Patrons Lead

Ashby Jenkins Recruitment Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service pension

32 days annual leave

Enhanced family leave

Job summary

The British Council is seeking a Patrons Lead to grow a high-value supporter community and secure funding for international programmes. This hybrid role involves cultivating relationships, stewarding donors, and working with senior stakeholders.

Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, you will identify prospects, deliver engaging donor experiences, and help maximise philanthropic support and income generation targets. Stratford-based, with hybrid flexibility.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a membership, patron or individual giving programme within a charity, arts or cultural environment.
• Proven track record of cultivating high-value donor relationships and securing five-figure gifts.
• Strong donor stewardship and relationship management skills, with the ability to communicate persuasively with a range of audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the growth and stewardship of a prestigious patron programme, developing relationships with philanthropists and high-value supporters across the UK.
• Identify and cultivate new prospects, delivering engaging donor experiences, managing supporter journeys and ensuring exceptional stewardship.

Skills

Membership management

Donor cultivation

Donor stewardship

Communication skills

Job description

Salary: £45,719 - £54,658 (plus £3,300 London weighting if applicable)

Contract: Permanent

Location: Hybrid 2 days/week in Stratford

Closing date: mid day Wednesday 4 November

Benefits: Civil Service pension with up to 28% employer contribution, 32 days annual leave plus bank holidays, enhanced family leave policies

A unique opportunity has arisen for a Patrons Lead to join the British Council, a globally recognised cultural and educational organisation that builds connections, understanding and trust through arts, education and cultural exchange programmes worldwide. Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, you will play a key role in growing a high-value supporter community and helping to secure vital funding for programmes with international impact.

As part of this role, you will lead the growth and stewardship of a prestigious patron programme, developing relationships with philanthropists and high-value supporters across the UK. You will be responsible for identifying and cultivating new prospects, delivering engaging donor experiences, managing supporter journeys and ensuring exceptional stewardship. Working closely with senior stakeholders and programme teams, you will help maximise philanthropic support while contributing to broader income generation plans and ambitious fundraising targets.

To be successful as the Patrons Lead you will need:

• Experience managing a membership, patron or individual giving programme within a charity, arts or cultural environment.
• A successful track record of cultivating high-value donor relationships and securing five-figure gifts.
• Strong donor stewardship and relationship management skills, with the ability to communicate persuasively with a range of audiences.