Development Officer (Events and Membership)

Association Of British Orchestras

About the Organisation

Association of British Orchestras was founded in 1948 as the Orchestral Employers' Association, primarily to negotiate with the Musicians' Union and other bodies on behalf of its membership, which consisted almost entirely at that time of those orchestras receiving annual funding from the newly established Arts Council of Great Britain. It changed its name to the Association of British Orchestras in 1973.

The past decades have seen substantial development in the organisation in terms of its size and its role, which has expanded to include a diverse range of activities designed to support the development of the UK's orchestral life. The ABO now has an extensive programme of events from its Annual Conference to Specialist Managers Meetings, Courses and Seminars.

It has developed a role as co-ordinator of various national projects, including major initiatives involving the participation of a large number of member orchestras. As a champion of the education and community work of the UK's orchestras, one of the ABO's key objectives has been the support and development of this core area of work.

The ABO has also mounted a number of campaigning and research initiatives, with a series of important industry reports being produced, including regular statistical surveys of the UK's orchestras. The ABO celebrated its 70th anniversary in March 2018.

About the role

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is looking for a Development Officer (Events & Membership) to join the team. The successful candidate will support with raising funds for the OAE’s concerts, tours, education programs, and its partnership with Acland Burghley School, where the OAE is resident.

The OAE has a loyal and generous family of individual supporters. This new role will support the Head of Individual Giving and the Development Director to support our friends and patrons.

Responsibilities

Administration:

• Keep up-to-date records on our Tessitura database, including Friends, Patrons, Trusts & Foundations, Corporate Partners
• Work with colleagues to ensure the timely payment and processing of donations, ticket income, invoices and processing of Gift Aid reports
• Ensure the Development Department budgets are kept up to date at all times
• Assist and deputise for the Ticketing and Data Manager to ensure the smooth running of the Box Office
• Assist with prospect cultivation and due diligence
• Attend occasional meetings held by Tessitura and the Southbank Centre Tessitura consortium to support the maintenance of our CRM

Events:

• Devise and deliver bespoke live and virtual events for current and prospective OAE supporters
• Research and provide logistical support for Patron & Friend trips
• Attend OAE events to steward and cultivate relationships with current and potential donors

Communications:

• Work with the Marketing Department to ensure that supporters are correctly credited within the Orchestra’s programmes (print & digital) and other publicity material throughout the year
• Work with the Marketing Department to ensure quality and consistency across all Development publications, including proofreading
• Assist in the annual supporters’ magazine, ‘Enlightenment’

OAE Friends:

• Assist in the delivery of the Friends recruitment strategy, as well as upgrading existing Friends through our membership structure, and creating recruitment and retention literature
• Manage any enquiries, renewals and donations from Friends
• Set up direct debits with the support of the Finance Officer
• Oversee the delivery of Friends’ events throughout the year, including open rehearsals
• Set up and manage the Friends’ area at Southbank Centre events
• Maintain the ‘Support Us’ area of the OAE website

Team Assistance:

• Assist in the writing of applications, processing, and reporting for grants from Trusts and Foundations
• Assist with account management for the OAE’s existing corporate supporters, including securing renewals and delivery of benefits
• Assist in the creation of a comprehensive Toolkit of marketing materials to illustrate the breadth of the OAE’s work and clearly convey the opportunities available for organisations to support the Orchestra 

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential:

• Strong writing skills and attention to detail
• Experience of working in a fundraising environment
• Excellent IT skills, including experience in using fundraising databases
• Strong people skills
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver to tight deadlines
• Some knowledge of the arts sector and an interest in classical music

Desirable:

• Experience of working in the performing arts
• Experience of working in a small team
• Experience of using Tessitura
• Experience of using design tools (InDesign, Canva, and Photoshop)

Compensation & Benefits

• Holidays: 20 days per year plus all statutory holidays.
• Pension: The OAE operates a workplace pension scheme.
• Probationary period: Probationary period of three months. Notice during the probationary period of one month and two months’ notice thereafter.
• Office hours: 9.30 am - 5.30 pm at the OAE offices, Acland Burghley School, 93 Burghley Road, London NW5 1UH.
• Flexible working: The OAE operates a flexible working policy. The OAE also operates a Time Off in Lieu policy.
• Benefits: Complimentary OAE concert tickets; cycle to work scheme; free winter flu jab vouchers and eye test vouchers; lunch, tea & coffee provided in the OAE office; additional annual leave over the Christmas period. 

Conditions of employment

• All applicants should be eligible to work in the UK.
• Candidates must be over 18 years of age.

Working locations

• Tufnell Park, London, United Kingdom

How to apply

• Please apply by completing the Application form and sending it along with your cover letter to Edward Shaw, Chief Operating Officer, at [email protected]. The Application deadline is 9:00 on Friday, 20th March 2026. Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.

Interviews

• Interviews will be held the week commencing 23rd March 2026 at the OAE’s Office in Tufnell Park, London.

Policies

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. However, as Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) and disabled people are currently under-represented within the OAE, we would particularly welcome applications from BAME and disabled applicants. All appointments are made on merit.

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