Head of Individual Giving

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading arts organization in the UK is seeking a Head of Individual Giving to oversee fundraising efforts during a maternity cover. You will manage relationships with individual supporters, ensuring high-quality stewardship for Patrons and Friends programmes, and organize special events. The ideal candidate will have experience in fundraising and strong communication skills. This is a fixed-term contract for 10 months, starting in March 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience in individual giving or fundraising.
• Strong communication skills for donor engagement.
• Ability to manage relationships with individual supporters.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop relationships with individual supporters.
• Oversee the Friends scheme and legacy programme.
• Plan high-quality supporter events.

Skills

Fundraising

Relationship management

Communication skills

Event planning

Tools

Tessitura

Job description

The OAE is recruiting a fixed-term Head of Individual Giving as maternity cover from early March 2026.

The OAE Development team raises over £1m annually. The Head of Individual Giving will play a vital role in securing funds towards this target and be responsible for all Individual Giving, including our popular Patrons and Friends programmes.

The successful candidate will raise funds to support the OAE's concert activity, education work and our pioneering residency in Acland Burghley School. In this role you will line manage the two Development Officers and you will work closely with the Development Director, the rest of the Development team and the CEO.

The OAE has a loyal and generous family of individual supporters, and you will manage the delivery of high-quality stewardship for these supporters through communications, regular meeting and special events, including a Gala, celebrating OAE's 40th anniversary in June 2026. You will also work with the Development and wider OAE team, as well as Trustees and players, to build a network of prospective supporters, introducing them to the OAE's work through concerts, visits to Acland Burghley School and supporters' events.

This role focuses on managing and developing relationships with individual supporters, including Friends, Patrons, legacy pledgers and new prospects. This includes building and maintaining a robust donor pipeline in Tessitura, researching potential supporters, and implementing effective cultivation and stewardship strategies. The post-holder ensures accurate processing of donations and direct debits, co-leads the Friends scheme, oversees the legacy programme, and plans high-quality supporter events such as Patrons' trips, galas and concert stewardship. They also collaborate with colleagues, Board members and Trustees to identify new individual donor opportunities and support wider fundraising campaigns.

To find out more and for details on how to apply, please see the recruitment pack on our website.

This is a fixed-term contract of 10 months with an anticipated start of early March 2026.

The deadline for applications is 9:00 on Monday 26th January 2026.

Interviews will take place the week commencing 2nd February 2026.