The Arts Business Development Manager will play a leading role in shaping and delivering the growth strategy for Fflamingo CIC and House of Deviant. Working closely with our Creative Director, producers, artists and collaborators, you will lead on income generation, develop sustainable business models, and expand our reach and partnerships across the UK and beyond.
This is a hybrid role, blending strategic planning with hands-on delivery. We are looking for a creative thinker and relationship builder – someone who can spot opportunities, write compelling proposals, and work collaboratively with others to build a more inclusive cultural sector.
Core Reaponsibilities:
1. Strategic Development & Planning
- Lead the development and delivery of a business development plan aligned with our values and ambitions.
- Identify new opportunities for organisational growth, including earned income streams, consultancy, franchising and licensing models.
- Research trends and innovation across the creative, social enterprise and inclusive arts sectors.
- Work with the Director and Board to model and monitor business risks, income targets and impact outcomes.
2. Income Generation
- Write and manage funding applications to arts councils, trusts, foundations and public bodies.
- Identify and secure ethical sponsorships and commercial partnerships.
- Build earned income through bookings, commissions, workshops, consultancy and retail (e.g. merchandise, training toolkits).
- Monitor, report and evaluate income performance using simple, accessible systems.
3. Relationship & Partnership Management
- Cultivate meaningful relationships with venues, funders, producers, social care providers, commissioners, and networks.
- Represent Fflamingo CIC and House of Deviant at events, funder meetings, showcases and sector gatherings.
- Develop engagement strategies for public and private sector audiences, including Local Authorities, NHS Trusts, universities, and charities.
- Lead negotiations and agreements for business and programme partnerships.
4. Marketing, PR & Communications (in partnership with our social media manager)
- Shape and support targeted campaigns to raise visibility with commissioners, funders and decision-makers.
- Develop pitch decks, case studies, press packs and business-facing brand materials.
- Contribute to website content, social media, newsletters and visual assets that reflect our unique voice and identity.
- Use analytics and insights to evaluate reach and engagement across business development comms.
- Management responsibility for our freelance social media manager, working with them to strategise and plan marketing activities and concepts
- Liaise with venue marketing departments to help form strategies for marketing productions
5. Internal Development & Organisational Support
- Help improve systems and workflows related to sales, pitching, evaluation, and reporting.
- Work collaboratively with our creative and operational teams to ensure all business activity is ethical, accessible and aligned with our values.
- Provide mentoring or training (where appropriate) to support student placements, emerging producers and artists in business thinking.
- Contribute to staff meetings, planning sessions and board reporting.
Person Specification: Arts Business Development Manager
We’re looking for someone who combines strategic thinking, creativity, and a passion for social justice. This person will thrive in a collaborative, inclusive environment and bring experience in income generation, relationship-building, and business development in a values-driven arts or social enterprise setting.
Essential Criteria
1. Experience & Track Record
- Business Development: Minimum 3 years’ experience in a relevant business development, fundraising, or partnerships role within the arts, culture, charity or social enterprise sectors.
- Income Generation: Demonstrated success in securing funding from public bodies (e.g. Arts Council, National Lottery), trusts and foundations, or commercial sponsors.
- Client/Stakeholder Management: Proven experience in managing external partnerships, sponsorship relationships, or service contracts to successful outcomes.
2. Knowledge & Skills
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement medium to long-term business strategies that align with organisational goals.
- Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting and income tracking, including use of tools like Excel or cloud accounting platforms.
- Communications: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write persuasive proposals, reports, and pitch materials.
- Marketing Literacy: Understanding of audience development and brand awareness strategies, particularly for values-led creative organisations.
- Digital Tools: Confident using digital platforms such as CRMs, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and social media for business purposes.
3. Values & Behaviours
- Equity-Focused: Commitment to accessibility, anti-ableism and inclusive practice in all aspects of work.
- Collaborative Spirit: Enjoys working in cross-functional teams, values co-creation, and listens well to community and creative voices.
- Self-Directed: Highly organised and able to manage their own time, projects and targets with limited supervision.
- Resilient & Adaptive: Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving organisation and finding creative solutions under pressure.
- Mission-Driven: Genuinely passionate about using the arts for positive social change.
Desirable Criteria
- Knowledge of Funding in Wales: Familiarity with Welsh funders, cultural infrastructure, and commissioning bodies.
- Inclusive Arts Experience: Experience working with learning-disabled or neurodivergent artists and communities.
- LGBTQIA+ Awareness: Knowledge or lived experience of queer communities and cultural practices, especially drag and cabaret.
- Accessible Communications: Experience in creating or commissioning accessible content (Easy Read, plain language, subtitled video, etc.).
- Welsh Language Skills: Ability to work bilingually in Welsh and English is a plus, but not required.
Lived Experience
We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence, racism, transphobia, economic injustice or other forms of structural marginalisation. We believe that diverse perspectives make us stronger and enrich our work.
What We Offer
- A flexible, inclusive and supportive working environment.
- Opportunities for training, development and career growth.
- Hybrid working options.
- A chance to help shape the future of one of Wales’ most distinctive creative voices.
Recruitment timeline:
Open Evening (optional): Come and meet us and the Queens from House of Deviant on Tuesday 13th May at WMC Cabaret bar in Cardiff Bay from 6.30 - 8pm. You will have a chance to see what we do and ask any questions you may have about the role. If you are planning on attending please email iheartfflamingo@gmail.com to confirm (please note the 2 ffs!)
Application deadline: Friday 30th May
Shortlisting: W/C Monday 2nd June 2025
Informal Interviews: W/C Monday 16th June 2025
How to Apply
To apply, please submit:
- Your CV
- A cover letter or video (no longe that 2 sides of A4) /audio statement (no longer than 5 minutes), telling us:
- Why this role excites you
- What experience you bring
- What you’d like to achieve with us
Please send your application to: iheartfflamingo@gmail.com (please note the double f!)
Deadline: Friday 30th May 2025
If you need any access support or adjustments during the application process, or would prefer to apply in a different format, please contact us at iheartfflamingo@gmail.com