Development Manager

Job title: Development Manager

Hours: 35 hours per week full time or part time considered. If your preference is to work part time, you will be required to work at least 3 days per week. We are open to flexible working and hybrid options for this role.

Reporting to Director of Development

Salary £37,500 per annum FTE  

Wells Cathedral is a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture, renowned for its astonishing beauty, historical significance and its international reputation for music.

It stands as one of the most impressive cathedrals in the UK and is a world-class centre for worship and mission, inspirational music and creative engagement with young people and visitors from around the world.

Are you an inspiring fundraiser with a track record of engaging a range of individual donors?

Would you like to utilise your excellent relationship building skills and creativity to help inspire philanthropists with the work of Wells Cathedral and help conserve and maintain it for future generations?

Could you deliver one of a kind events and exceptional communications to inspire support from individual donors towards an important place of worship and a world renowned heritage organisation?

The Development Manager will play a critical role in developing and managing individual fundraising for the Cathedral with a particular focus on engaging and inspiring the Cathedral’s individual supporters, Major Donors and prospects with the work of the Cathedral, developing and implementing robust stewardship activity and undertaking and developing vital prospecting processes to support both priority projects and year round fundraising.

This role will line manage the Development Assistant.

As Development Manager you will:

· Lead on creating and developing the Individual Giving strategy for the Cathedral, in consultation with the Director of Development.

· Deepen relationships with existing supporters by developing and delivering an impactful stewardship framework for individual donors.

· Work in consultation with the marketing team to create inspiring and relevant communication strategy for individual supporters with a focus on impact, to include regular feedback mechanisms to improve stewardship plans and engagement.

· Build the financial resilience of the Cathedral through developing individual prospecting processes, prospect research, and developing qualified prospect pipelines to secure income from individual supporters and major donors. With an initial focus on the Vicars’ Close project and developing in line with future priorities.

· Work with the Director of Development to develop an inspiring range of bespoke cultivation plans for Major Donors.

· Design, deliver and support a range of unique events to inspire supporters and cultivate new relationships, bringing to life the extraordinary work of the Cathedral. Work across the cathedral to integrate fundraising into existing events and programmes.

· Achieve results through persuasive and compelling proposals for Major Donors and creation of robust budgets. Amplify project impact through inspiring reports and personalised engagement opportunities.

· Develop, manage and deliver Wells Cathedral’s individual giving programmes, including Planned Giving, regular inspiring appeals and individual giving opportunities as part of priority projects.

· Strengthen supporter relationships across the organisation, working with the Cathedral leadership team, Chapter and project leads to support engagement with individual donors and Major Donors.

· Develop and implement plans to keep existing donors engaged, with opportunities to increase their level of giving over time and in line with projects and targeted appeals.

· Regularly report progress to the Development Director and Cathedral Chapter on the individual giving income pipeline, supporter engagement, upcoming opportunities, and challenges.

· Keep up to date with trends and good practice and identify opportunities to improve and develop Wells Cathedral’s individual giving.

· Utilise CRM as an effective Relationship Management tool and develop robust prospecting processes.

· As the Cathedral’s Gift in Wills strategy develops, support engagement opportunities for individual supporters and develop appropriate processes to support this area.

· Network and keep abreast of the wider funding landscape and giving trends to inform the strategy.

· Support the team through additional duties as reasonably required to assist the smooth and efficient running of the Development Team and maximise the impact of the fundraising function. Some weekend and out of hours working may be required.

We would like to hear from you if you:

· have enhanced income streams, with a focus on individual supporters and Major Donors and made a real impact upon the charitable objectives of an organisation — a degree is not an essential requirement.

· enjoy building and deepening relationships with a range of individual supporters, with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to tailor opportunities to funder priorities.

· have a successful track record in developing individual giving programmes and major donor relationships, securing funds from a range of individuals and Philanthropists.

· are a persuasive and influential communicator, with exceptional communication, writing and research skills.

· Confident to engage with multiple stakeholders including volunteers, prospective donors and high level supporters.

· have an ambitious, positive, and creative approach, with experience at working collaboratively organisation wide.

·  have strong networking, collaboration, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others — internally and externally at all levels.

· enjoy in prospect research and developing successful cultivation plans to inspire donors and secure funding.

· have delivered exceptional donor experiences and co-ordinated special events and inspired a range of individuals donors.

· are passionate about working for Wells Cathedral and making an impact within the heritage sector.

The successful applicant will also be expected to share in Wells Cathedral’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

We welcome applications from those with existing fundraising experience and looking to further their experience in a manager role, with line management responsibilities. We currently operate a hybrid model of working and are open to discussing flexible ways of working, including full and part time and some remote working. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full time or need more flexible working patterns.

Please get in touch to arrange an informal conversation ahead of applying to learn more about us and why this opportunity is right for you.

To apply, please send a copy of your latest CV together with a supporting statement (no more than 2 pages) explaining your motivations for applying for the role, how your skills, knowledge and experience match the role outline and what you can bring to it. If your preference is to work part time, please state how many hours a week you wish to work.

Shortlisted candidates will be expected to complete our standard Application Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form.

In return we offer:

· 6.6 weeks of annual leave per annum inclusive of bank holidays. The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

· A discount of 10% is available in the Cathedral Shop and Café.

· Staff training and opportunities to develop your skills.

· Pension Defined Contribution Scheme. Contributions as % of salary:

Age Employee Employer

<50 3% 5%

50–55 4% 8%

>55  5% 10%

· Parking spaces are available in the Cathedral car park. Cars are parked at the risk of the owner.

· All reasonable working expenses will be met in line with Cathedral policy.

The appointment will be conditional on the satisfactory completion of all pre-employment checks, including a basic DBS check. A probationary period of 6 months will apply to this post.

First stage interviews: 23 September 2025

Second stage interviews: 29 September 2025