Head of Development

iniva is seeking a passionate and driven Head of Development to join the iniva team on a full-time, permanent basis.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to take the lead on shaping how we sustain and grow our work — from our exhibitions and programmes to the Stuart Hall Library and archive.

You’ll be joining a dedicated, collaborative team that cares deeply about what we do. Working at iniva is highly rewarding, with a pace that can be lively, hands-on and varied. We’re a small organisation, so we value people who are comfortable managing their own time, juggling different tasks and taking initiative. In return, you’ll help grow a collection used and valued by artists, students, researchers and communities across the UK and beyond.

Role Purpose

Head of Development is a new full-time role at iniva, created to diversify and grow the organisation’s income. We are seeking someone to initiate, lead and deliver a development strategy spanning trusts and foundations, individual giving and earned income. The role manages relationships with key funders and cultivates new and existing supporters and donors, while also expanding our earned income from editions and publications.

The Head of Development will work closely with the Artistic Director and Finance & Operations Director to support organisational growth through strong communication and relationship management. The role will report to the Finance & Operations Director. As a small and collaborative organisation, the post-holder will combine strategic leadership with hands-on fundraising activity, including bid writing and relationship management, while also helping to shape the role in line with our ambitious programme and fundraising targets.

They will be supported by the General Manager, who leads on funder reporting, and the Programme and Fundraising Assistant, who oversees fundraising administration. This structure ensures sufficient capacity for the Head of Development to focus on strategic growth.

The Head of Development will be responsible for delivering iniva’s annual fundraising target (currently £120,000), with scope to grow income over time through the development of new funding streams and supporter relationships. Success in this role will be measured through the delivery of annual fundraising targets, the development of a strong funding pipeline, growth in individual and corporate support, and the strengthening of long-term relationships with funders and supporters.

Read the full job description, personal specification and about the project in the recruitment pack: here.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for an experienced fundraising professional who is driven, passionate, approachable and committed to take the lead on shaping how we sustain and grow our work.

You will have demonstrable experience of successful bid-writing, clear income generation skills, excellent communication skills with a wide range of stakeholders, and a track record of meeting income targets.

You will bring detailed knowledge of the current fundraising environment and the challenges facing those raising funds within the charity, arts, and culture sectors, and have experience of cultivating high net-worth individuals and managing individual giving initiatives, strong budget management skills, and be able to prepare reports at board-level.

We particularly welcome those with a commitment to centring diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and social impact in your work by demonstrable, practical means.

We do not expect candidates to meet every criteria. If you meet most and are excited by the role, we encourage you to apply.

Candidates from underrepresented communities are particularly encouraged to apply for this role. We welcome applications from everyone who meets the person specification of the role.

How to Apply

Please send a CV and a Personal Statement (both documents should be no longer than 2 pages and in PDF or Word formatting) outlining why you want to work for iniva, and how you meet the person specification and completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to recruitment@iniva.org with ‘Head of Development’ as the email subject.  

As part of your application please also provide the names of two referees who can be contacted upon receipt of a conditional job offer.

We guarantee first round interviews to candidates who self-identify as having a disability and have demonstrable senior fundraising experience. If you see yourself as someone who meets these criteria, please say so in your supporting statement.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Deadline

The deadline for applications is Monday 13 April 2026 at 5pm.
Applications received after this time will not be accepted.

Interviews

First round interviews will take place on Wednesday 29 April 2026. This will involve a short presentation, or similar and full details will be provided in advance upon invitation to interview.

A second-round interview will then place, if required, will take place on Tuesday 5 May 2026 for successful candidates.

If you require any of this information in an alternative format, then please email info@iniva.org

Please note due to limited resources, unfortunately, applicants not shortlisted for the first round of interviews will not be informed.

Enquiries

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Susannah Gorgeous, Finance and Operations Director: Susannah@iniva.org

General enquiries about the application process: info@iniva.org