Development Manager

Development Manager

We are seeking a dynamic individual to lead and deliver an ambitious fundraising strategy aligned to the objectives of the charity.

Hay Festival Foundation Ltd. (HFF) is a nationally and internationally recognised charity. Based in the booktown of Hay-on-Wye, Wales, we bring together diverse voices to listen, talk, debate and create, tackling some of the biggest political, social and environmental challenges of our time.

Hay Festival runs events and projects all over the world, from the historic town of Cartagena in Colombia to the heart of cities in Peru, Mexico, Spain and the USA. The charity reaches a global audience of millions each year and continues to grow and innovate, earning multiple awards over the years, including Festival of Sanctuary status from refugee charity City of Sanctuary UK and, in 2020, Spain's Princess of Asturias Award in Communication and Humanities.

This is an exciting time to join Hay Festival and contribute to an innovative strategy and a world leading arts organisation.

How to Apply

Click on the 'Apply now' button below. Please upload your CV and a cover letter explaining how your experience fits the role. The closing date for applications is Friday 14th November.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role please contact by an email.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Objectives:

• Lead, develop and implement a comprehensive corporate sponsorship and income generation strategy to sustain and grow Hay Festival Foundation's (HFF) programmes in the UK and internationally.
• Build long-term, values-driven partnerships that align with Hay Festival's mission and global reputation for cultural excellence and sustainability.
• Diversify and strengthen income streams through corporate partnerships, individual giving and legacy programme
• Build, cultivate, and manage relationships with potential and existing funders, sponsors, and strategic partners.
• Act as an ambassador for Hay Festival, representing the organisation at public events, conferences, media opportunities, and sector forums.
• Interdisciplinary working across the team to ensure accurate representation and data use for all bids

Sponsorship:

• Research, identify, and cultivate new corporate partners and sponsors whose values align with Hay Festival's mission and brand.
• Develop tailored sponsorship proposals, packages, and activation plans that deliver mutual value and measurable outcomes.
• Negotiate and secure sponsorship agreements, ensuring contractual clarity and alignment with HFF's ethical and sustainability standards.
• Secure significant, multi-year sponsorships to sustain the flagship festival in Wales and drive global support for international editions.
• Identify and convert smaller corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities to support specific HFF activities, programmes, and core overheads.
• Develop and implement an inspiring programme of cultivation events, communications, and engagement opportunities to build sponsor and donor relationships and retention.

Individual Giving:

• Design and deliver the Hay Festival Legacy Programme, creating a structured approach to legacy giving and membership development across all Hay Festivals worldwide.

Strategic Leadership & Relationship Management:

• Lead the development and delivery of the HFF Fundraising Strategy, covering corporate partnerships, major sponsorships, and other key income streams.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of funding policy, trends, and opportunities, benchmarking HFF's fundraising practices against sector best practice.

Operations:

• Manage the development team, undertaking development staff PDR's.
• Ensure sponsors requirements are met at all festival venues at Hay Festival Wales, and maintain excellent working relationships with them through events, reporting and further cultivation meetings.
• Working with colleagues in the financial and communications departments to produce reports, and create fundraising promotional material for print, mailing programme, newsletters, websites and other media

Reporting and Evaluation:

• Write and compile reports to funders and sponsors as required by contractual agreements.
• Providing ongoing reports to the CEO, Director of Finance and Resources and the Board on fundraising income, goals, and initiatives consistent with Hay Festival's short and long-term financial objectives.
• Working across and with the HFF team to deliver the HFF Strategy

Other responsibilities:

• Lead by example, delivering promptly and professionally, upholding the HFF brand and reputation.
• Maintain accurate records and to input Hay Festival management systems, work transparently to support and demonstrate leadership relevant to charitable status
• Create and maintain professional relationships with sponsors, partners and funders and ensure that enquiries are dealt with promptly, accurately, and willingly.
• To promote and comply with current legislation including HFF policies including (and not exclusive) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; GDPR; Health & Safety and Safeguarding, in the delivery of services and the treatment of others.
• Create and maintain professional relationships with other members of staff
• Adhere to HFF Financial Regulations
• Ensure that fundraising follows good practice as laid down by the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and those of the Charity Commission Charity fundraising: a guide to trustee duties - GOV.UK ()
• Observe organisational values, culture and practices, administrative procedures, internal communications, staff training and development.
• Undertake other duties as required

Skills Specification

The Development Director will be a self-motivated target driven individual who has an understanding of the funding landscape across the UK for charities and the cultural sector.

Essential

Fundraising Expertise:

• Proven success in securing significant sponsorships or corporate partnerships, ideally in arts, culture, or not-for-profit sectors.
• Strong understanding of corporate partnerships, brand alignment, and sponsorship activation.
• Knowledge of fundraising compliance, ethics, and due diligence.
• Skilled in research and analysis to identify new markets and partnership opportunities.

Relationship Management & Communication:

• Excellent relationship-building and networking skills with senior corporate leaders, philanthropists, and public stakeholders.
• Clear, persuasive written and verbal communication, including compelling sponsorship proposals.
• Skilled negotiator, securing mutually beneficial, long-term agreements.
• Diplomatic, discreet, and culturally sensitive in high-profile engagements.

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Strong leadership and team-working skills; able to inspire and collaborate across departments.
• Experienced in cross-functional collaboration to ensure joined-up delivery of sponsorship benefits.
• Able to manage multiple projects under pressure while maintaining quality and professionalism.

Personal Attributes:

• Entrepreneurial, proactive, and results-oriented, with a creative approach to partnership development.
• Passionate about the arts, culture, and ideas, aligned with Hay Festival's mission and values.
• High integrity, professionalism, and resilience in a fast-paced environment.
• Willing to travel and represent Hay Festival in the UK and internationally.

Desirable:

• Understanding of tax-efficient giving.
• Welsh speaker.

Location

Hay Festival office, Hay on Wye or Hay Festival office, London or remote working, are all options. If not located in Hay on Wye the post holder will be expected to regularly travel to Hay for meetings. The post holder will be required to be on location in Hay on Wye during festival periods.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.

Disabled applicants are invited to contact us in confidence at any point during the recruitment process to discuss steps that could be taken to overcome operational difficulties presented by the job, or if any adjustments or support are required regarding the recruitment process.