Business Development and Fundraising Officer

Are you passionate about using your business development, marketing and fundraising skills to make a real difference? Do you have the energy and entrepreneurial flair to help our charity reach its potential?

About us

Claremont Project is an arts, mental health and wellbeing charity based in Angel, Islington, supporting mostly older adults. We support around 900 members aged from 55 to 101, many of whom face challenges with their mental or physical health, live with disabilities and first come through our doors feeling profoundly lonely and isolated. Our mission is to give people a chance to shine and to live happier, healthier and more connected lives: We nurture a welcoming and inclusive community where people in later life can flourish and feel like they matter.

We do this through:

• A vibrant programme of free and low-cost classes and activities

• Over 100 special events, concerts and parties each year

• A low-cost psychotherapy service

• A social prescription service offering personalised support to vulnerable adults

• Facilitating financial support for those in hardship

With a history stretching back to 1819, Claremont is standing at a pivotal crossroads. Our strategy sets our ambition to become a financially resilient organisation: A community anchor, with a diversified business model which means we can assure our members that Claremont will always be there for them.

About the role

The Business Development and Fundraising Manager will play a crucial role in delivering a key pillar of our strategy: to build Claremont's financial strength and sustainability.

The purpose of the role is to increase Claremont's income from hall hire, therapy room hire, office lettings and donations, so that we can strengthen our much-loved services for vulnerable people.

By tapping into unrealised revenue streams (especially from in our large and centrally located building) the Business Development and Fundraising Officer will bolster our independence and ensure that our services are not put at risk when grants come to an end.

Key relationships:

• CEO

• Buildings and Facilities Manager

• External hirers and prospective hirers

• Tenants and prospective tenants

• Individual givers

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Development, Marketing and Promotion

• Develop and implement marketing initiatives to increase bookings for Claremont's halls and meeting rooms.

• Promote our hire spaces across online platforms (such as TagVenue and Sharesy), build new partnerships, and grow bookings through local networking and word-of-mouth.

• Improve our online presence and promotional materials by creating engaging content, including photography, video tours, signage and marketing literature.

• Support the marketing and promotion of office space rentals, responding to prospective tenant enquiries and assisting with the lettings process.

• Monitor booking trends and recommend new opportunities to maximise bookings and income.

2. Customer Engagement and Venue Hire

• Work closely with the Facilities Manager to respond promptly and professionally to enquiries about hall and room hire.

• Welcome new hirers, deliver customer inductions and support them throughout the booking process.

• Build strong relationships with regular customers, identifying opportunities to improve their experience and encourage repeat bookings.

• Help coordinate office space lettings and provide an excellent experience for prospective and existing tenants.

• Continuously review and improve the customer journey, using feedback to enhance Claremont's venue hire and lettings offer.

3. Fundraising and Individual Giving

• Work with the Head of Operations to plan and deliver fundraising events, including the Claremont Exhibits Private View, Craft Fairs and new legacy programme activities.

• Develop and administer processes for Gift Aid and individual donations, ensuring records are accurate and compliant.

• Explore innovative ways to increase individual giving, improve donor engagement and reduce barriers to giving using digital tools.

• Support the development of Claremont's legacy giving programme and wider fundraising initiatives.

4. Operational Support

• Be an active member of Claremont's small team, contributing to the smooth day-to-day running of the centre.

• Provide occasional front desk cover during staff absences, welcoming visitors and responding to enquiries.

• Assist with setting up and packing away rooms and equipment for activities and events when required.

• Support the successful delivery of centre events and activities, working flexibly to meet operational needs.

• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role that contribute to Claremont's mission and objectives.

Person Specification

With energy, passion, and entrepreneurial flair, you'll be looking to take the next step and build your skills as in business development and fundraising professional.

Essential Criteria

Experience

• Experience of business development, marketing, sales, fundraising or customer engagement in the charity, public or commercial sector.

• Experience of promoting services or venues and achieving measurable improvements in customer engagement and income.

• Experience of providing excellent customer service and building positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Experience of organising projects from planning through to delivery.

• Experience of using digital tools and technology to promote services or support customers.

Knowledge

• Understanding of marketing and business development principles.

• Understanding of the importance of excellent customer experience and relationship management.

• Knowledge of fundraising methods, individual giving or donor stewardship, or a willingness to develop expertise in these areas.

• Ability to use digital tools for marketing and bookings management, with knowledge of (or ability to teach themselves) Wordpress and video editing.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with customers, tenants, partners, donors and colleagues.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

• Ability to identify opportunities to increase income and improve services.

• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce engaging promotional content and correspondence.

• Ability to work independently, take initiative and solve problems creatively.

• Ability to analyse information, monitor performance and make recommendations for improvement.

• Flexible and willing to contribute to the wider work of the organisation, including occasional evening or weekend events where required.

Personal Attributes

• Enthusiastic, proactive and self-motivated.

• Friendly, approachable and committed to delivering excellent customer service.

• Creative and entrepreneurial, with a willingness to generate new ideas and improve existing ways of working.

• Collaborative team player who is equally comfortable working independently.

• Adaptable and resilient, with a positive, can-do attitude.

• Committed to the values and mission of Claremont.

Desirable Criteria

Experience

• Experience of working in a charity or community organisation.

• Experience of venue hire, hospitality, property lettings or facilities management.

• Experience of fundraising, donor engagement or administering Gift Aid.

• Experience of managing partnerships or developing new business opportunities.

Knowledge

• Understanding of legacy fundraising, individual giving and Gift Aid.

• Knowledge of local community organisations, businesses and networks.

Qualifications

• A qualification in marketing, business, fundraising, communications or a related discipline; or equivalent relevant experience.

This job description is neither prescriptive nor totally inclusive of all the possible tasks or roles that are or may be expected of the post holder. The post holder may be from time to time called upon to undertake other tasks not explicitly stated here but which are consistent with the nature of the post and of Claremont's work.

To apply, please send a CV and covering letter to .

Deadline for applications: 5pm on Monday 28th September

Interviews: Thursday 8th and Friday 9th October