Join our team!
Could you be our new Fundraising Development Manager?
Fundraising Development Manager
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Fundraising Development Manager to join the Bright Shadow team at a pivotal moment for our charity.
Responsible for developing and delivering Bright Shadow’s long-term income strategy, you will play an important role at the heart of our organisation. As well as managing our funding pipeline and relationships with funders and donors, you will build a diverse and sustainable funding portfolio to support our ambitious creative programme for people living with and affected by dementia.
Why this role?
Bright Shadow has secured funding for this new position for the next three years, and we’re looking for someone to join our team at a pivotal moment. Our award-winning Zest programme is expanding in autumn 2026, we’re building our Dementia Arts Quality Framework, and we’re continuing to expand our capacity to co-create projects thanks to our Campfire Conversations and Open Forums.
Our team is small but mighty, including our fantastic inclusive board of trustees, two of whom live with dementia. We know we need to add an experienced fundraising manager to our team to help us build our community of support. Could that be you?
About the role
Working closely with the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees, you will:
- Develop and implement a long-term fundraising strategy
- Build and manage a strong funding pipeline across trusts and foundations, individuals, corporates, commissioning and earned income
- Write compelling funding applications and reports
- Develop new income streams and partnerships
- Steward relationships with funders, donors and key stakeholders
- Ensure robust systems for tracking income, reporting and compliance
This role combines strategy, relationship-building and hands-on delivery, and will play a central role in shaping Bright Shadow’s future.
About us
Founded in 2009, at Bright Shadow we do dementia differently. Serving Kent and Medway, we make ambitious, enriching, joyful experiences that use the power of the arts and creativity to enable people living with dementia – and those who give care – to live happy, healthy lives.
We understand the impact of a diagnosis, yet our work fosters positivity: focusing on what we can do, not what we can’t. People with dementia, family members, expert artists and other professionals are all part of co-creating our high quality artistic work.
Our trademark Zest groups, wider creative programme, and our training and resources for organisations seeking to be dementia inclusive, are all rooted in our passionate belief in authentic relationship-centred care.
About you
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has a strong track record of securing income from multiple sources
- Is an excellent writer and communicator
- Can think strategically while delivering day-to-day fundraising activity
- Is highly organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities
- Builds strong relationships and works collaboratively
- Is passionate about creativity, community and living well with dementia
Experience in digital fundraising, commissioning or the arts/health sector would be an advantage.
Role details
Post reports to: Chief Executive
Post works alongside: Chief Executive, Director of Creative Research
Hours: 0.6 FTE – 3 days (21 hours) per week. Working pattern negotiable. Occasionally, flexibility may be required to ensure duties are delivered to a high standard and within deadlines (3 days per week)
Location: Remote, with some travel for meetings required.
Salary: £38,000 FTE (£22,800 pro rata)
Download our application form using the button below and email your completed form to recruitment@brightshadow.org.uk by noon on 27th May 2026.