Fundraising & Development Manager
(Part-Time, Contract)
Organisation: Heritage Lab Ramsgate
Reporting to: CEO
Location: Ramsgate Works and/or home-based, with
occasional local and regional travel
Contract Type: Freelance / Contract (not employed) up to 3 years. Notice 6 weeks.
Time Commitment: 0.5 WTE (approx. 2.5 days per week) 46 weeks per year
Contract Fee: £17,500 rising to £18,200 in year 2* and £18,900 in year 3* [*subject to funding confirmation]
About the Role
Heritage Lab Ramsgate is seeking a strategic, creative and
delivery-focused Fundraising & Development Manager to lead the next phase of our growth.
This role will be responsible for developing and delivering a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support our heritage-led regeneration work, including major capital and revenue projects.
The postholder will build a strong pipeline of funding, develop new income streams, and help position Heritage Lab Ramsgate as a compelling and investable organisation.
Key Responsibilities
1. Fundraising Strategy & Planning
• Develop and deliver a clear and ambitious fundraising and development strategy aligned to organisational priorities
• Translate strategy into a delivery plan with targets, timelines and income projections
• Identify and prioritise funding opportunities across trusts, foundations, public bodies and other sources
• Develop a diversified income approach, including grants, philanthropy, high-net-worth individuals
and partnerships
2. Grant Funding & Pipeline Development
• Build and manage a pipeline of grant opportunities
• Lead the preparation, writing and submission of high-quality funding applications
• Develop and maintain a grants calendar and pipeline tracker
• Build and manage relationships with funders and programme officers
• Ensure timely and high-quality reporting and compliance with funder requirements (including Historic England)
3. Philanthropy, Major Donors & Partnerships
• Develop and implement an approach to engaging high-net-worth individuals, donors and institutions
• Build and manage a pipeline of prospective major donors and philanthropic partners
• Support the CEO and Board in cultivating relationships and securing significant gifts
• Develop approaches to legacy giving and long-term philanthropic support
• Ensure strong donor stewardship and relationship management
4. Case for Support, Content & Fundraising Materials
• Develop and maintain a compelling case for support for Heritage Lab Ramsgate and key projects
• Build and maintain a library of high-quality grant copy and supporting materials
• Prepare clear and compelling donor-facing materials and pitches
• Develop content outlining tax-efficient giving mechanisms
• Contribute to key messaging, storytelling and communications outputs
5. Campaigns, Events & Engagement
• Develop and support fundraising campaigns and donor engagement activity
• Plan and support events for potential donors and partners
• Contribute to social media and communications activity to support fundraising
• Work with the wider team to raise the profile of Heritage Lab and its work
6. Impact Monitoring & Reporting
• Develop an impact framework/model to demonstrate outcomes and value
• Track fundraising performance against targets and pipeline
• Prepare reports and monitoring information for funders, including Historic England
• Support organisational reporting to Board and stakeholders
7. Collaboration & Organisational Contribution
• Work collaboratively with the CEO, Board, Communications & Marketing Manager and wider team
• Support colleagues in developing fundable projects and proposals
• Contribute to wider organisational planning, partnerships and development
8. Operational & Team Support
• Contribute to the day-to-day operation of Heritage Lab Ramsgate, including supporting office
management duties at Ramsgate Works as part of a small team
• Work flexibly across projects and organisational priorities
9. General
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as reasonably required by Heritage Lab Ramsgate
Person Specification
Essential
• Proven experience in fundraising, development or grant writing roles
• Demonstrable track record of securing funding from trusts, foundations, public bodies or similar
• Experience of developing and delivering fundraising strategies and pipelines
• Experience working with high-net-worth individuals, donors and/or institutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop compelling funding proposals and narratives
• Ability to understand, create and edit budgets
• Strong organisational and project management skills
• Proactive, self-starting and able to work independently
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Strong connection to Ramsgate/Thanet or a clear commitment to developing this
• Genuine interest in heritage, regeneration and community-led development
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience)
Desirable
• Experience working in heritage, regeneration, culture or community development
• Knowledge of the UK funding landscape and key grant-making bodies
• Experience developing fundraising campaigns or events
• Understanding of charity finance, governance and impact reporting
• Existing networks or relationships within Ramsgate/Thanet or the wider Kent area
• Educated to Masters level (or equivalent experience)
Practical Requirements
• Ability to work flexibly between home and Ramsgate Works [accessible by stairs only]
• Ability to attend meetings and events in person locally, regionally and occasionally London and beyond
• Comfortable working within a small, dynamic organisation
Contract Status
This role is offered on a freelance, self-employed basis. The successful applicant will be engaged as an independent contractor, paid by monthly invoice in arrears and will not be an employee or worker of Heritage Lab CIC. The contractor will be responsible for their own tax, National Insurance and appropriate insurances.
There is no obligation on Heritage Lab CIC to offer ongoing work, nor on the contractor to accept it. The contractor will have flexibility in how services are delivered, subject to agreed outputs and milestones, and may undertake work for other clients.
For informal enquiries please call Rob on 07962253838 “strictly no agencies”.