Information about the post of Director of Fundraising

Reference number: DoF 02/17

Closing date for applications:9.00am on Friday 24thMarch 2017

Job Information
Job Title / Director of Fundraising
Department & Team / Fundraising Department
Location / Sage Gateshead
Working Hours / 36 hours per week with some evening and weekend work required
Salary / Competitive reflecting role
Position in Organisation
Reports to / Managing Director
Responsible for / Corporate Partners Manager, Trusts & Foundations Manager, Strategic Funding Manager, Individual Giving Co-ordinator
Works in conjunction with / Programming, marketing, operational teams
Budget accountability / Yes
Introduction to Sage Gateshead
Founded in 2004, Sage Gateshead has an international reputation as a new centre for music combining performance, education and participation working across a wide range of musical genres and reaching a broad audience. Founded with a mixed business model, the charity’s turnover of £15million combines, box office, commercial, fundraised income with public subsidy.
Sage Gateshead runs:
  • One of the largest Music Learning & Participation Programmes in the UK
  • A Performance Programme of events and festivals across musical genres (folk, classical, rock, indie, jazz, electronic) for 360 days of the year
  • One of the biggest conference and events businesses in the region
  • Royal Northern Sinfonia, the UK’s only full time contract chamber orchestra
  • A folk development agency, Folkworks
  • An iconic visitor attraction, designed by Foster + Partners on the banks of the Tyne with a large public space, three auditoriums and 25 learning spaces
  • Grade II Listed Gateshead Old Town Hall and a series of railway arch spaces
In 2014/15 Sage Gateshead delivered:
  • 623 performance events
  • 13,045 courses, classes and workshops
  • 64 conferences
  • 22 premieres and commissions
  • 105 broadcasts
In 2014 Sage Gateshead completed its first decade. During this period the charity had:
-6 million visitors
-1.5 million participants
-1000 conferences
-4000 concerts
-£283 million of economic benefit to the region
Overall purpose & nature of the role
Purpose
To lead Sage Gateshead’s fundraising activities and team to achieve financial targets, build strong, long-term relationships and to support the growth and development of the organisation. To run an exceptional fundraising operation which enables each team member, every senior volunteer and every supporter to be proud and confident in Sage Gateshead’s fundraising.
Nature
The fundraising team has two areas - Trusts & Foundations and Strategic Support and Corporate & Individual Support – both underpinned by a research function. The Director of Fundraising will run the team of 7 and oversee the charity’s fundraising strategy in conjunction with the Managing Director and other Director colleagues. This role leads on fundraising and is part of the organisation’s senior management. It is also a hands-on role in a small busy team raising £1.5million revenue income per annum.
It is anticipated, given the development needs of the organisation that the Director of Fundraising will particularly focus on developing individual and corporate giving in the coming three years.
The post is based in Sage Gateshead, but a good deal of time will be spent in contact with supporters and potential supporters, often off-site visiting them. Time will also be spent attending Sage Gateshead’s activity – concerts, festivals, creative learning projects and conferences – both to have a sound understanding of the work and to introduce it to supporters and potential supporters.
Main Responsibilities
  1. To plan and implement fundraising strategy:
To lead on the development and implementation of the revenue, capital and endowment strategiesin order to deliver agreed income targets across multiple years
To oversee the schedule and quality of proposals, pitches and funding applications, ensuring the highest quality - that they are well researched, prepared written and submitted in a timely manner to achieve a positive financial outcome
To ensure the effective management of current supporters, sponsorships, donors/donations and grants to identify potential new sources of funding and agree objectives which will be mutually beneficial
To agree the research and prospecting agenda with managers
To liaise and build effective working partnerships with colleagues, particularly in Creative Learning and Performance Programming departments, to identify opportunities for support at a variety of financial levels
  1. To manage the fundraising team and systems:
To motivate and manage the Fundraising Team to achieve the financial targets and objectives set out within the fundraising strategy and Sage Gateshead business plan
To oversee excellent practice in research, prospecting, proposing, stewardship and moving supporters up the ladder, regularly reviewing and improving, including introducing new ideas and ways of working as appropriate
To work closely with marketing and communications colleagues to ensure that profile is consistent and work is produced to the highest standard
  1. To instil a fundraising culture across the organisation:
To work with the Managing Director and Director of Marketing & Communications to ensure that charitable messaging and Sage Gateshead’s value is understood and communicated to the highest level internally and externally
To ensure the right support in fundraising activity from a range of people including board members, ambassadors, the Sage Gateshead leadership team and artists
To give regular internal briefings and training on fundraising messaging, campaigns and activity to ensure that all members of the Sage Gateshead team can make the fundraising case
  1. To be part of Sage Gateshead’s senior leadership team:
To ensure that fundraising is part of the senior leadership team’s thinking
To contribute to overall strategic planning
To undertake cross-organisation leadership internally and externally as required
To maintain an up to date knowledge of the legal and financial framework for the charity’s fundraising activity
To carry out all tasks within the remit of your expertise as required by the changing needs of the organisation
To carry out all duties in accordance with the Law, the organisations philosophy and in the spirit of equality and fairness
Knowledge, experience and skills required to do job
Essential (required)
Qualifications /
  • Degree or equivalent level of education

Experience /
  • 5 years experience and proven track record in fundraising, particularly in individual and corporate giving
  • Experience of leading and managing a team
  • An excellent track record in donor care or customer relations

Skills or knowledge /
  • An excellent knowledge of fundraising practice across sectors and a particular specialism in individual and corporate giving across levels
  • An excellent understanding of ladders of giving and the importance of cultivation and stewardship
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • The ability to create and sustain excellent working partnerships; work as part of a close knit team and with colleagues across the organisation
  • Well developed research, analytical, numerical, administrative and presentational skills
  • Organisational skills including the ability to meet deadlines, attention to detail and the ability to prioritise and manage projects effectively and deal with a number of projects concurrently
  • The ability to think creatively to find ways of “making the case.”
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to write clear, well structured and relevant proposals and reports
  • A current knowledge of potential sources of information including the tax advantages and incentives for giving to charitable organisations
  • Advanced IT skills (we currently run Windows, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Tessitura)
  • An understanding of data and current data protection arrangements
  • Understanding of Equality and Diversity
  • Ability to travel for the role

Desirable (optional)
Other factors /
  • A vehicle and clean driving license would be advantageous
  • A knowledge and appreciation of music and the arts, particularly classical music
  • Knowledge of the Tessitura CRM system

Terms and Conditions
We believe Sage Gateshead is a great place to work - an innovative and friendly environment, where no two days are ever the same.
The holiday entitlement for this post is 33 days pa pro rata (including statutory holidays).
The salary for this post is competitive reflecting role.
We also offer subsidised parking for staff members, as well as a discount in our café, and access to a voluntary health cash plan, bike to work scheme, childcare vouchers and travel ticket scheme.
How to Apply
Applications must be made on a North Music Trust online application form.
We regret that CV’s cannot be accepted. If you have any queries about your application please contact 0191 443 5259
Completed applications should be returned no later than 9.00am on Friday 24th March 2017

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