Read more & Apply for Senior Development Manager

Overview

JOB TITLE: Senior Development Manager (Maternity cover)

The Royal Armouries is the United Kingdom's national museum of arms and armour and one of the most important collections of its type in the world, housed at its headquarters and flagship museum in Leeds, its historic home at the Tower of London, and the Victorian Fort Nelson in Hampshire.

The Royal Armouries is now seeking an enthusiastic and creative fundraising professional as maternity cover for the Senior Development Manager to play a key role in maximising income predominantly through corporate, individual and visitor giving.

At an exciting time in the Armouries history you will have the opportunity to shape fundraising plans, and to use your experience and expertise to develop fundraising initiatives and campaigns that support the museum including the Armouries 700 Masterplan.

You will be a persuasive and influential communicator who likes building and deepening relationships with supporters and providing supportive line management to two members of the Development team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver fundraising initiatives and campaigns that support the museum, including income from corporate, individual and visitor giving.
• Shape fundraising plans and contribute to the Armouries 700 Masterplan.
• Engage with stakeholders and build relationships at all levels across the organisation.
• Provide line management to two members of the Development team.
• Work flexibly to meet deadlines and travel as required.

Hours and location

Hours: This position is a fixed-term contract for maternity cover, full time, 36 hours per week, 5 days out of 7. Weekend, Bank Holiday and evening working may be required, as will some travel.

Location: Predominantly Leeds office based with occasional work at other RA sites; hybrid working options available.

Benefits

• Access to the discounted bicycles via Bike2Work scheme
• Access to free EAP services via the Employee Assistance Program
• Generous family friendly leave
• Access to discounted staff car parking
• 25% off staff shop
• 10% off food in on-site café
• Pension scheme with maximum employer contribution of 9%
• Access to free online learning
• Season ticket loan
• M-Card

Criminal records and checks: A Police Check/ Disclosure will be requested if you are shortlisted. A criminal record would not necessarily be a bar to employment. All offers are subject to satisfactory references, DBS/Police checks and right to work documentation.

To apply

How to apply: Please visit You will need to download an application form and upload it via our recruitment system. We cannot accept CVs in place of an application form.

Interview dates: Friday 17 October 2025

Note: If you do not hear from us within 14 days after the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful.

Person Specification

Job Title: Senior Development Manager

Department: Development

Qualifications

Educated to degree level

Work Experience

• Demonstrable experience in achieving fundraising targets with levels in excess of £50k
• Experience of identifying, converting and managing relationships with corporate clients / contacts
• Experience of identifying, converting and managing relationships with Patrons and major donors
• Experience of developing and delivering events
• Demonstrable experience of successfully creating and negotiating support packages with major donors and/or corporates
• Demonstrable experience of creating and delivering philanthropic and/or corporate membership programmes

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge and experience of heritage and/or culture sector
• Highly developed interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly developed persuading and influencing skills
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office
• Proficient in using relational databases
• Understanding of Fundraising, Data Protection legislation and compliance in record management
• Working understanding of tax legislation and regulations in respect of sponsorship in the public sector

Personal attributes

• Flexible and able to adapt to change
• Ability to work successfully in teams
• Ability to deal with a wide variety of people
• Ability to prioritise conflicting demands
• Ability to work accurately to deadlines
• Ability to proactively manage own workload