Senior Philanthropy Manager

Royal Academy Of Dance; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent arts organization in Westminster is seeking an experienced Fundraising Professional to enhance philanthropic giving through strong donor relationships. The role involves developing fundraising strategies and mentoring team members. Candidates should have a proven track record in major gift securing and excellent communication skills. Join us in making a significant impact on the cultural landscape. Apply by 5th January 2026 for this full-time position offering £45,000 - £50,000 per annum.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of securing major gifts.
• Experience in developing fundraising strategies and prospecting plans.
• Strong understanding of fundraising compliance and donor stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a portfolio of significant donor relationships.
• Contribute to fundraising strategy development.
• Mentor and develop junior team members.

Skills

Major gift securing

High-value donor relationship management

Fundraising strategy development

People management

Interpersonal communication

Relationship building

Networking and influencing

Job description

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum, based on skills and experience
Permanent contract
Full time: 40 hours per week with flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends as required

The Royal Ballet and Opera continues to lead the way in opera, ballet, music and dance both live on stage and through multiple digital platforms, from live streaming to worldwide cinema screenings. Our Covent Garden theatre has been at the heart of London and British cultural life for three centuries. We are home to two world-class Companies: The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.

The Royal Opera House describes the place we work, not who we are. The whole is always more than the sum of its parts – we may be a House, but three quarters of our audiences experience what we do outside this building. While our Covent Garden theatre is the nerve centre, the impact and influence of the organisation can be felt in every corner of the country, and around the world.

The Development and Advocacy Department are looking to appoint an experienced fundraising professional who will work closely with the senior team on strategy development, generating opportunities to increase philanthropic giving by attracting new and lasting relationships and high value donors. Individually, you will make a substantial contribution to the current targets by managing and developing a portfolio of significant relationships, working to department best practice.

The ideal candidate for this post will be a team player with excellent communication and relationship management skills. You will play an active role in mentoring and developing junior members of the team and show your potential as a future leader. You will be able to demonstrate:

• A proven track record of securing major gifts and managing high-value donor relationships.
• Experience in developing and implementing fundraising strategies, prospecting plans, proposal writing and project management.
• Strong people management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage credibly at senior levels.
• Strong understanding of fundraising compliance, tax-efficient giving, and donor stewardship best practices.
• Credibility and gravitas to engage confidently with senior stakeholders and donors.
• Strong relationship‑building, networking, and influencing skills.

A background in the arts is not essential, though an interest in/the aptitude to upskill quickly in our art forms will be highly regarded. A firm understanding of the UK Philanthropic community and landscape is critical.

The Royal Ballet and Opera is one of the UK’s leading arts organisations and our aim is to inspire imagination, ignite emotion and make the extraordinary for everyone. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion underpin all that we do. We want our people to be representative of the diversity in the UK. We understand the creativity and innovation that diversity can bring and strive to create an inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive.

We encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and skills to join our teams. We particularly welcome applications from those who are from a global majority background and/or those who are disabled, as they are under-represented within our organisation.

We are a Disability Confident Employer, which means that we are actively working to ensure that candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions feel supported, engaged and able to fulfil their potential in the workplace. We will endeavour to offer an interview to candidates who tell us they wish to participate in the scheme and who demonstrate in their application that they meet the essential criteria for the role, though sometimes due to the volume of qualified candidates with declarations this is not possible.

The RBO is also committed to safeguarding and protecting all children, young people, and adults and we implement robust safer recruitment practices. Due to our safeguarding promise, certain roles will be subject to a DBS check before commencing employment with us, which will be indicated in the advertising.

Click here for more information and to apply

Closing date for applications: Midnight, 5th January 2026.

Interviews will be held across 2 stages - the first online via MS Teams and the second in person at the ROH Covent Garden.

Applicants must have work authorisation for the UK. No agencies.