Major Gifts Manager

Royal College of Art; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal College of Art seeks a Major Gifts Manager to enhance fundraising efforts. This role involves managing donor relationships, creating proposals, and supporting capital projects. Ideal candidates will have a strong fundraising background and a passion for art and higher education.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in securing philanthropic gifts.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 50–70 donors and prospects.
• Create strategic donor plans and proposals.
• Cultivate and steward major gift donors.

Skills

Relationship Building

Fundraising

Communication

Organizational Skills

CRM Systems

Job description

Kensington & Battersea, London, United Kingdom

Major Gifts Manager
Department: Advancement & Alumni

Are you an ambitious and motivated fundraiser with a passion for higher education, art, and design? The Royal College of Art (RCA) is seeking an experienced Major Gifts Manager to join our high-performing Advancement & Alumni team. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the world’s number one postgraduate university for art and design.

About the Role
As Major Gifts Manager, you’ll manage a portfolio of 50–70 donors and prospects who contribute 5 to 7-figure philanthropic gifts to support the RCA’s mission. Working alongside a fellow Major Gifts Manager and reporting to the Deputy Director of Advancement & Alumni, you will help secure vital support for capital projects, scholarships, and academic programmes.

You’ll collaborate closely with senior leadership and academic colleagues to develop compelling funding proposals, steward existing donors, and identify new prospects in the UK and internationally. You'll also contribute to the ongoing success of our GenerationRCA campaign while working to secure sustainable, long-term philanthropic income for the College.

Why Join Us?
At the RCA, we are proud to be a small, specialist institution with a big impact. With a community of just over 400 staff FTE and 26,000+ alumni, our size fosters genuine collegiality and creativity. You’ll be part of a close-knit team of 12 Advancement & Alumni professionals who work collaboratively and supportively toward shared goals. Here, every team member is empowered to take initiative, try new ideas, and make a tangible difference.

What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a dynamic individual who brings:

Proven experience of building strong relationships with donors and securing philanthropic gifts to meet targets.

Entrepreneurial flair, initiative, and a desire to make an impact.

Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities with attention to detail.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to work across all levels of an organisation.

Experience using CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge or similar.

An interest in art, design, and/or the higher education sector is desirable.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects.

Creating strategic donor plans and compelling proposals in partnership with internal stakeholders.

Supporting cross-functional collaboration to ensure a high-quality, donor-centred experience.

Recording and managing donor data and communications using appropriate systems.

Advising senior staff on approaches and engagement strategies for key donors.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone with a strong track record in fundraising who thrives in a creative, mission-driven environment. You’ll be part of a team that values openness, agility, and the power of philanthropy to transform lives.

How to Apply
If you’re ready to take the next step in your development career and help shape the future of a world-renowned institution, we would love to hear from you.

For more information on the role please see the Info Pack.

The Royal College of Art (RCA) aims to foster an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students and stakeholders are respected.

We recognise the broad range of experiences that a diverse staff and student body brings and how this strengthens our research and enhances our teaching. In order for RCA to remain a world-leading institution we are committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles throughout all of our processes, from application through to appointment.

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Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2EU

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