Jobs

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Chetham’s is seeking a driven and collaborative Senior Development Manager to become a pivotal part of our Development team. Chetham’s is a magical place, home to the UK’s largest specialist music school, the oldest library in the English-speaking world and a world-class concert venue, all in the heart of Manchester.

Working as part of a recently expanded Development function, this is an exciting time to join Chetham’s. You will be part of an energetic fundraising team, raising funds from trusts and foundations, individuals and corporate partners to meet ambitious targets. You will build a pipeline of supporters, grow our community of donors, be a visible ambassador for Chetham’s and you will play a key role in embedding a fundraising culture across the organisation. From fundraising for capital works to library conservation projects, bursary support to community programmes, this is an exciting role for a motivated, organised and creative development professional.

The job

  • We’re looking for an experienced and highly motivated fundraiser to manage and grow income from a mixed portfolio of donors, including trusts and foundations, individual supporters, legacies and corporate partners, supporting the full breadth of Chetham’s
  • Working closely with Director of Development and Chetham’s senior leadership, the Senior Development Manager will build Chetham’s donor base, developing meaningful relationships with existing and new supporters to secure donations aligned with Chetham’s strategic priorities.
  • The ideal candidate will have 5+ years’ fundraising experience, significant experience securing income from individuals, companies or grant-makers, and will have outstanding interpersonal skills. They will be an excellent communicator, able to confidently share Chetham’s case for support in compelling proposals or in face-to-face donor meetings or pitches. A track record of securing five-figure gifts and a knowledge of database systems is highly desirable. Previous experience working in either an education, heritage or arts environment would be helpful, but not essential.
  • The Senior Development Manager will join a small, busy team with big ambitions. With major capital development plans ahead and milestone anniversaries for the School and Stoller Hall coming up, there is real scope to make an impact and launch new appeals and campaigns to maximise income.
  • This a full time, permanent role working 35 hours per week. 0.8FTE would be considered.

 In return

  • Salary SCP 32, £42,082.45 per annum.
  • Benefits include subsided catered lunches during term-time, on site gym, free tickets to selected concerts & Cycle to Work Scheme.

Download: Job Description & Person Specification

Download: Application Form

Please ensure that you download and save the application form to your computer before completing the form, as completing within your browser may result in information not being saved.

Please send your completed application form to hr@chethams.com

For a pre-application conversation about the role, please contact Alex Mayer – alexmayer@chethams.com

Closing date: 9am, Friday 26th June 2026

Interviews will take place on: To be confirmed

Chetham’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Reg. Charity No: 526702

Standard Information for all applications

Please accept our thanks for your application. We’re unfortunately unable to respond to all applications received. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the School and invited to interview. Except for cases where vacancies are open ended, we aim to make contact with successful applicants within three weeks of the specified closing date.

The recruitment process and associated paperwork is in line with the standard regarding safeguarding children and safer recruitment in education.

Any successful candidates(s) will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for regulated activity. You will need to declare any unfiltered convictions, cautions or reprimands, warnings or bind-overs which you have ever had and give details of the offences.

Chetham’s School of Music is committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or whether or not they have a disability. Please let us know if you have any special requirements in the interview process.

Please read this information alongside applications for ALL jobs with the Stoller Hall and Chetham’s School of Music.

Chetham’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Reg. Charity No: 526702

Read More About The Stoller Hall

 

We are a Disability Confident Level 1: Committed Employer, which means we have committed to:
– ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
– communicating and promoting vacancies
– offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
– anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
– supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work
– at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people