1. art and entertainment
2. theatre

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
APPOINTMENT BRIEF
APRIL 2015
Ballet Black, 2014
A Letter From
The Chief Executive
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for interest in our Development Director
role. I hope the attached appointment brief will
encourage you to contact our recruitment consultant,
Linda Griffiths at Prospectus to discuss the opportunity
further.
Over the last ten years we have been able to transform
the fortunes of Cambridge Arts Theatre, taking it from
the brink of closure to its current position as one of
the leading playhouses in the country. Our mission as
a theatrical charity is to inspire and nurture a lifelong
love of the performing arts and critical to the success
of this mission has been our unwavering focus on the
excellence of our artistic programme. We have now built
a national reputation by presenting a densely packed,
diverse programme of theatre, opera, dance and jazz as
well as our much-loved annual pantomime. The delivery
of this success story has been made possible by the
outstanding team here at the Arts Theatre, who are
all deeply committed to the long term success of this
Cambridge institution.
Whilst we are proud to run the Theatre in a business
like fashion, we are not a commercial theatre and we
don’t intend to start behaving like one. As public subsidy
becomes increasingly difficult to obtain, we need to
work tirelessly and creatively to identify fundraising
opportunities and to capitalise on our successes to date.
We will continue making bold artistic decisions,
preserving the fabric of our historic building and having
affordable ticket prices, extensive schools access and
industry-leading special needs provisions.
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Development Director | Cambridge Arts Theatre | April 2015
We remain determined to providing a stimulating
and wide ranging education programme that is fully
integrated with our artistic and charitable ambitions.
We now want to enhance our well-established and
talented senior management team with an outstanding
fundraising professional. You will formulate and
deliver our fundraising plans to support our long term
ambitions for the Theatre and to further underpin the
financial sustainability of our day- to- day operations.
You will be tenacious, creative, entrepreneurial,
an outstanding networker and innovative in your
approach to the fundraising challenge.
You will get direct involvement in, and influence over,
the strategic direction of our Theatre, access to a rich
pool of individual and institutional donors and corporate
supporters, an engaged and committed audience
and the opportunity to fund and deliver a number
of transformative projects. Our goals include the
refurbishment of our auditorium, in-house production
funding and sponsorship deals, the creation of our own
high street café-bar and, in the longer term, the creation
of a new studio theatre.
If this sounds like your kind of challenge and you are
ready to make a real impact on a vibrant arts institution
please get in touch.
Dave Murphy
Chief Executive.
About Us
Cheek By Jowl’s Macbeth, 2011
Cambridge Arts Theatre exists to inspire and nurture a lifelong love of the
performing arts. A thriving regional showcase, we are the only high-quality
presenting theatre within 60 miles serving the population of Cambridgeshire
and the surrounding area. We currently attract over 150,000 visitors a year.
Founded in 1936 by the economist and founding
member of the Arts Council, John Maynard Keynes,
we have helped launch the careers of theatrical
luminaries, such as Ian McKellen, Derek Jacobi, Emma
Thompson and Stephen Fry. Furthermore the last four
directors of the National Theatre – Peter Hall, Trevor
Nunn, Richard Eyre and Nicholas Hytner – all directed
on our stage at the start of their careers, and we have
played host to a dazzling variety of cultural milestones,
from Margot Fonteyn dancing her first Swan Lake to
Harold Pinter’s premiere of The Birthday Party.
Today, we are the venue of choice for all scaleappropriate drama, dance and opera in both the
subsidised and commercial sectors.
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Development Director | Cambridge Arts Theatre | April 2015
We build strong and mutually beneficial relationships
with the cream of the country’s touring producers
and bring productions to the region that diversify and
enrich the city’s cultural offering: from world premieres
such as Mike Leigh’s Grief, Howard Brenton’s Anne
Boleyn and Mike Bartlett’s Earthquakes in London
to long-running classics such as An Inspector Calls,
The Woman in Black and The 39 Steps. Established
companies producing classical work such as The
National Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath and Shakespeare’s
Globe, alongside those producing bold, innovative
and invigorating new work such as Cheek By Jowl,
Headlong and The Royal Court, help put the Arts
Theatre and Cambridge firmly on the cultural map
as the prime destination for touring theatre.
The BFG, 2008
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Development Director | Cambridge Arts Theatre | April 2015
Our Strategic Fundraising Priorities
New foyer space 2014
The Auditorium Project
In November 2013, the first stage redevelopment of our
new vision for the Theatre was successfully completed,
transforming our existing foyer areas, opening up the
spaces for our audiences and providing improved bar
and catering facilities that will enable us to maximise
our earned income.
The building work was completed with no significant
delay or overspend against the £1.55m budget and
was funded by Arts Council England, King’s College,
Cambridge, Cambridge City Council, a number of
major donors and through our own reserves.
The Development Director will work alongside
the Chief Executive and Executive Director to
lead the next phase of the capital building project.
£2.5million is needed to refurbish the auditorium,
which is in urgent need of attention after almost
20 years of daily wear and tear. This phase of the
campaign will see our beautiful theatre transformed
to mirror the high standards of our modern new
foyer spaces.
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Development Director | Cambridge Arts Theatre | April 2015
Restored to its full glory, the auditorium will boast
improved seating and new, state of the art technical
equipment to ensure we can continue to attract
world-class theatre and provide an exceptional
audience experience for many years to come.
Producing Theatre
In order to further enhance our position as one of the
leading presenting theatres in the country, we intend
to expand our own in-house producing efforts.
We will supplement our existing programme with a
number of top-quality, home-grown productions that
would start their life in our Theatre and then tour
regionally, with the most successful going on to have
a West End run. We will investigate innovative and
entrepreneurial ways of financing these productions
and aim to work in close partnership with established
producers and other producing theatres. We also
intend to fully exploit the opportunities generated
by the new government theatre production tax
incentives and hope that this will further expand the
range of options available to finance the production of
outstanding theatre.
Our Strategic Fundraising Priorities
Anne Boleyn, 2012
Generating revenue income to support
the ongoing work of the Theatre
Cambridge Arts Theatre is a registered charity with
over 95% of our income currently being raised through
ticket sales, booking fee and front of house sales.
At present we do not receive any regular public subsidy
and so the diversification and enhancement of our
income streams is a key priority.
We are committed to the improvement and expansion
of our access and outreach programmes, including
the continued availability of affordable seats for
all performances, generous and flexible disabled
concessions, broad availability of reduced price
schools’ tickets, an education programme that
supports the work on our stage and the provision of
inclusive performances for deaf and hard of hearing,
blind and visually impaired patrons.
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Development Director | Cambridge Arts Theatre | April 2015
Whilst it will be easier for us to make these
improvements as the in-house produced element of
our overall programme grows, we will need to expand
the range and size of funding sources if we are to
succeed in our aspirations.
The Development Director will lead these efforts on
behalf of the Theatre. They will need to harness and
co-ordinate the efforts of the senior management
team, Trustees and our long-term supporters.
In order to succeed in this they will need to thoroughly
immerse themselves in every aspect of the Theatre’s
work and work constructively and sympathetically
with our small and very committed team.
Cinderella, 2011
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Development Director | Cambridge Arts Theatre | April 2015
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Development Director | Cambridge Arts Theatre | April 2015
DEVELOPMENT
OFFICER
ACCOUNTS
ASSISTANT
DEVELOPMENT &
COMMUNICATIONS
MANAGER
DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR
BOX OFFICE
ASSISTANTS
BOX OFFICE
SUPERVISOR
CONTRACTED
AND CASUAL
FOH STAFF
THEATRE
MANAGER
CONTRACTED BAR
SUPERVISOR
DUTY
MANAGER
DEPUTY
THEATRE MANAGER
25 Permanent Full Time Staff, 3 Part Time Staff and Casual Front Of House and Technical Staff
MARKETING
ASSISTANT
FREELANCE
DESIGNERS &
CONSULTANTS
WEBSITE &
COMMUNICATIONS
STRATEGY
HEAD OF
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
MARKETING
MANAGER
MARKETING &
EDUCATION OFFICER
FINANCE
ASSISTANT
HEAD OF
FINANCE
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
CHIEF
EXECUTIVE
BOARD
OF TRUSTEES
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE: APRIL 2015
STAGE DOOR
KEEPERS
VOLUNTEER
COORDINATOR &
VOLUNTEERS
HEAD OF
TECHNICAL
CLEANING
CONTRACTOR
DEPUTY CHIEF
ELECTRICIAN
CHIEF
ELECTRICIAN
CASUAL
TECHNICAL
STAFF
ARTISTIC
CO-ORDINATOR
TECHNICAL
ASSISTANT
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
TO THE DIRECTORS
Organisation Chart
Job Description
Reports to: Chief Executive
• Identify, solicit and secure income from major
donors, appropriately facilitating the involvement
of the Chief Executive and Development Council
Responsible for: Development Officer,
Development and Communications
Manager
• To drive forward the Theatre’s approach to
Purpose of role
• To identify and develop strong mutually beneficial
To successfully deliver the income targets for the
capital campaign and to deliver revenue fundraising
budgets. To maximise opportunities to develop new
income streams and to build supporter engagement.
To facilitate the effective involvement of the Chief
Executive, Executive Director, Board and Development
Council in fundraising activity.
Specific Responsibilities
individual giving to include an audience appeal
for the capital campaign
relationships with corporate partners including
overseeing the corporate membership scheme
• To oversee all trust, foundation and statutory
applications, taking direct responsibility for the
more complex and higher level opportunities,
to ensure growth in this area
• Manage and motivate the team to enable them
to deliver stretch targets
• To deliver all current strategies for capital and
• To review and develop the way the company makes
• Lead the delivery of the capital campaign for our
• To work closely with the Chief Executive in the
• To significantly improve the success rate of
• Plan, implement and oversee a programme of
revenue fundraising at Cambridge Arts Theatre
and review and develop our plans and resources for
fundraising in the light of our strategic objectives
Auditorium project including the creation of a
revised case for support
all fundraising initiatives, ensuring that the
Development Department works at optimum
efficiency to achieve results
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Development Director | Cambridge Arts Theatre | April 2015
best use of its Board, senior management and
network of supporters, unlocking opportunities
and securing results
recruitment and launch of a new Development
Council
cultivation events
• Act as an advocate for Cambridge Arts Theatre
locally and nationally at appropriate networks
and meetings
Person Specification
Experience
• At least five years experience in fundraising with a
proven track record of success
• Experience of personally soliciting gifts over £25,000
• Experience of developing and executing an annual
fundraising strategy, either personally or in
collaboration with others
Qualifications
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
Skills
• Excellent strategic planning skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
including presentation skills
• Experienced at creating marketing and
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to
• Experience of dealing with senior representatives of
• The ability to compile detailed funding applications
• Experience of working closely with Board members
• Demonstrable experience of building, managing
• The ability to implement and manage a range of
• Proven experience of financial management and
• Demonstrable people management and project
communication materials to support the
fundraising ask
funding partners
and maintaining successful partnerships at all levels
responsibility
• Experience of setting targets and working in a
results driven environment
• Experience of managing a team and working as part
of one
• Experience of events management
Knowledge
negotiate and gain the confidence and respect of
external contacts
including complex budget information
relationship cultivation techniques across individual,
private and commercial sources
management skills whether under direct or indirect
management
• A practised networker with proven advocacy skills to
make powerful arguments which influence others
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills,
the ability to manage multiple priorities, work well
under pressure and meet deadlines
• Good understanding of the role of cultural activity
• High degree of personal commitment to the role
• Ability to travel throughout the region
• Knowledge of a range of fundraising research
Personal attributes
in relation to broader social and economic agendas
materials
• Good knowledge of the contemporary arts and in
particular theatre
• An achievement orientation and the motivation to
overcome difficulties
• Willing to share knowledge and disseminate
information
• Understands own strengths and weaknesses and
committed to personal learning and development
• A genuine passion for and knowledge of the arts
• Enjoys working in a hands on and highly collaborative
environment
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Development Director | Cambridge Arts Theatre | April 2015
Ian McKellen in The Syndicate, 2011
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Development Director | Cambridge Arts Theatre | April 2015
How To Apply
Terms and Conditions
We would also be grateful if you could let us know if
you will require any special provision as a result of any
disability should you be called for interview.
Hours of Work: 40 hours a week. Due to the nature
of the organisation you will be required to work some
evenings or weekends.
Finally please ensure that you have included mobile,
work and home telephone numbers, as well as any
dates when you will not be available or might have
difficulty with the indicative timetable.
Salary: To discuss salary please contact Linda Griffiths,
Senior Consultant
Holiday entitlement: 25 days
Probationary Period: 3 months
Notice Period: Following the completion of a successful
probationary period, the notice period is three months
Applications should be made via the Prospectus
website at: www.prospectus.co.uk/executive/job/
HQ00150881
Pension: The Theatre will provide a contribution of
5% to a pension fund of the employees choice,
subject to approval by the employer, providing that
the candidate contributes 3% of their basic salary
to the scheme.
Applications can also be posted to: Sarah Hill,
Prospectus, 20-22 Stukeley Street, London, WC2B 5LR
Application
Should you decide to make a formal application, you
will receive feedback within five working days of the
closing date. The successful appointment is subject to
a satisfactory criminal records disclosure and written
references.
To apply for this position, please send a comprehensive
CV and a supporting statement. You should give the
names, positions, organisations and telephone contact
numbers of two referees, one of whom should be your
current/most recent employer. References will only be
taken once your express permission has been granted.
You are also invited to complete and return the
equal opportunities monitoring information form.
The information on the form will be treated as
confidential, and used for statistical purposes.
The form will not be treated as part of your application.
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Development Director | Cambridge Arts Theatre | April 2015
Deadline for Applications: 9am, Friday 24th April
Recruitment Process
Queries
If you have any queries on any aspect of the
appointment process, need additional information or
wish to have an informal discussion, please contact
Linda Griffiths on 020 7691 1920 or alternatively via
email at [email protected]
Prospectus Ltd
20-22 Stukeley Street
London, WC2B 5LR
020 7691 1925
www.prospect-us.co.uk
David Haig in The Madness of George III, 2012
Created by the Prospectus
Advertising & Design team