Director of Development

CASE; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal College of Music in London seeks a dynamic Director of Development to lead philanthropic fundraising, with a proven track record with high-net-worth individuals and experience devising and leading campaigns.

Joining the senior leadership, you will define and deliver a step-change in income generation, broaden our international supporter base, expand student scholarships, and contribute to the College's 150th anniversary and strategic vision for world-class music education.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in philanthropic fundraising, including major gifts and high-net-worth donors.
• Experience in devising and leading campaigns to increase income and donor engagement.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills with a collaborative leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership of the Development team to set and achieve income targets.
• Lead and motivate teams, create long-term fundraising strategies, and build lasting donor relationships.
• Support the College's strategic plan, including expansion of scholarships, estates, and international fundraising initiatives.

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, London, 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 at the Royal College of Music we believe that it has the power to transform lives.

We are looking for an outstanding leader as our new Director of Development at the RCM. 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 our passion for the transformative power of music and education.

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

Since our foundation in 1882, our doors have been ‘thrown open to the whole world’. We have a strong community of supporters including individual philanthropists, corporate supporters, trusts and foundations and legators. Our ambition is to continue to broaden our supporter base internationally, to increase substantially support for student scholarships, to enhance further our estate in South Kensington and to invest in our 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 College’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 our internationally recognised institution.