Development Assistant

Role Summary The Development Department is responsible for generating over a third of the Wallace Collection’s annual income through a variety of income streams including individual donors, trusts and foundations and corporate partners. This income enables the Collection to achieve its principal aims outlined in the Museum’s strategy for 2025-2028: . The recently announced transformational […]

Role Summary

The Development Department is responsible for generating over a third of the Wallace Collection’s annual income through a variety of income streams including individual donors, trusts and foundations and corporate partners. This income enables the Collection to achieve its principal aims outlined in the Museum’s strategy for 2025-2028: . The recently announced transformational masterplan will be a major focus for the Development Department in the years ahead and an opportunity to make a step-change in fundraising at the Wallace Collection.

The Development Department has recently expanded following a generous gift from the Kate and Marcus Agius Charitable Foundation, which has enabled the creation of two new manager roles. The Development Assistant will report to the Development Manager: Research and Operations.

The Development Assistant will play a critical role in helping to deliver a step-change in fundraising at the Wallace Collection to support the ambitious plans. The successful candidate provides support across the team and helps ensure that robust fundraising and financial processes are in place throughout the Development team. The post holder will play a vital role in supporting the fundraising efforts of the Collection by delivering high-quality philanthropic research, including donor profiles and briefing documents. They will help support the identification, qualification, and research of prospective donors to build a robust and strategic pipeline of support, with a particular emphasis on securing funding for the masterplan capital works. The Development Assistant may also be required to assist the Director’s Office from time to time.

Role Description

Fundraising Administration and Prospect Research

• Assist the Development Manager: Research & Operations with the identification, qualification and research of new prospective major donors.
• Assist the Development Manager: Research & Operations with the preparation of tailored profiles and briefings for colleagues and stakeholders for meetings/visits with assigned donors and prospects.
• Work with the Development Manager: Research and Operations to carry out due diligence on potential incoming gifts.
• Assist colleagues in the Development team with:
  • The administration of the Benefactor and American Friends Programmes, including renewals, receipts and event coordination.
  • Corporate partnership administration, including writing receipts and updating the database.
  • Trust & Foundation Grant administration, including writing applications, reports and receipts.
  • Major Donor and project administration, including thank you letters, saving donation forms, updating records and acknowledgements.
  • The administration and delivery of the Membership scheme.
  • The administration of the onsite donation boxes.
• Help with design and copy for fundraising material, including invitations, brochures and fundraising pages on the website.
• Support the Individual Giving Officer with the publication of the bi-annual Newsletter, inc. by creating content, liaising with the designer and printer and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Coordinate mailings of brochures, invitations and ad hoc material.

CRM, Data and Financial Processes

• Maintain and update the database of donors in a timely and accurate fashion.
• Coordinate the creation and management of concise and accurate guest lists, donor panels and profiles for Development events.
• Collect and process department invoices and expenses, and to reconcile the Department’s donations monthly with statements from the Finance Department.

Other

• Assist the Director of Development with diary management, meeting preparations and note-taking.
• Liaise with a range of internal and external parties, including Trustees, the Development Committee and other Wallace Collection Departments.
• Support the Development Office in any appropriate way in order to fulfil the key responsibilities for the office and to assist in digital, out-of-office or after-hours activities and events as required.

Person Specification

Essential

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent attention to details and strong organisational skills.
• High standards of presentation, ability to keep calm under pressure and problem-solving mindset.
• Ability to manage and prioritise a busy workload.
• Someone who is friendly, flexible and enjoys teamwork.
• Enthusiasm and passion for the Wallace Collection.

How to Apply

Please complete the Application Form, and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, following the links provided on our website. Please note the equal opportunities form is used for monitoring purposes only and does not form part of the selection process. Both forms should be emailed by midnight 09/11/2025. Please note late applications or applications via a CV will not be considered.

Interviews for the role will take place on 13/11/2025 and 14/11/2025. Candidates who have been shortlisted for interview will be contacted after the closing date. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it will not be possible to contact or give feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted for interview.

Start date: As soon as possible

Appointment to the role is subject to a satisfactory Basic Disclosure check. The Wallace Collection is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.