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- Tasks: Lead fundraising initiatives and manage donor relationships to support the Lyric Theatre.
- Company: Join the Lyric Theatre, a cultural hub in Northern Ireland's artistic scene.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, extra birthday leave, free tickets, and discounted food.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the arts while developing your career in fundraising.
- Qualifications: Experience in fundraising or marketing, with strong communication and project management skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a creative environment.
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.
- Work with the Finance department to ensure accurate allocation, coding and reporting of fundraising income, in line with best practice and compliance requirements.
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 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).
Salary: £31,500 - £34,500 (plus 3% pension contribution) per annum, dependent on experience.
Fundraising Manager employer: Lyric Theatre
Contact Detail:
Lyric Theatre Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fundraising Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend events, workshops, or even casual meet-ups related to fundraising and the arts. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Fundraising Manager role at the Lyric.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for the arts! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for theatre shine through. They want someone who truly cares about their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the Lyric Theatre’s past fundraising campaigns. Bring ideas to the table on how you could contribute to their Fund for the Future initiative. It’ll show you’re proactive and ready to hit the ground running!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Fundraising Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Fundraising Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in fundraising, event management, and relationship building. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at the Lyric Theatre!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role requires first-class written communication, include examples of your persuasive funding applications or donor communications. We love seeing how you can engage and inspire others through your writing!
Be Organised and Detailed: Demonstrate your strong organisational skills by outlining how you've managed multiple projects or deadlines in the past. We appreciate candidates who can keep everything on track while delivering great results!
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 shows you’re keen to be part of our team at the Lyric Theatre!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lyric Theatre
✨Know Your Fundraising Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in fundraising, especially within the arts sector. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences and how they relate to the Lyric's mission. Show them you’re not just passionate about theatre but also have a solid understanding of effective fundraising strategies.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Fundraising Manager, you'll need to communicate effectively with donors and stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully written funding applications or managed donor communications in the past. This is your chance to demonstrate your first-class verbal and written skills!
✨Be Event-Ready
Since event management is a key part of this role, come prepared with examples of fundraising events you've planned and executed. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Highlight your organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
✨Build Rapport
The Lyric values relationships, so be ready to talk about how you've built and maintained connections with donors and sponsors. Share specific instances where your networking skills made a difference. Remember, they want to see that you can engage with people from all backgrounds!
