Director of Development

At a time of refreshed ambition and direction, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is looking for a new Director of Development to join its executive leadership team.   

The Trust is an accredited museum, cares for and shares a Designated Collection with Shakespeare documents inscribed on the UNESCO International Memory of the World Register. The Trust is also one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations and is in the vanguard of delivering the Let’s Create strategy, enabling it to focus more creatively on communities less engaged in arts, heritage, and culture. 

As part of this the Trust has substantial ambitions to develop its existing Shakespeare sites and to explore new opportunities. The Director of Development will play a central role in helping shape this vision and making it a reality by identifying and exploring avenues for major capital and revenue support.

Like many organisations, the Trust finds itself in a dynamic and fluid situation as a result of the pandemic and its impact. Nevertheless, it retains its own strong sense of its timeless and important mission - to share Shakespeare and his heritage with the world. The Trust’s response to the pandemic and its approach to the future has attracted significant support from Arts Council England and the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. The Trust is charged by Act of Parliament to preserve the world’s greatest Shakespearian heritage assets for the benefit of the nation and to share them around the globe.

A new five-year strategy has been agreed and aims to:

• Celebrate Stratford-upon-Avon as the world’s greatest Shakespeare destination

• Offer audiences the best Shakespeare museum experiences in the world 

• Offer an unrivalled and distinctive range of Shakespeare-related learning experiences

• Work as a dynamic, ambitious and inclusive organisation fuelled by research, knowledge and passion.

Excited about what the future holds, the possibilities for its work and what it means for the lives of people and communities, the Trust is looking for exceptional and inspirational candidates who can shape, drive and deliver the next phase of its development.

Candidates will bring a strong track record of fundraising across a range of sources and will have played a leading role in a successful major capital campaign. Stakeholder management and communication skills will be critical. 

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as a search agency advisor to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference PAJAEA. Alternatively, telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Friday 14th January 2022.