Closing date - 11 April 2025
Interviews - w/c 28 April 2025 (subject to change)
Salary - from £60,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

To arrange a confidential conversation about this role please contact Vicki Grace, Director of Recruitment and Organisational Change at Achates who is supporting us with this process. You can reach Vicki by emailing vicki@achates.org.uk

Philanthropy Director Job Pack - download here

As Philanthropy Director, you will lead the team in delivering a successful fundraising strategy that supports Factory International and our new venue, Aviva Studios. Building on an established fundraising operation for our biennial Festival, you will shape the future of fundraising for Aviva Studios and its many possibilities. This includes securing funds through targeted Individual Giving at regional, national, and international levels (across low, mid, and major tiers) and engaging with Trusts and Foundations.

The role works collaboratively with teams and departments across the organisation to achieve Factory International’s philanthropic fundraising targets and ambitions. It also involves close engagement with the Factory International board, colleagues, and external partners.

We are seeking an experienced fundraiser who excels in relationship building and strategic thinking. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of delivering results and identifying growth opportunities in a developing area of fundraising. They will demonstrate entrepreneurial thinking and be a strong advocate for networking and relationship building, working with teams to secure significant income from philanthropic sources.

The role is responsible for leading a dedicated and hard-working team, fostering a positive and high-performing environment. A key aspect of the position is leading by example — demonstrating a proactive approach, inspiring action, and motivating the team to achieve departmental targets. The successful candidate will be expected to cultivate a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement to drive strong results.

To arrange a confidential conversation about this role please contact Vicki Grace, Director of Recruitment and Organisational Change at Achates who is supporting us with this process. You can reach Vicki by emailing vicki@achates.org.uk

The key responsibilities for the Philanthropy Director include;

• Managing the Philanthropy Fundraising Team with a primary focus on our Individual Giving, Major Gifts and a comprehensive Trust and Foundations portfolio
• Setting the strategy and management of campaigns that achieve and exceed Factory International’s long term multi-million-pound Philanthropy Fundraising targets set out in the organisation’s business plan
• Optimising data and reporting including the management and tracking of KPIs, budgeting and forecasting
• Servicing and working together with public sector partners (eg MCC, Salford City Council, ACE, GMCA) where they require benefits commensurate with fundraising
• Working closely with the Executive team, Factory International Board, Creative Engagement, Factory Academy and International Teams, and many others, to maximise fundraising opportunities
• Becoming an active member of the team, ensuring that relationships with other teams are strong and cohesive to further the fundraising income generational goals. Driving a culture of philanthropy throughout the organisation
• Be an advocate for fundraising best practice internally and externally
• Help develop further fundraising processes and procedures to ensure the team is effective and efficient
  

Individual Giving

• Working closely with the Philanthropy Manger you will provide strategic oversight and support of an evolving Individual Giving programme. With direct portfolio management and stewardship responsibilities
• Building a major donor programme to secure five, six and seven-figure gifts
• Ensure that all giving is maximised, including development and execution of fundraising campaigns, events, In venue fundraising, legacies and online donation

Trusts & Foundations

• Working closely with the Trust and Foundation Manager to drive strategic and compelling Trust & Foundation approaches to trusts across the UK and beyond where relevant
• Ensuring the Trust and Foundation Strategy delivers a mixture of core, existing and newly identified funding needs
• Maintaining good relationships with delivery teams within Factory International

The person specification for the Philanthropy Director are;

ESSENTIAL

• Demonstrable experience of generating significant fundraising income, achieving and exceeding targets from philanthropic relationships, trusts or sales team strategy
• Experience of leading a fundraising team across, individuals and trust & foundations to deliver an overall team target at the 7 figure level per annum
• An experienced senior manager with exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to support, influence, motivate and inspire confidence with colleagues and a range of external and internal stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience in developing successful campaign strategy and delivery, event activation and engagement, exceptional stewardship
• Proven experience in overseeing effective prospect research and pipeline management, which has resulted in income growth
• A strong understanding of budgets, financial reporting and strategies. Ability to record, analyse and present financial data in a clear and accurate format
• Commitment to championing representation and inclusion at every level of the organisation with a proven ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds
• Working with high level Boards, Trustees and Executive

DESIRABLE

• Experience in leading operational transition from a high-value capital gift strategy to revenue driving strategy
• Technical Proficiency with CRM related systems
• Strategic and innovative thinker and operational doer, who thinks outside of the current norms and processes
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• An active interest in the arts and creative sector to maximise donor engagement
• Enthusiasm for training, mentoring and support of emerging talent