Trustee

Trustee (Fundraising and Philanthropy)

Help shape the future of Jacksons Lane and support creativity, community and the arts.

Job title: Trustee (Fundraising and Philanthropy)

Location: Highgate, North London

Hours: Voluntary role – Board meetings four times a year, with additional opportunities to contribute

Salary: Voluntary – reasonable expenses reimbursed

Contract: Three-year term, renewable up to a maximum of three terms

About Jacksons Lane

Jacksons Lane is a much-loved arts and community hub in North London and the UK's home of contemporary circus. For over 50 years, our Grade II listed former church in Highgate has been a place where people of all ages discover the arts, communities come together and artists create adventurous work.

Today, we are recognised nationally and internationally for our contemporary circus programme, presenting exceptional companies from the UK and around the world while supporting artists to develop new work and build their careers.

We're much more than a theatre. Our creative engagement programmes bring people together through creativity, physical activity and shared experiences. From our Youth Circus and Jacksons Juniors programmes to activities supporting the wellbeing of older adults, we believe the arts have something to offer everyone.

Each year, we present 174 performances, deliver over 300 free and low-cost community activities, support more than 150 artists and welcome 60,000 visitors to our building.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Trustee to help us develop a stronger and more imaginative approach to fundraising and philanthropy.

As an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, with regular funding from Haringey Council, Jacksons Lane has an established base of public support alongside earned income and charitable giving. We now want to develop new sources of income and build stronger relationships with individuals, businesses, trusts, foundations and other supporters.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape our fundraising priorities, expand our networks and strengthen the organisation's long-term financial resilience.

You'll bring your experience, strategic thinking and connections to help us reach new supporters and develop partnerships that will enable us to continue delivering exceptional artistic experiences and meaningful community work.

About You

We're interested in someone who can bring:

• Significant experience in fundraising, philanthropy or income development, whether through professional work or governance.
• An understanding of how to build and sustain relationships with donors, corporate partners, trusts, foundations or other supporters.
• Strategic thinking, imagination and an appreciation of what makes a compelling case for support.
• The confidence to advocate for Jacksons Lane and help us reach new people and organisations.
• An interest in community arts, contemporary circus and the difference creativity can make to people's lives.
• A collaborative approach and a commitment to our values.

Experience in the arts or charity sector would be welcome, but we're equally interested in relevant experience from other fields.

What You'll Contribute

Working alongside the Board and Executive Team, you'll help shape fundraising priorities, explore new approaches and develop the relationships and partnerships that will support Jacksons Lane's ambitions.

Some of the ideas we'd like to explore include:

• Fundraising Gala: Developing a spectacular evening of circus and celebration, bringing together our communities, artists and supporters.
• Supporters Scheme: Encouraging audiences, local residents and friends of Jacksons Lane to become more involved through regular giving and special events.
• Circle of Patrons: Building deeper relationships with individuals who share our belief in the value of community and professional arts.
• Fundraising Network: Bringing together Trustees and others with experience, enthusiasm and connections to open doors and support new fundraising initiatives.

These are starting points rather than a fixed plan. We're looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas, challenge existing thinking and help us identify what will make the greatest difference.

This is a strategic governance role, not an expectation that you become an unpaid member of the fundraising team.

The Role of Our Trustees

Our Board works alongside the Executive Team to provide strategic leadership, financial oversight and good governance.

As a Trustee, you'll share collective responsibility for the organisation's governance, financial health and long-term sustainability. You'll also act as an advocate and ambassador for Jacksons Lane, helping build relationships, champion our work and remain connected to the communities we serve.

The Board meets four times a year, with opportunities to contribute to committees and working groups, including finance, artistic development and fundraising. We also encourage Trustees to attend performances, events and activities and get to know the artists, staff, participants and communities who make Jacksons Lane what it is.

Trustees serve a three-year term, renewable up to a maximum of three terms.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Jacksons Lane is committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board that brings together different skills, experiences and perspectives.

We particularly welcome applications from people under-represented in arts and charity governance, including people from ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people and people from lower-income backgrounds.

We value lived experience alongside professional expertise and welcome applications from people who haven't previously served as a Trustee.

How to Apply

If you'd like to help shape the future of Jacksons Lane, we'd be very pleased to hear from you.

Please send a short expression of interest (one to two pages) outlining your experience, your interest in Jacksons Lane and what you feel you could bring to the Board, together with a CV or LinkedIn profile and any access requirements.

Please send your application to:

Hannah Cox and Angus MacKechnie
Joint CEOs, Jacksons Lane
Email:hannah@jacksonslane.org.uk

Closing date: 22 December 2026

Informal conversations will be held with shortlisted candidates in early January, with potential new Trustees invited to observe a Board meeting in February as part of the appointment process.

We're also happy to arrange an informal conversation before you apply and can discuss access requirements or alternative application formats.

We look forward to hearing from you!