Development Manager: Trusts and Foundations
Role Summary
The Development Manager: Trusts and Foundations role is to assist the department in delivering the revenue and capital targets. You will forge strong relationships with key trust and foundation funders, with a focus on proactively seeking opportunities to secure multi-year funding and diversify the portfolio, while identifying and cultivating new opportunities. Excellent communication skills and a clear, concise and evidence-based writing style when conveying the Collection’s aims and ambitions to potential funders will be key to this role. Supporter care and stewardship also play an important part of the position.
Working closely with all departments at the museum and effective internal communication will be crucial for the success of the post holder. This role reports to the Head of Development.
Role Description
Fundraising and Stewardship
* Contribute towards realising the fundraising targets through maintaining and increasing income from existing and new sources.
* Build effective, long-term relationships with your portfolio of trusts & foundations and prospect pipeline through regular communication, attendance at events and face to face meetings.
* Produce clear, specific and compelling applications to Trusts and Foundations that have the capacity to give up to six- and seven-figure grants and donations.
* Work with the key stakeholders to ensure an effective stewardship programme is in place for Trusts and Foundations donors including follow-up, monitoring and reporting.
* To be responsible for grant agreements, crediting obligations, progress monitoring and deadlines.
* To analyse wider sector trends and giving and understand the patterns, benchmarking activity with other relevant organisations.
* Work with other fundraising colleagues, as well as the Research and Operation Manager, to ensure a coordinated approach to prospects.
Finance and Account Management
* Maintain up-to-date records of correspondence with all trusts, foundations, and prospects and ensure the highest and most adequate standards of data capture are maintained on Microsoft Dynamics 365. This includes, but is not limited to, information on giving history, interest, relationships, contacts, applications, etc.
* Work with the Development Assistant in order to maintain high standards in financial processes and recordkeeping, processing payments and storing personal data in a way that is consistent with GDPR and other relevant legislation and best practice.
* Work with the Research and Operations Manager to research trusts and foundations (including personal foundations and corporate foundations), both in the UK and abroad, build a pipeline of donors and progress them to application stage.
* Support the prompt and efficient administration of gifts and the thanking of key contacts (both from the Director and the Board).
Other
* Participate in any way that the Director of Development or Head of Development requires to fulfil the key responsibilities for the department.
* Communicate clearly and effectively internally and externally, and to foster transparent and excellent relationships with other departments at the Collection.
* Assist in out-of-office or after-hours activities and events as required.
Person Specification
Essential
* Demonstrable experience in relationship development and account management, with the skills and ability to cultivate prospective and existing funders to maximise funding opportunities.
* Exceptional communicator and writer with an excellent eye for detail.
* Proven track record in securing and managing significant grants (six or seven figures) and of working in partnership with a wide variety of internal and/ or external stakeholders.
* Ability to work with complex data (including budgets) and materials, to question results and to analyse data to inform new approaches
* Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage a demanding workload.
* High standards of presentation, ability to keep calm under pressure and a pragmatic, problem-solving mindset.
* Excellent numeracy skills and proven ability to develop budgets, monitor management accounts and understand funder finance reports.
* Experience of working to tight deadlines.
* Enthusiasm and passion for the Wallace Collection.
* Friendly and flexible attitude; enjoys working as part of a team.
How to Apply
Please complete the Application Form, and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, following the links provided on our website. Please note the equal opportunities form is used for monitoring purposes only and does not form part of the selection process. Both forms should be emailed to recruitment@wallacecollection.org by midnight 26/04/2026. Please note late applications or applications via a CV will not be considered.
Interviews for the role will take place week commencing, 04/05/2026. Candidates who have been shortlisted for interview will be contacted after the closing date. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it will not be possible to contact or give feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted for interview.
Start date: As soon as possible
Appointment to the role is subject to a satisfactory Basic Disclosure check. The Wallace Collection is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.