Head of Development

The Migration Museum Project is a unique, dynamic cultural organisation now seeking a Head of Development at a pivotal moment that is rich with potential.

The Migration Museum Project aims to fill a clear gap in Britain’s cultural landscape by creating a national Migration Museum – an inspiring exploration of the central role that migration has played throughout our history.

Over the past three years, we have staged acclaimed and popular events and exhibitions across London and the UK, and run an education programme nationwide.

Led by Sophie Henderson a former immigration barrister, we are a small, dedicated team of experienced professionals with an extensive network of partners, funders and supporters. We have demonstrated a keen appetite and need for what we do – and proven our ability to fundraise, deliver and engage. Our Board of Trustees is chaired by Barbara Roche, a former Minister of State for Immigration and founder of the project.

We are investigating options to secure a permanent home for the Migration Museum, based in London and with a national footprint. Meanwhile, an exciting opportunity has presented itself – use of a temporary 250 sq m space in Lambeth until February 2018 – that will enable us to stage longer-duration events and exhibitions, build strong links with local communities, enterprises and schools, and showcase our vision for the first-class Migration Museum for Britain that we aspire to become.

We now seek a Head of Development to maximize the potential that this temporary space affords, and to take our fundraising to a new level. The post-holder will lead and deliver a fundraising and development strategy that will ensure the sustainability of the Migration Museum Project as a means to achieving our ultimate goal of establishing a permanent Migration Museum for Britain.

JOB DESCRIPTION

It is essential that our Head of Development understands both the challenges and opportunities of working with a small but highly skilled and motivated team working towards an ambitious goal, and is able not only to work at a strategic level, but also personally to drive fundraising approaches. An understanding of the current philanthropic landscape is key, as is the ability to seek out opportunities for growth, network effectively, and confidently ask for donations towards a robust case for support.

Working closely with the Director and Trustees, and supported by the staff team (of eight members) the Head of Development’s main tasks will be to:

• Develop and deliver a robust strategy for fundraising that will generate a minimum of £350k per annum operating costs, to enable fundraising and development to take place alongside continued production of cultural and educational outputs.
• Work towards the launch of a capital fundraising campaign over three years, expected to be in excess of £20m, once a permanent site for the Migration Museum has been identified.
• Cultivate major donors and institute and nurture a new development board.
• Manage existing and create new relationships with trusts and foundations
• Identify and pursue opportunities for corporate engagement
• Oversee and deliver fundraising events as appropriate
• Creatively develop other opportunities for generating funds, for example through subscriptions, online campaigns, commercial partnerships or otherwise.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• At least five years’ experience working with major donors from corporate, trust or private individual sources
• Experience of working successfully with high level and high profile individual donors and supporters
• Experience in Arts, Museums or Heritage funding environment
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with people from all backgrounds; tactful and diplomatic
• Exceptional written communication skills and proven ability to write creative and accurate funding applications and proposals
• Strong planning and budgeting skills
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the aims of the Migration Museum Project including a sensitivity to controversial issues

Desirable

• Experience of being the sole fundraiser for a small organisation
• Experience of successfully delivering one or more capital appeals worth £5m or more
• Proven ability to secure six-figure gifts
• Experience developing commercial income streams
• Knowledge of UK migration history

To apply for this position, please e-mail a copy of your CV and a covering letter, of no more than 500 words, to the project director, Sophie Henderson.

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to come to London for interview, when they will be invited to give a short, informal presentation of their ideas for the role.