Development Coordinator
Application Deadline: 28 August 2025
Department: Development
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: London
Compensation: £28,000 - £30,000 / year
Description The Development Coordinator will play a vital role, supporting the Head of Development and wider Development team as they work towards securing funding for Somerset House Trust from individuals, trusts & foundations and corporate and brand partners. This is a fast-paced and varied role for a committed and enthusiastic colleague. You will be expected to work to deadlines, collaborating closely with colleagues in other departments across the organisation including Finance, Marketing, Press, Live Events, Exhibitions and Studios.
The Development team has a strong track record for working with sponsors and partners across some of London's most exciting and culturally relevant events and exhibitions. These include the Summer Series with American Express, SKATE and the exhibitions CUTE and SOIL. Our partnership with Morgan Stanley was the recipient of a UK Sponsorship Award for two years' running. Somerset House does not receive any regular public funding, therefore income from sponsorship and fundraising is especially important to enabling us to realise our ambitions for the cultural programme. Our aim is to maximise philanthropic and other income opportunities for the organisation.
What we are looking for: Gift and Sponsorship administration
- Keep our CRM system Tessitura up-to-date, updating supporter plans and working with colleagues to develop fundraising reports, as well as ensuring records are clean and GDPR compliant.
- Produce regular department reports against targets via Tessitura, including board papers.
- Provide outstanding donor care, working with the team to ensure donors are appropriately and promptly thanked and stewarded, and that benefits are delivered, including responding to requests for tickets and other special access.
- Support the Development Manager, Individuals and Corporate Partnerships Executive with the development of the Supporters' Court and Corporate Membership newsletters.
- Raise purchase orders on our Finance system, Iplicit, and liaise with the Finance team on payment of gifts, grants and sponsorships.
- Update donor acknowledgements on donor boards, the website and in printed materials
- Provide the necessary information to support the annual Gift Aid claim.
Event planning
- Lead on the planning and delivery of Development cultivation and stewardship events programme from sending invitations to event management, working closely with Somerset House's Commercial Events Operations team.
- Ensure all guests are followed up appropriately after attending events.
Research & Impact Monitoring
- Undertake research assignments on potential donors and sponsors in accordance with our due diligence protocols, producing detailed prospect research profiles as required.
- Gather relevant information, metrics and case studies from across the organisation and support colleagues by producing clear and impactful content for funding reports
General
- Provide proactive administrative support to the Head of Development including co-ordinating and minuting meetings, preparing briefings, diary management and managing expense claims.
- Provide robust administration support across the team including acting as the first point of contact for enquiries received via the 'Support Us' inbox and by phone
- Work with the Marketing & Comms team to make updates to the website on behalf of the Development team.
- Ensure that all activities are compliant with Somerset House's Health & Safety policies and that all data and records are in line with Somerset House's Privacy Policy and GDPR guidelines.
- Keep up to date with business systems upgrades, including Tessitura and Zkipster.
- Act as an ambassador for Somerset House's work externally, promoting Somerset House's vision and programme amongst professional networks.
- Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required in the post.
Skills, knowledge & expertise required for the role:
Essential - Strong office-based administrative and time management skills.
- Good IT literacy, including MS Office and databases.
- Good organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to prioritise and consistently meet deadlines.
- Confident and clear communicator across all channels.
- Strong data manipulation skills (e.g. building guest lists).
- Ability to deal with multiple projects at any one time.
- Flexible, with a strong work ethic.
- Excellent proof-reading and writing skills, with an eye for detail.
- Interest in fundraising and charity operations.
- Calm and self-motivated, with the ability to work well in a team.
- Understanding of and enthusiasm for the arts and creative sector.
Desirable - Experience of working with Tessitura or other similar CRM systems.
- Experience of working for an arts/cultural organisation or a charity.
- Familiarity with membership scheme processes.
- An interest in understanding the 'bigger picture' and contributing to the fundraising strategy.
Benefits to working at Somerset House
Mental Health & Wellbeing - Access to our external Employee Assistance Programme (CiC) for free 24/7 confidential advice and support, including up to 6 free counselling sessions per year where needed - Mental health support and guidance from our in-house trained Mental Health First Aiders - Hybrid working based on having 3 days in the office per week (pro rata if part-time)
- Contribution towards eye tests and glasses
-Trust life insurance scheme
- We offer winter flu vaccination vouchers
dependent on the needs of the role
Holiday - Enhanced annual leave - 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata) - Birthday leave - additional day leave - Celebration day - to celebrate anything of your choice
Other Leave - Sick leave - 20 days full pay, followed by 20 days half pay (pro rata & following 3 months service) - Emergency dependent care - option to use 25% of paid sick leave for emergency care of a dependent (pro rata & following 3 months of service) - Enhanced maternity pay
Benefits - 8% employer pension contributions, no employee contribution required - Option for salary sacrifice - Season ticket loan - Cycle to Work scheme
Discounts, offers and free stuff
-The list is endless and includes tickets to Somerset House events and entrance to other London Heritage sites
-Discounts in Somerset House cafes and restaurants
-Discounts with various high street retailers and restaurants
-Discounts to local leisure centres
following 3 months of employment