Head of Development and Partnerships: Colchester, UK

The Head of Development and Partnerships plays a key role in delivering sustaining and increasing income for the Mercury Theatre across both subsidised and commercial activities and projects. This role is responsible for implementing funding strategies and securing support from a variety of sources including trusts and foundations, statutory and lottery funds, individual donors, sponsorships, corporate partnerships and commercial investments. It also oversees the growth and stewardship of membership schemes and fundraising events, collaborating closely with colleagues across departments to maximise funding opportunities.

Income Generation and Fundraising Strategy Implementation

• Lead on securing income to meet financial targets from:
• Trusts and Foundations
• Statutory funders and lottery sources
• Individual giving and legacies
• Public sector strategic partnerships
• Corporate partnerships
• Commercial co‑production investment
• The membership schemes
• Development and maintenance of corporate partnerships
• Support the large‑scale projects and ongoing revenue opportunities
• Develop and maintain effective donor journeys and stewardship practices
• Work closely with the Commercial and Operations Director to develop a new commercial strategy to grow hires and events
• Identify potential partnership opportunities to support and engage commercial producers to premiere and present their work at the Mercury

Responsibilities

Trusts and Foundations

• Identify, research and build relationships with new funding opportunities
• Write proposals, manage key relationships, fulfil reporting requirements
• Assist with the preparation of large trust applications
• Support any capital appeals
• Identify and develop ongoing revenue opportunities as required
• Regularly update key stakeholders with accurate, branded and professional correspondence

Statutory Funds

• Research relevant funding schemes and prepare tailored applications
• Build strong working relationships with public sector and lottery bodies
• Track application progress and fulfil all reporting and communication obligations

Corporate Partnerships

• Identify and engage corporate partners to support our work both locally and nationally
• Support the growth of our Corporate Partnership Scheme including preparing presentations and proposals, managing relationships, reporting and branded correspondence
• Oversee associated schemes such as employee engagement, volunteering and in‑kind support from the sector
• Provide partners with regular updates, offers and priority sale information
• Provide complimentary tickets to relevant stakeholders including corporate partners, VIPs and press
• Ensure that information on our website and all other channels of communication is up to date and impactful
• Identify and acknowledge larger donations with thank you correspondence and encourage future support

Research

• Use a range of research tools to identify potential supporters to the Mercury, including individuals, grant‑making trusts and companies
• Research existing and potential individual donors and maintain a “watching brief” over high‑value funders and grant‑making bodies
• Monitor sector developments and policy changes related to fundraising and Gift Aid

Individual Giving

• Support the Chief Executive to implement our individual giving strategy
• Act as a key contact for legacy giving and in memoriam donations
• Deliver excellent supporter care and stewardship
• Manage membership schemes and steward donors through events and regular updates
• Encourage high‑level members to further support our work
• Support the Senior Management Team in developing and delivering fundraising events
• Collaborate with colleagues and oversee event logistics and delivery as needed

Communications

• Oversee planning and ensure timely submission of all funding proposals and reports
• Ensure accurate and up‑to‑date database and financial records
• Collaborate with marketing on the development of fundraising materials and communications
• Ensure the Support Us pages of the website are correct and up to date

Finance and Reporting

• Monitor, process, and report departmental income and expenditure
• Prepare regular updates to the Chief Executive and contribute to reports as requested
• Prepare regular financial updates and ad hoc reports for the Senior Management Team
• Provide regular reports to funders and SMT as required
• Maintain accurate records in Spektrix for each funding area

General Duties

• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of the Theatre’s wider artistic programme, including its Creative Engagement activities
• Represent the Mercury at relevant local, regional or national meetings or bodies
• Maintain positive and effective relationships with colleagues across the organisation
• Adhere to all Mercury Theatre policies including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, and environmental policies
• Attend and contribute to staff meetings and/or training sessions
• Undertake any further duties as may be reasonably requested

This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required in this position. It is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and does not preclude change or development that might be required in the future. It does not form part of the contract of employment.

Person Specification

• Self‑disciplined, organised and self‑motivated
• Ability to coordinate a varied workload in a complex environment
• Great team member regularly contributing ideas and supporting others
• Adaptable and open to innovative ideas and approaches
• Resilient under pressure and able to manage competing deadlines
• Excellent people skills, with the ability to build rapport and communicate at all levels
• Commercial awareness and able to identify income opportunities
• Analytical, with attention to detail and an ability to see the broader picture
• Proven experience of securing income in a fundraising context
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience building and maintaining successful partnerships
• History of completing successful funding applications
• Demonstrable experience working with trusts, foundations, individual donors, and corporate partners
• Ability to manage a demanding and varied workload successfully
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Strong research and prospect development skills
• Confident in approaching and networking with individuals at all levels
• Experience of fundraising within the arts or charity sectors
• Creative in identifying new income streams and partnership opportunities
• Experience of working with relational databases or CRM systems
• Familiarity with prospect research tools and techniques

Outline of Terms and Conditions

• Salary: £34,000 to £38,000 (depending on experience)
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week. The post may require occasional evening and weekend work to attend shows, meetings, and events. Time off in lieu is available.
• Annual leave: 20 days per year plus statutory bank holidays. After one year’s service the entitlement increases by one day each year up to a maximum of 25 days at five years’ service.
• Probationary period: Six months
• Notice period: One month during probation and then three months by either party.
• Pension: The Mercury operates a pension scheme that meets the government’s requirements under auto‑enrolment.

Benefits

• Discount on drinks and meals in the Mercury’s bar
• Access to a discounted staff menu in the café bar
• Interest‑free season ticket loan
• Attendance at performances with an allocation of tickets to employees (subject to availability and the Mercury’s ticket policy)

How to Apply

To apply for this post, please send a letter of no more than 2 sides of A4, explaining what attracts you to this position, and evidence of your ability to meet the job description and person specification. In addition, with your application, please supply:

• Your CV
• Names and contact details for two employment/professional referees; however, we will not take up references until an offer has been made.

Applications should be submitted via Staffology by 10am on Monday, 18 May 2026. Interviews will take place on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. The Mercury Theatre is an equal opportunities employer and actively promotes diversity in the staff team. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.