HEAD OF MAJOR GIFTS Appointment Brief April 2019 1
APRIL 2019
HEAD OF MAJOR GIFTS | APPOINTMENT BRIEF
INTRODUCTION Dear Candidate, Thank you for very much for your interest in this new Head of Major Gifts role at Somerset House. After reading this Candidate Pack, I very much hope you’ll feel you have the necessary skills, experience and enthusiasm to make an application. Somerset House has undergone significant change over the last few years having transformed what were previously Inland Revenue offices into Somerset House Studios. We are now home to the UK’s largest concentration of creative enterprises which has helped us to refine our vision as an inspirational creative community where contemporary culture is imagined and made, as well as experienced, all in a historic setting. We now have almost 100 artists resident with us as part of Somerset House Studios and we will open a new shared workspace for freelancers and creative start-ups this autumn, with support from the Mayor’s Good Growth Fund. Alongside this our cultural programme has become more clearly defined in line with our overall vision with recent highlights including Good Grief, Charlie Brown!, which attracted our second highest ever visitor figures. Similarly, our Learning & Skills programme has become more focused with the development of our Creative Careers Programme, which draws on the whole creative ecosystem at Somerset House to give young people the skills, networks and experience needed to embark on meaningful careers in the cultural sector. As a result of this groundwork, we are now feeling confident about embarking on a major capital project to create a new flexible auditorium space and new public realm on a part of the site known as West Street. We have completed an initial capital works and fundraising scoping exercise and our Trustees have committed to the next stage, which includes recruiting for this key Head of Major Gifts position. We hope to find an experienced fundraiser who shares our passion for creating a new kind of cultural centre and who can bring with them knowledge and expertise from other capital campaigns. If this is you, you would have the chance to work with us to set the shape of the campaign and to frame the case for support. You would be working closely with myself, director Jonathan Reekie, our Chairman and Trustees. Whilst you would be joining a small revenue focused Development team, our Trustees recognise that investing in staff resource will be essential to moving the West Street capital campaign forwards. We worked with the Philanthropy Company on an initial pre-feasibility fundraising scoping exercise and they are continuing to support us on a fuller feasibility study. We are also about to commission consultants to work on Somerset House’s overall messaging and narrative, which we know will play an important role in the development of our case for support and other campaign communications. We nearly have the key ingredients in place to accelerate our fundraising in general and to embark on the West Street capital campaign. We are therefore very much looking forward to appointing this new role and hope you will consider applying. Diana Spiegelberg Deputy Director
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APRIL 2019
HEAD OF MAJOR GIFTS | APPOINTMENT BRIEF
BACKGROUND TO SOMERSET HOUSE Somerset House seeks to be an inspirational creative community where contemporary culture is imagined, created and experienced. For 250 years, Somerset House has played a central role in our society as a place where our culture and collective understanding of the world is shaped and defined. In 2000, it began its reinvention as a cultural powerhouse for today, advancing a new generation of creative thinkers who are pushing intellectual and creative boundaries and shifting perceptions of our culture. We celebrate our heritage by looking to the future with renewed social purpose, creating unique and stimulating experiences for the public, bringing them into direct contact with ideas from the greatest artists, makers and thinkers of our time. Located at the geographical heart of London, we are uniquely placed to serve the capital, the country beyond and the wider world. A registered charity, we operate an independent economic model where commercial and artistic imperatives comfortably co-exist. At Somerset House, art is embedded within a wider community of creative enterprise, creating a pragmatic and viable vision for the arts and cultural centre of the 21st century. Our vision is to become the UK’s leading centre for contemporary culture, with unexpected ideas and experiences emerging from the intersection of the three groups that constitute our unique cultural ecosystem.
For the public, we seek to be an inspirational place to experience the work of
today’s boldest minds, providing intellectual and cultural connections with new ideas and the people behind them. The combination of our celebrated neo-classical setting and our bold, forward-thinking output creates surprising, stimulating and joyful shared experiences for our visitors.
For artists and makers of all disciplines, we seek to encourage experimentation
and the creation of new work. We are somewhere for today’s creative generation to take risks, to push boundaries, to collaborate, and go beyond the obvious.
For the wider creative community, we seek to be a home to the largest cluster
of creative enterprises in London, a mutually-supportive community ranging from startups to established creative businesses, where the best people, ideas and organisations can thrive.
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OUR AMBITION In the last three years we have grown a Development team and we now wish to expand this, building on the achievements to date and to secure new capital and revenue donors. The Director and Trustees are committed to supporting and growing the Development team. Therefore, we envisage that in time this post would line manage a number of subsequent appointments. In the meantime, we are continuing to work with the Philanthropy Company, who are providing some strategic consultancy on the next stage of our West Street campaign.
We have recently completed a pre-feasibility scoping period for an ambitious capital project – West Street - which has established the parameters for the project ensuring that there is sufficient physical space for the project on site and no obvious heritage or structural impediments. This scoping project also assessed the likely project costs and considered the ongoing business model. We also worked with the Philanthropy Company on an initial pre-feasibility fundraising scoping exercise to assess organizational readiness and to inform next steps. Trustee have committed to the next phase of feasibility for the capital project and to recruiting this new Major Gifts role, which is an important next step towards the launch of our capital campaign.
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APRIL 2019
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ROLE DESCRIPTION ROLE: DEPARTMENT: REPORTS TO: SALARY:
Head of Major Gifts Development Deputy Director, Somerset House Competitive, commensurate with experience
PURPOSE Somerset House is at an exciting stage of its development as it creates a dynamic centre for contemporary culture. Following a period of successful fundraising the new role of Head of Major Gifts has been created to attract an experienced fundraiser to work as part of a small effective team. The Head of Major Gifts will have a critical role in building major gift prospects and in shaping a major new capital campaign. We have recently begun an initial feasibility study to create an innovative, flexible performance space and accompanying new public realm that would embody Somerset House’s vision as a new kind of centre for creativity, where contemporary culture is imagined, made and created. We are seeking a dynamic fundraising professional who has experience of successful capital fundraising and securing major gifts. We are looking for someone who would thrive in the context of setting the agenda at the early stages of a capital campaign, and who will grow their role and their involvement as the project gets underway.
KEY CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS During the first twelve months in post, the Head of Major Gifts will:
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Put the building blocks in place for a successful capital campaign for West Street. Develop a convincing and eye-catching case for support that will appeal to individuals capable of giving significant gifts to the capital campaign. Be a champion for the West Street capital campaign appeal internally and externally. Identify and begin solicitation with at least 12 new major gift prospects. Make significant steps towards securing five and six figure gifts, ideally securing financial support within the first twelve months.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES MAJOR GIFTS – PROSPECTS, CULTIVATION & FUNDRAISING • •
• •
• • •
Lead, develop and implement a major donor strategy, with a particular focus on the West Street capital campaign. Develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies for prospects, agreeing these with the Deputy Director and ensuring all donor interests are met and the best possible support is secured for Somerset House. Shape and deliver a high quality and effective stewardship strategy and engagement programme. Lead the contribution of the Director, Deputy Director, Trustees and Development Advisory Board in identifying and soliciting major prospects. Prepare a bespoke cultivation plan for each major donor relationship and liaise with colleagues to manage the delivery of the plan. Ensure that appropriate stewardship and donor acknowledgement is in place. Look to grow the Major Gifts team as and when applicable.
CAMPAIGN DEVELOPMENT •
• •
Work with the Director and Deputy Director to develop West Street fundraising strategy and action plan, making key recommendations to the Board of Trustees. Develop the West Street case for support and funding proposition, in line with refining the case for support for Somerset House more broadly. Build on the work on the Philanthropy Company to realise the systems and processes required for the capital campaign including the naming policy and hierarchy, gift table and options for donor engagement.
COMMUNICATIONS & PROPOSALS •
Draft and shape the case for support and other campaign materials.
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Develop and create well-presented proposals. Contribute to the wider shaping and implementation of a communications strategy for Somerset House more broadly. Consider and contribute to how Somerset House’s fundraising needs are articulated to all visitors and audiences appropriately and relevantly at every possible opportunity.
ADMINISTRATION • • • • •
Maintain up-to-date records of correspondence with all donors and prospects. Ensure the highest standards of data capture are maintained on Tessitura, ensuring that this is all in line with GDPR and other privacy laws. Ensure donors’ accreditation expectations are consistently recorded and fulfilled. Maintain high standards in financial processes and record-keeping. Prepare tailored briefing information for other colleagues, Trustees or Development Advisory Board members meeting donors or prospects at events or at meetings.
GENERAL • • • •
Build effective internal relationships across departments. Provide regular reports and updates for the Deputy Director to share with the Board of Trustees. Keep abreast of best fundraising practice, with an eye to spotting new trends and future opportunities. Work with the Deputy Director to advance wider Development objectives for Somerset House and undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required in the post.
The post will require some evening and early morning work, including attending early morning and evening cultivation and network events and exhibition openings.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Previous experience of playing a key role in a successful capital fundraising campaign. Proven track record of achieving six figure major gifts. A strategic mindset with the ability to develop and implement policies and procedures to support best fundraising practice. Well-developed relationship management skills, with the interpersonal skills to build relationships at all levels, including with donors, Trustees and other senior volunteers. Ability to take a systematic approach to major gift prospecting, fundraising and stewardship with an ability shape and implement the required processes across the organisation. Creative and innovative drive to consider new approaches to make Somerset House’s fundraising offer as distinctive as our cultural programme. Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail. Strong proposal-writing skills and ability to help shape case for support and other campaign materials. Clear understanding of how to make best use of CRM database and ability to work with personal and confidential information in line with relevant privacy and data protection regulation. Demonstrable ability to work under pressure and within a focused, target orientated environment. Collaborative approach to working with colleagues and as part of a team. Competent user of fundraising CRM system, with an ability to share knowledge and help train others. Strong interest and empathy with the mission of Somerset House.
DESIRABLE • • •
Passion for contemporary artistic practice. Familiarity with the Tessitura CRM system. Experiencing of running effective fundraising events.
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BENEFITS PERMANENT AND FIXED TERM STAFF Life Assurance
Four times annual salary (permanent employees) Four times earnings since start date (fixed term employees less than one year)
Pension
8% employer contribution
Employee Assistance Programme
Around the clock free confidential assistance and advice
Holiday Entitlement
25 days plus statutory holidays Additional day’s leave for birthday
Maternity Leave*
1 year leave 12 weeks full pay 12 weeks half pay 15 weeks Statutory Maternity Pay
Paternity Leave*
1 week full pay 1 week Statutory Paternity Pay
Discretionary Trust Benefits
Season ticket loans Cycle to Work scheme Free access to other museums/exhibitions (list on request) 2x free tickets to choice of Summer Screen Film 2x free tickets to choice of Summer Series Gig 2x free tickets to choice of Skate session Discounts at onsite restaurants, bars and cafes Preferential membership fees at King’s College gym Occasional additional all staff annual leave days
* Subject to Terms and Conditions available in the company Staff Handbook.
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APRIL 2019
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HOW TO APPLY Please forward a CV together with a supporting statement (maximum two pages of A4). 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 recruitment timetable. Applications should be made via the Prospectus website: www.prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/details/ HQ00174945
RECRUITMENT TIMETABLE Deadline for applications: Thursday 25th April First round interviews: w/c Monday 6th May
QUERIES If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact Ryan Burdock at Prospectus on 020 7405 4999, or email: ryan.burdock@prospect-us.co.uk
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