Development Manager

Be part of the vision; be part of RIBA.

RIBA is a global professional membership body, and a cultural organisation, driving excellence in architecture.

Salary: c£43,000 per annum, based upon experience and location

Location: London/Hybrid

Hours: 35 hours per week, full-time, permanent

We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven major gifts specialist to join our growing Development Team as we begin an ambitious fundraising campaign to support the future of RIBA and of architecture.

Why Join us?

This is an exciting time to be part of the RIBA Development Team.

We are embarking on RIBA’s biggest investment in nearly 100 years, the House of Architecture. Our vision is bold: to make architecture accessible, relevant and meaningful for everyone, and in doing so to support architects in their role to make the future a better place. We cannot do this alone. We seek philanthropy and partnerships to make it possible.

As Development Manager, you will be instrumental in driving our major gifts fundraising activity to help to deliver the House of Architecture campaign and wider development programmes.

What’s in it for you?

• The opportunity to play a pivotal role in a growing team securing philanthropic support for an ambitious cultural organisation.
• A rare chance to be part of a transformational fundraising campaign from an early stage.
• Support to grow and develop your skills, experience and knowledge.
• A great employee benefits package which includes (a) a generous pension scheme with employer contributions (up to 12%), (b) life assurance, (c) annual leave of 27 days plus bank holidays and paid closure of 3 discretionary days between Christmas and New Year. For more details on our benefits, please visit our website.

About the Role

As Development Manager you will have a key focus on major gift fundraising and play a vital role in delivering RIBA’s fundraising strategy and plan. Your main responsibility will be building relationships with, and securing gifts from, High Net Worth Individuals in support of the House of Architecture vision, working alongside colleagues and senior volunteers. You will also deliver research and donor stewardship and contribute to the team’s wider fundraising planning, strategy and activity.

What are we looking for?

• Experience in major donor fundraising and/or a similar discipline with proven success, comfortable soliciting high value donations and delivering excellent stewardship
• Experience of supporting the development and delivery of effective fundraising plans
• Excellent interpersonal skills, supporter focused with the ability to show empathy, tact and diplomacy
• Confidence using relationship databases (ideally, experience of Raiser’s Edge or similar
• Confident verbal and written communication skills, and excellent IT skills
• Understanding of the strategic and operating context of museum, library or archive institutions or similar is desirable
• Knowledge of and/or interest in architecture, architectural heritage and the built environment is desirable
• Commitment to specialising in philanthropy

If you would like to apply for the position, please submit your CV and covering letter on our website after you click "Apply". Your covering letter should outline how you meet the ‘Skills, Knowledge and Experience’ in the Job Description, which you will find on our website under supporting documentation. Please note that we will only consider applications with covering letters received directly through our website.   

Closing date: Monday, 24th February at 9am
Interview date: w/c 10th March

Due to high volumes of applications we are unable to respond to everyone, however, should you be shortlisted for interview we will be in touch. 

Please note that you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK.  We are unable to proceed with any candidates who cannot show the relevant documentation so please only apply if you meet these criteria. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

RIBA aims to be an inclusive employer, committed to building an authentic and diverse environment where all are encouraged to be themselves. We champion work/life balance and welcome requests for flexible working across our organisation. We value applications from all sections of society and appreciate divergent experience, therefore if you are excited about the role and working with us, yet your experience may not align perfectly with every single skill or competency, we encourage you to apply anyway.  

Registered Charity No. 210566