Barbican - Head of Capital Campaigns by Prospectus

Head of Capital Campaigns

Appointment Brief

Photo © Max Colson

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the role of Head of Capital Campaigns at the Barbican Centre.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in the role of Head of Capital Campaigns at the Barbican Centre.

This is a pivotal moment for us as we launch Barbican Renewal, a major capital programme which will ensure every part of our iconic brutalist site is restored, revitalised and made relevant for future generations - starting with our Foyers, Lakeside and Conservatory, which will be complete by our 50th anniversary. We’re excited to be opening up this new opportunity to shape and lead the capital fundraising strategy for this ambitious transformation.

As one of the most significant capital projects in the culture sector today, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an exceptional capital fundraiser to help bring our ambitions to life.

In this role, you will lead every aspect of the capital campaign, working closely with me, our CEO, Director of Buildings of Renewal and our wider Executive team, Board and Trustees. Your leadership will be instrumental in building the strategy, securing major gifts, and ensuring the campaign’s success. You will inspire and motivate the Development team, working alongside the Head of Philanthropy and Head of Corporate Partnerships to achieve ambitious fundraising targets across statutory grants, major gifts, trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, and public individual giving. You’ll also have the opportunity to build your own team, working alongside Development colleagues to shape and deliver the campaign.

With the City of London Corporation already committing £191M, this is a rare and exciting opportunity to lead a transformational £50M + fundraising campaign to also encompass programmatic activity. We’re seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial leader with a proven track record in multi-million-pound capital campaigns.

You will be a persuasive communicator, a confident problem solver, and an expert in building lasting donor relationships. As a key member of the senior management team, you’ll collaborate across the Barbican Centre and the City of London Corporation — working in person, online, and alongside teams across the organisation.

This role requires agility, resilience, and an enterprising mindset. You’ll be a best-in-class fundraiser, a collaborative team player, and a sophisticated relationship builder who can navigate the complexity of a multi-faceted organisation.

Our values — Inclusive, Sustainable, Connected, Daring, and Joyful — guide everything we do and we’re looking for a candidate who embodies these qualities.

We hope you’ll consider bringing your talents to our team — and we look forward to hearing from you.

Natasha Harris Director of Development

The Barbican Centre

The Barbican is a catalyst for creativity, sparking possibilities for artists, audiences, and communities.

We are one of the world’s leading multi-arts centres and a key player in the global arts and culture ecosystem. Unlike any other arts and culture institution, we host every artform under one roof and our international touring programme extends our reach worldwide.

As the cultural heart of the City of London, we collaborate with partners and stakeholders from around 80 different countries a year, host 4,000 events annually and welcome up to 2 million visitors every year - that’s around 40,000 people each week - while contributing £86 million to the UK economy. We are committed to making the arts accessible to all through free events, education and community programmes, and we have 77,000 Young Barbican Members. We showcase the most exciting art from around the world, pushing traditional artistic boundaries to entertain and inspire millions of people, create connections, provoke debate, and reflect the world we live in.

The Barbican Centre is a unique and audacious building, recognised globally as an architectural icon. As well as our theatres, galleries, concert halls and cinemas, we have a large conservatory with over 1,500 species of plants and trees, a library, conference facilities, public and community spaces, restaurants, bars, and a picturesque lakeside oasis.

We’re proud to be the home of the London Symphony Orchestra, and a London base of the Royal Shakespeare Company. We regularly co-commission, produce and showcase the work of our other associates and partners including the Academy of Ancient Music, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Boy Blue, Darbar Festival, Doc’n Roll Film Festival, Drum Works, EFG London Jazz Festival, London Palestine Film Festival, Serious, and Trafalgar Theatre Productions

We’ve just embarked on the most profound period of

change and transformation in our 43-year history – one that will make us more sustainable, inclusive and able to reach larger, more diverse audiences. Our Renewal Programme will ensure every part of our iconic brutalist site is restored, revitalised and made relevant for future generationsstarting with our iconic free-to-use spaces, the Foyers, Lakeside and Conservatory, which will be complete by our 50th anniversary. Yet it’s not just about our building. We are also evolving our artistic vision, brand and internal culture, redefining what a major arts institution can be today, and this work is happening at pace.

Photo © Dion Barrett

Photo © Max Colson

Photo © Dion Barrett

Barbican Renewal Programme

Barbican Renewal is our plan to ensure every part of the Barbican Centre’s iconic site is restored, revitalised and relevant for future generations.

The Barbican is a Grade II listed Brutalist icon, recognised as one of the UK’s architectural treasures. Since we opened our doors in 1982, we have become a world-renowned destination, offering a creative programme of unique breadth in spaces of exceptional architectural significance.

At the heart of Renewal is a commitment to celebrating the architectural vision and heritage of the Centre, with a programme of sensitive conservation and upgrade to bring the buildings back to their best, while also delivering a place that is truly inclusive, sustainable and resilient.

Over the past four decades, the buildings have been visited by up to 2m people a year and systems and fabric have aged to a degree where parts of the Centre are at genuine risk of closure. Through Renewal, key free public spaces will be restored and revitalised, ready to welcome future generations of visitors.

A full masterplan has been developed, which will touch every aspect of the site. This first five year phase will see the most impactful and public-facing changes take place in existing Barbican facilities; including the Conservatory, the Foyers and the Lakeside Terrace. All of these iconic spaces offer enormous potential for engaging supporters.

Thanks to foundational funding of £191m from the City of London Corporation, we are now able to commit to delivering the next major phase of work as part of a fiveyear programme to forge the Centre’s future.

The City investment represents around 80% of the amount needed for the full five-year plan, and will support critical repairs and upgrades. A major fundraising campaign will be launched in 2025 to enable complete restoration and refurbishment of key public spaces including the unique brutalist foyers, lakeside terrace, and conservatory – the largest glasshouse in central London. Funding raised will unlock these celebrated spaces for all, deliver major new creative community and learning activities, and make significant sustainability improvements to ensure net-zero commitments are met.

Subject to planning permission, construction will begin in 2027 with this first phase complete in time for the Barbican’s 50th anniversary in 2032. We will keep this page updated with information as the projects develop.

Our Governance

The City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the founder and principal funder of the Barbican Centre; the Barbican operates as a department of the City Corporation. The principal governing body of the Corporation is the Court of Common Council, whose Members are elected by the residents and businesses of the City. The Barbican Centre Board is the governing body of the Barbican Centre, working within the framework of the Corporation’s committee structure, responsible for setting the strategy and scrutinising the performance of the Centre and its activities.

The Barbican Centre Trust

A fundamental tenet of the Barbican Centre’s philosophy is that we want to offer the widest possible access to culture, giving everyone the opportunity to encounter and enjoy creativity.

We’re not-for-profit. To keep our programme accessible to everyone, and to invest in the artists we work with, we need to raise more than 61% of our income through ticket sales, commercial activities and fundraising every year. The Barbican Centre Trust is the Barbican Centre’s charitable and fundraising arm, and we work to cultivate and grow our community of major supporters, corporate sponsors, and grant makers. Their donations and other funding enable us to continue investing in our arts and learning programme.

You can read more about the Trust here. The Barbican Centre Trust and its Trustees have separate responsibilities to the Barbican Centre Board, which is responsible for the oversight of the Barbican Centre as a department of the City of London Corporation. However, the Chair of the Centre Board and the Chair of the Trust Board have ex-officio seats on both bodies, and there is an excellent and productive dialogue between them. Led by the Chair, Farmida Bi, and Vice-Chair, Robert Glick, our Trustees lead the way in making introductions and strengthening connections with individuals, corporates and trusts who can help us achieve ambitious fundraising targets. Trustees use their networks and expertise to help us unlock transformative opportunities, securing crucial income for the Centre’s work.

Our key income streams are: Corporate, Individual Giving, and Grants and Trusts.

For more information on our Directors, Senior Management, Board and Trust, see meet the team

Photo © Dion Barrett

Who We Are

Our Purpose, Values and Shared Goals, express why we do what we do and map our transformation over the past year and provide our roadmap for how we will continue to transform from 2025 – 9.

Our Purpose:

We spark creative possibilities and transformation for artists, audiences and communities – to inspire, connect and provoke debate. We are the place to be in this Destination City, where everyone is welcome. Our impact if felt far outside our walls and ripples beyond the experiences we offer – locally, nationally and internationally.

Our Values are:

Inclusive, Sustainable, Connected, Daring, Joyful

Our 6 Shared Goals:

1. Excite and Engage Audiences and Communities

2. Fuel Creative Ambition

3. Invest in Our People and Culture

4. Revitalise our Place

5. Build and Enterprising Business

6. Work in Line with Our Values

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We’re working on becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation, spurred on in part by the publication of Barbican Stories in 2021, but more fundamentally as part of our new chapter as an organisation. We’re clear that we want to be a place where everyone belongs, a place of fairness and equity; and to be an organisation that reflects the diversity of our community. We also recognise that it is necessary for us to do this work well in order for us to achieve the ambitious plans we have for the Barbican as a whole. Updates on our EDI work are published every 6 months on our website

Photo © Jo Underhill

Finances

Revenue

As a not-for profit organisation, we must raise over 60% of our income through ticket sales, commercial activities and fundraising every year. In 25/26 we need to raise £2.5m evenly split between Corporate and Philanthropy. Below are breakdowns of 25/26 Development income and expenditure breakdowns:

Development Income 25/26

Development Expenditure 25/26

Corporate Philanthropy

Salaries

Direct Expenditure

Indirect Expenditure

Capital

The first phase of Barbican Renewal has been costed at £231m of which £191m has been invested by the City of London Corporation. This leaves a target of £50m for fundraising across the next five years, with additional programmatic activity to be factored in.

Organisation Chart

Interim CEO

Director of Development

Head of Corporate Partnerships

Senior Corporate Manager, Membership & Philanthropy

Corporate Partnerships Officer

Corporate Partnerships Manager

Head of Capital Campaigns

Head of Philanthropy

Development Officer, Operations

Development Manager, Operations Patrons Manager

Senior Philanthropy Manager

Senior Trusts & Grants Manager x 2

Writer & Research Officer Philanthropy Officer

Development Assistant

Role Description

Job title: Head of Capital Campaigns

Department: Development Department Barbican

Location: Barbican Centre

Salary: £66,190 - £75,010

Reporting to: Director of Development

Direct Reports: 2 new posts to be created

Purpose of Post

The Head of Capital Campaigns is responsible for ensuring that the capital fundraising team deliver campaign targets for: statutory grants, major gifts, trusts and foundations, corporate, as well as a public-facing individual giving campaign. The Barbican Renewal campaign, as detailed in this pack, is the first phase of an exciting redevelopment for the Barbican.

Reporting to the Director of Development, and working closely with the CEO and Director of Buildings & Renewal, the Head of Capital Campaigns will develop and implement a multi-year strategy that meets the Barbican’s capital campaign targets, nurtures relationships with capital donors, and engages new supporters. The post holder will have their own portfolio of high-value relationships, while working closely with the Director of Development to support the management of other key capital relationships. They will oversee and manage the work of the capital fundraisers, in addition to working closely with the Development Operations function within the wider team to support the administrative and operations framework for the Barbican’s capital fundraising.

Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership Responsibilities

• Develop a capital fundraising strategy that delivers to the agreed financial targets of the capital campaign.

• Ensure that the fundraising strategy is integrated and clearly understood with particular awareness of the links and potential overlaps which exist with revenue fundraising streams, to avoid working in competition with existing initiatives/approaches.

• Recruit, lead and motivate the capital fundraising team, to deliver them supporting and evaluating ongoing performance.

• Take responsibility for capital fundraising budgets and finances, working with Development Operations to devise an efficient monitoring and reporting system for all key stakeholders.

• Be an engaged member of the Barbican’s Senior Management Team, providing input into strategic planning and team leadership for the wider organisation.

• Represent Development across the Barbican, building strong relationships with colleagues particularly in the Barbican Renewal team.

• Devise and oversee the delivery and quality of all capital appeal and major gift events and engagement activities.

Fundraising Responsibilities

• Work with Barbican capital project stakeholders to develop a compelling and persuasive case for support.

• Create strong and consistent donor offers and enticing fundraising propositions, inspired by Capital Campaign plans and activities, in close liaison with the Director for Buildings and Renewal and their team.

• Work with City of London Corporation colleagues to ensure fundraising activity is aligned, working together to identify new contacts and potential funders.

• Manage and drive a personal portfolio of highvalue donors and prospects, developing meaningful relationships and identifying opportunities for donor involvement.

• Work with the Heads of Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships and their teams to cultivate and convert revenue individual and corporate donors to the capital campaign as appropriate.

• Work with the Trusts and Foundations fundraisers to develop high-value proposals and pitch support for the capital campaign. Sign off on all capital trust and foundation applications, ensuring a clear cultivation plan and reporting structure is in place and that submissions are accurate, effective and timely.

• Leverage the expertise of external volunteers and stakeholders including Trustees and Board members to expand the Barbican’s network of supporters and advocates at the highest levels of influence, ensuring that they are confident about promoting the campaign.

• Collaborate with the Barbican’s Communications and Marketing leadership to ensure a unified capital fundraising message is consistently communicated to the public, developing a targeted and effective communications strategy that speaks to various key stakeholder groups.

• Deliver persuasive and informative presentations and ensure high quality content and consistent brand for all capital fundraising materials.

Managerial Responsibilities

• Ensure the accurate and timely tracking of and reporting on all capital income, ensuring that clear agreements are in place between the Barbican and its funders and supporters, that funds are used as per the agreements, and that agreed benefits and acknowledgements are delivered.

• Line-mange Capital Campaign fundraisers including recruitment, induction, personal development, appraisals etc.

• Take a lead responsibility on the Barbican’s ED&I work, advocating and championing this area of work and ensuring team engagement.

• Support the Director of Development in embedding a culture of fundraising and an understanding about the capital campaign across the organisation.

• Fulfil any other requirements as seen fit by the Director of Development and to act as a representative of the Capital Campaign where necessary.

Other Responsibilities

• Respect confidentiality and ensure best practices in fundraising are consistently applied with regard to prospect and donor research and records, income agreements, recognition and stewardship.

• Keep abreast of developments in fundraising and related legislation, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations including the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Practice, HMRC VAT, and the Data Protection Act.

• Represent the Barbican externally at events and engagement opportunities.

• Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy in relation to the duties of the post, and at all times give due regard to the health and safety of both themselves and others when carrying out their duties.

• Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Equal Opportunity Policy and the objective to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post.

• Working with partners across the City of London Corporation, including partner institutions such as the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Staff Benefits

Our people are our greatest asset. Depending on the type of role and contract, we offer a wide range of benefits, including:

• Minimum annual leave entitlement of 24 days plus eight bank holidays (full time equivalent). There are subsequent increases to annual leave entitlement according to how long you’ve worked at the Barbican

• For certain roles we offer flexible and remote working

• Free tickets to many of our events (subject to availability)

• Discounts in our cafés, restaurants, bars and shop

• Training and development opportunities

• We offer the Local Government Pension Scheme - a public sector defined benefit pension scheme (this pension is based on your pay and length of service)

• Access to 24/7 independent and confidential Employee Assistance Programme which includes counselling and mental wellbeing support, financial and legal advice

• Gym membership discounts

• Sickness Absence and Pay

• Interest-free season ticket loan

• Cycle to work scheme

• Two days of volunteering leave per year to support a charity or organisation of your choice through our Employee Volunteering Programme

• Free entry to Hampstead Heath Lido and ponds

• Discounts on purchases through many retailers

Person Specification

Essential Experience and Knowledge:

• Previous experience of devising and successfully delivering fundraising strategies for large-scale capital projects.

• Personal fundraising track record of securing five and six-figure gifts from any fundraising income source, preferably with experience of capital projects.

• Confident in working with Trustees, advocates and senior staff to maximise fundraising success.

• Highly personable and engaging, with the capacity to develop rapport swiftly and build strong and lasting relationships with supporters.

• Excellence writing skills with experience of producing compelling campaign content.

• Confident presenter, able to design and deliver high quality presentations to a range of audiences.

• Financial acumen with experience of managing budgets and analysing performance.

• A track record in identifying and maintaining senior level internal and external relationships.

• Commitment to the highest standards of stakeholder relationship management.

• Ideally, possessing an existing network of contacts who are sympathetic to the arts and/or capital activities.

• Experience of operating at a senior level in a complex organisation in the cultural, education, or third sectors.

• Experience of implementing Gift Aid and other tax effective giving mechanisms.

• IT literate with knowledge of relationship databases and supporter schemes.

• A wide-ranging interest in the arts and an understanding of the sector’s fundraising challenges and opportunities.

• Experienced people manager, capable of leading and developing a small team of experienced fundraisers.

Essential skills and abilities:

• Outstanding presentation, writing, listening, and influencing skills.

• Ability to network effectively and influence opinions internally and externally.

• Highly motivated and motivating, with a confident, authoritative, and approachable manner.

• Articulate and persuasive in written work and conversation.

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Outstanding and proven organisational ability.

• Strategic and goal oriented.

• Open in response to feedback, with the ability to innovate.

• Ability to respond quickly to multiple priorities and perform well under pressure.

• Solutions-focused mind-set and entrepreneurial approach.

• Ability to fundraise within values-driven context live to reputational and ethical considerations relating to brand.

How to Apply

An open and inclusive selection process

To apply for the role you can either upload your CV together with a supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) onto the Prospectus website via the link, or you can apply by post to:

Ryan Burdock

Prospectus (Head Office)

20-22 Stukeley Street Holborn, London WC2B 5LR

Please ensure that you have included a telephone number, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the recruitment timetable.

If you wish to apply using an alternative format please contact Prospectus on 020 7691 1925 or email: ryan.burdock@prospect-us.co.uk

Applications via the Prospectus website should be made at: https://www.prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/191152

At Prospectus we believe passionately that a truly inclusive workplace leads to increased social impact. We are committed to supporting our clients build more inclusive teams. To understand how we are performing, we ask that you kindly complete the brief equal opportunities questionnaire when you submit your application via our website. Please be assured that your responses are kept confidential, separate from your candidate record, are not part of any application you make, and that the consultants never see individual responses to the questionnaire.

Recruitment timetable

Deadline for applications: 31st March 2025

Queries

If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact Ryan Burdock at Prospectus on 020 7691 1925, or email:

ryan.burdock@prospect-us.co.uk

Created by the Prospectus Advertising team.

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