Fundraising Manager in Belfast

The Lyric Theatre enjoys a special place within Northern Ireland’s artistic landscape. As a prolific production house, the Lyric is the beating cultural heart of Northern Ireland – inspiring and entertaining audiences with both new and established plays and helping to launch the careers of some of our most famous actors, directors, and playwrights. The Lyric is a playhouse for all. We are a shared civic space for artists and audiences alike; a creative hub for theatre-making, nurturing talent and promoting the critical role of the arts in society.

Purpose of the Post

The Fundraising Manager is a senior operational role within the theatre’s Development and Marketing team, responsible for the effective delivery and implementation of the Lyric’s fundraising activity. Working closely with the Head of Development & Marketing, the post holder will lead the day-to-day management of fundraising programmes across fundraising bodies, Trusts and Foundations, individual giving, corporate partnership and fundraising events, ensuring activity is well planned, delivered on time and meets agreed income and engagement objectives. The role will play a key delivery role in the Lyric’s Fund for the Future fundraising initiative, supporting campaign implementation, donor stewardship and reporting, and helping to build sustainable, long-term income for the organisation. The Fundraising Manager will lead on fundraising events, manage and steward key donor and funder relationships, monitor income performance, and work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, particularly Creative Learning, Finance, Front of House and Production teams.

Benefits

• Additional paid day off for your birthday
• Access to a free, confidential counselling service through our Employment Assistance Programme.
• Free beverages from our café/bar.
• Discounted food from our café/bar.
• Free tickets for Lyric productions.
• Free period products in all bathrooms.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

FUNDRAISING

• Deliver agreed fundraising plans and priorities, working closely with the Head of Development & Marketing.
• Lead the day-to-day delivery of the Fund for the Future initiative, including donor stewardship, events, reporting and supporter engagement.
• Manage the operational delivery of individual giving and membership activity, including Lyric+ Membership.
• Manage and steward a portfolio of donors, funders and sponsors, acting as day-to-day relationship lead as agreed.
• Monitor, track and report on fundraising income and performance against agreed targets.
• Manage fundraising pipelines, deadlines and project plans to ensure timely delivery.
• Support the development, writing and submission of funding applications, sponsorship proposals and donor communications.
• Ensure accurate record keeping, compliance and reporting across all fundraising activity.
• Work with the Finance department to ensure accurate allocation, coding and reporting of fundraising income, in line with best practice and compliance requirements.
• Ensure all fundraising activity complies with GDPR, fundraising regulations and ethical standards.

EVENT MANAGEMENT

• Take operational lead on the planning and delivery of fundraising events, ensuring they are delivered to budget, schedule and agreed objectives.
• Manage suppliers, logistics, budgets and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor, track and report on event income, liaising with Finance on invoicing, cash donations and sponsorships.
• Lead post-event evaluation and reporting, including income performance, return on investment and supporter engagement.

SALES & MARKETING

• Work closely with the Marketing team to deliver fundraising campaigns and communications. Manage communications for all donors and supporters, ensuring a high standard of stewardship.
• Keep up-to-date with developments and best practice in fundraising within the charity and arts sectors.
• Ensure all donor records are accurate, up to date and compliant with data protection legislation. Provide content and insight to support marketing activity, including funding success stories, impact reporting and donor recognition.

Personnel Specification

Essential Criteria

• A degree-level qualification and a minimum of 3 years’ experience in fundraising, development, marketing or a related environment; OR at least 4 years’ relevant professional experience in fundraising, development or income generation.
• Proven experience of planning, managing and delivering fundraising activity with measurable outcomes.
• First-class written and verbal communication skills, including experience of writing persuasive funding applications or donor communications.
• Demonstrable ability to build and maintain relationships with people from all backgrounds, including excellent networking and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience of event planning and delivery.
• Experience of project management.
• Strong organisational skills, with experience of managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• High level of IT literacy, including CRM systems and Microsoft Office.
• Competence in all marketing and CRM channels, such as DotDigital, LinkedIn and Craft CMS.

Desirable Criteria

• Proven track record in fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Experience of making successful fundraising asks.
• Experience of raising income through fundraising events.
• Experience of contributing to or delivering a strategic or future-focused fundraising campaign.
• Experience of using Spektrix, including Opportunities and reporting.
• Experience of working in, or strong interest in, theatre and the arts.

Location: Lyric Theatre, Belfast

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Working hours are 37.5 per week (excluding breaks), normally worked between 9am to 5pm. Due to the nature of the business the post holder will also be required to work occasional evenings and weekends. Time off in lieu will be granted for any work done on a statutory holiday.

Salary: £31,500 - £34,500 (plus 3% pension contribution) per annum, dependent on experience.