Trusts & Foundations Manager

Watts Gallery Trust has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Trusts and Foundations Manager. The post holder, supported by the Head of Development, will secure gifts from charitable trusts and foundations and make a significant contribution to increasing Watts Gallery Trust’s network of active support from trusts, foundations and statutory funders.  This will include engaging new and existing supporters with the Trust’s future plans, composing sophisticated funding applications and facilitating relationships with funders.The Development team raises 56% of the Trust’s annual core operating costs.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Identifying and developing opportunities to generate and/or increase income from trusts, foundations and grant making bodies.
• Drafting, submitting and successfully managing the progress of all funding applications and working with colleagues to develop strong cases for support within required deadlines.
• Liaising directly with key contacts in trusts, foundations and grant making bodies to establish important dates and criteria in order to strengthen applications.
• Developing, reviewing, and leading the strategy for maximising and renewing income from trusts, foundations and grant making bodies, and successfully executing a rolling programme of applications.
• Producing, submitting and managing all communications with funders within the agreed timeframe including regular reports.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to produce fundraising communications and reports as appropriate.
• Developing, implementing and managing the stewardship programme for all trust and foundation donors.
• Establishing and monitoring progress of applications and providing financial reporting and other management information on a timely basis to the Head of Development.
• Maintaining trust, foundation and grant records on the Customer Relationship Management database.
• Contributing, as and when relevant and agreed with the Head of Development, to the activities of the organisation, including occasional attendance at functions outside of normal working hours.

Performing other duties as required by the Head of Development.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Skills & Experience:

• Substantial proven experience of working successfully in a fundraising position in the cultural or charitable sector, preferably with a focus on trusts, foundations and public sector income streams.

• Demonstrable fundraising success, including a proven track record of securing 5-figure donations.
• Experience preparing fundraising applications, excellent writing skills and close attention to detail in written tasks.
• Outstanding relationship builder and networker, both internally and externally.
• Experience of developing, managing and maintaining positive relationships with trust and foundation donors.
• Demonstrable experience of maximising opportunities, from researching prospects to generating meetings, securing income to achieve targets.
• Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office (particularly Outlook, Word, Excel and Publisher); accurate typing skills.
• Excellent telephone manner; able to communicate effectively with a range of callers.
• A strong understanding of trust and foundation practices and principles.
• Strong understanding of Watts Gallery Trust’s mission and activities.

Knowledge & Qualifications:

• A degree or relevant equivalent qualification is desirable.
• Substantial proven fundraising experience.

Personal Attributes:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to work collaboratively.
• Tactful and assertive, with the ability to communicate at all levels.
• Highly self-motivated.
• Highly practical and well organised.
• Ability to work on your own initiative.
• Discrete and able to strictly maintain confidentiality.
• Able to present information, verbally and in writing, in a clear and concise manner, with excellent attention to detail.
• Positive ‘can do’ attitude and willingness to support others where needed.
• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, with a willingness to learn and use new systems.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, as required.

First interviews will take place on Thursday 11 February 2021. Second interviews will take place on the afternoon of 18 February 2021.

Watts Gallery Trust is fully committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We actively encourage BAME and disabled applicants and value the positive impact difference has on our teams. 

ABOUT WATTS GALLERY TRUST

Watts Gallery Trust is an independent charity established in 1904 to manage the legacy of George Frederic Watts OM RA, one of the leading artists of the nineteenth century.  Today, Watts Gallery Trust is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation that oversees Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village.  Consisting of Limnerslease, the former home of artists G F Watts and Mary Seton Watts, the Grade I listed Watts Cemetery Chapel, designed by Mary Watts, the Pottery Building that formerly housed the Compton Potters Arts Guild, and Watts Gallery established in 1904 as the UK’s first single artist museum, the Artists’ Village is a leading regional visitor attraction.

The Trust delivers an ambitious and far-reaching engagement and learning programme in prisons, in the local community and onsite, working to deliver our founders’ Art for All ethos with some of the most vulnerable in society.  It also manages the Artist’s Studio Museum Network of 157 artist’s studio museums across Europe, and the thriving Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village, which is located in Compton, outside Guildford across 18 acres of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The Development team raises 56% of the Trust’s annual core operating costs.