Director of Development

Black Lives In Music; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal College of Music is seeking a Director of Development to lead fundraising and engagement, shaping income growth and external partnerships on a global scale.

You will join the senior leadership team to deliver a strategic plan, expand scholarships, invest in estate projects, and advance access to world-class music education.

Qualifications

• Track record of philanthropic fundraising with high-net-worth individuals.
• Experience devising and leading campaigns.
• Inspirational, inclusive leadership and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead Development Team and define income generation strategy.
• Broaden international supporter base and donor network.
• Oversee scholarships and estate development to support access and excellence.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor stewardship

Campaign leadership

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Job description

An exceptional opportunity to lead Development at the Royal College of Music and play a critical role in enabling the College to shape and fulfil its future ambitions.

In 2025, the Royal College of Music was ranked the Global No. 1 institution for Performing Arts and Music for the fourth year running in the QS World University Rankings.

Music transcends borders, cultures, and generations. It fosters understanding, social cohesion, and well-being – and the Royal College of Music believes that music has the power to transform lives.

The Royal College of Music is looking for an outstanding leader to be their new Director of Development. You will bring a track record of success in philanthropic fundraising, particularly with high-net-worth individuals, and experience of devising and leading campaigns. The successful candidate will also share the RCM’s passion for the transformative power of music and education.

As the RCM prepares to celebrate their 150th anniversary in 2032, they are creating a new Strategic Plan which will draw on their heritage whilst simultaneously setting out an ambitious vision for the RCM’s future to ensure they remain at the forefront of innovation, creativity and widening access to a world-class music education.

Since its foundation in 1882, the RCM’s doors have been ‘thrown open to the whole world’. The College has a strong community of supporters including individual philanthropists, corporate supporters, trusts and foundations and legators. Their ambition is to continue to broaden the supporter base internationally, to increase substantially support for student scholarships, to enhance further the estate in South Kensington and to invest in performance and research programme, to ensure that the RCM remains at the vanguard of music education, creativity and performance.

To be successful in this role, you will have demonstrated your abilities as an inspirational, inclusive and collaborative leader with experience of leading and motivating teams and colleagues. Your sophisticated communication and influencing skills, combined with an enterprising spirit, will inspire those around you and build long-lasting and beneficial relationships for the College.

You will join the Royal College of Music’s senior leadership team at a pivotal moment. This could be your opportunity to lead the RCM’s Development Team in defining and delivering a step-change in income generation to shape the future of this internationally recognised institution.

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