, Communications and Development, to expand networks, gather market insights, and increase the organisations community of support.
- Ensure staff and volunteers have the information they need to deliver on their roles and support the overall fundraising and development strategy.
- Ensure all fundraising opportunities and applications align with, and are sensitive to, the Abbeys mission, values and monastic identity.
- Ensure all fundraising activities are fully compliant, including data protection, Gift Aid, fundraising law and other relevance compliance issues.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties required in line with capabilities, the needs of the company, and the wider group.
Experience:
You will have:
- Experienced fundraiser with 5+ years experience
- Experience of fundraising in a charity context
- Experience of managing individual giving campaigns, including regular giving and legacies
- Experience of developing and managing fundraising events and campaigns
- Skilled bid writer with a proven track record of securing successful funding through grant opportunities, Trusts and Foundations
- Proven experience of excellent donor stewardship and managing supporter communications at all levels
- Proven experience of working within the charity, and/or faith-based organisations
- Effective planning, organisation, and time management
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (desirable)
Skills and Attributes:
You will bring:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire people at all levels
- The ability to build, develop and maintain relationships with individuals, partners and major stakeholders to achieve and exceed targets
- Strong influencing, negotiation and communication skills
- Effective organisational skills and an ability to manage and meet priorities with varying deadlines
- Financially literate with budget-management experience and the ability to track and report on fundraising income
- Ability and confidence to present to internal and external audiences
- Ability to write engaging, compelling copy for a range of audiences
- Experience of using CRM databases for segmentation and reporting to achieve fundraising goals
- Excellent Office 365 and IT skills
- Strong project management skills, with a track record of delivering multiple projects simultaneously
- A strong understanding of fundraising compliance and relevant legislation
- Results-driven and goal-oriented mindset
- Understands and is able to communicate the values of The Trust
- An empathy towards the work of the Monastic Community
- Personal resilience and ability to respond positively to pressure
- An agile, flexible and positive mindset
- Creativity, innovation and the ability to think outside the box
- Problem-solving abilities and clear thinking, with sound judgement; able to make effective decisions under pressure
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Ability to prioritise and manage multiple projects and competing demands simultaneously.
- Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced environment
- Effective planning, organisation and time management
- Integrity and diplomacy
- Proactive style and work ethic
- High professional standards, methodical and diligent, with a high attention to detail
The Trust is committed to the highest standards of safeguarding. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Interested? If you feel that you possess the relevant skills and experience, then please send your CV.
Development Manager in York employer: Equals One Ltd
Contact Detail:
Equals One Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Manager in York
✨Tip Number 1
Networking is key! Get out there and connect with people in the charity sector. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on your dream Development Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the mission! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express why you care about their cause. Authenticity goes a long way in making a memorable impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their fundraising strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can keep you top of mind. It’s also a great opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and the impact you hope to make as their next Development Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Manager in York
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Development Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in fundraising and relationship management, and don’t forget to showcase any successful campaigns you've led!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about our mission and how your skills align with the role. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements. Use numbers and examples to illustrate how you’ve successfully managed fundraising initiatives or built relationships with donors.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Equals One Ltd
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to understand the Abbey's mission and values. This will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in their work.
✨Showcase Your Fundraising Experience
Be ready to discuss specific examples of your past fundraising successes. Highlight your experience with individual giving campaigns and how you've managed donor relationships effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle certain situations, like managing a major donor or developing a fundraising strategy. Think through your approach and be prepared to share your thought process.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about their current fundraising strategies or how they measure success. This shows your engagement and eagerness to contribute.
