Job Vacancy: Development Coordinator

Role Overview 

We are looking for a highly organised and enthusiastic Development Coordinator to support the work of the Development Director across all areas of fundraising and income generation, including sponsorship, donors and members, and trusts and foundations. 

 

This is a support role, ideal for someone with excellent organisational skills and an interest in fundraising, heritage, and events. The Development Coordinator will provide day-to-day administrative and research support, helping to ensure that sponsors, donors, members, and funders receive the best possible experience of engaging with the Chalke History Festival and Trust.

  • Location: Hybrid – remote with one day per week in office (Broad Chalke, nr. Salisbury)
  • Reports to: Development Director
  • Hours: Part-time (3 days a week)
  • Salary: £15,000 
  • Pension: Chalke History Festival has a pensions scheme managed by Nest.

About us 

The Chalke History Festival is a week-long celebration of history, ideas and culture that is unique in Britain. It features talks, performances, music, living history, and storytelling. It is the largest festival in the UK (and perhaps the world) devoted entirely to history, attracting a local, regional, national, and international audience. 

 

The festival is owned and run by a charitable trust, which exists to promote understanding and inspiration of the past to the widest possible audience, especially children through the Schools Festival, which runs at the start of festival week. 

Key Responsibilities

Sponsorship

  • Support the Development Director in researching and approaching potential sponsors.
  • Help draft and prepare sponsorship proposals, presentations, and contracts.
  • Assist with communications to existing sponsors, including festival logistics, updates, and reports.
  • Track sponsorship commitments, invoicing, and payments under guidance from the Development Director.
  • Provide administrative and on-the-ground support for sponsor activities during festival week.

Patrons, Members and Donors

  • Keep content up to date in the Membership Hub. 
  • Maintain accurate records of donors, members and patrons in the CRM system.
  • Draft emails, thank-you letters, renewal reminders, and supporter updates.
  • Support campaigns, including preparing communications, coordinating benefits, and assisting with events.
  • Provide on-site support for donor, member and patron activities during the Festival.

Trusts and Foundations (Grants and Bids)

  • Research suitable grant-making trusts, foundations, and funders.
  • Assist in drafting and proofreading funding applications and reports.
  • Help maintain a calendar of application deadlines and reporting requirements.
  • Support monitoring of outcomes and gathering of information for funder reports.

General Development Support

  • Provide administrative support to the Development Director, including scheduling, note-taking, and preparing documents.
  • Help collate materials for board papers, reports, and presentations.
  • Maintain up-to-date financial and contact records across income streams.
  • Contribute ideas for supporter engagement and fundraising campaigns.
  • Provide all-round assistance during Festival week, ensuring supporters are well hosted and looked after.

Essential Skills & Experience

  • Strong organisational skills, with attention to detail.
  • Good written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to build positive working relationships with a wide range of people.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or equivalent software.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
  • Enthusiasm for history, heritage, culture, and events.

DesirableSkills & Experience

  • Experience in fundraising, sponsorship, or administration (paid or voluntary).
  • Familiarity with CRM or database systems e.g. Beacon CRM.
  • Familiarity with email marketing platforms e.g. Mailchimp.
  • Interest in cultural events, heritage, or charity fundraising.
  • Creative ideas for supporter engagement.

Learning & Career Development

This role is designed to support professional growth and development. The successful candidate will benefit from:

  • Mentorship from the Development Director, gaining insight into all areas of fundraising and income generation.
  • On-the-job training in sponsorship, donor stewardship, membership, and grant fundraising.
  • Opportunities to develop skills in proposal writing, communications, and supporter relationship management.
  • Networking opportunities with sponsors, donors, and cultural sector professionals.
  • Career progression potential, with experience gained in a nationally significant cultural festival.

What We Offer

  • Holiday: 17 days per year (including bank holidays).
  • Hours & Location: Flexible depending on time of year, equivalent to 3 days per week and 7 days during the Festival week in June. Work from home, with occasional attendance at the Chalke History Festival Office in Broad Chalke for meetings and throughout the Festival week.
  • Pension: Chalke History Festival provides a pension scheme managed by Nest.

To Apply: Please send your CV and a covering letter of no more than two sides of A4 to recruitment@chalkefestival.com

Deadline for applications is Sunday 9th November 2025