Head of Development – Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) has been a leading music college, acting school and concert venue since its establishment in 1886. With over 1,000 students, and a further 220 young people in the Junior Conservatoire, RBC is a centre of excellence within Birmingham City University. To build on this rich history and secure the future of the Conservatoire, we are seeking a Head of Development to lead on generating and maximising philanthropic income to ensure ongoing and sustainable success for years to come.

This is a new role that will build on a recently completed £10 million appeal for Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, with the successful candidate leading on the delivery of the exciting next phase of that campaign. The role would suit an experienced fundraiser, capable of creating impactful opportunities and building meaningful relationships within and beyond the University.

Reporting to the University’s Director of Development and working closely with the Conservatoire’s new Principal, the Head of Development will play a key role in transforming the lives of aspiring young actors and musicians by raising funds for scholarships and bursaries, outreach activities, buildings and equipment, teaching posts, and endowments.

The post-holder will assume day-to-day responsibility for all development activity within the Conservatoire, including line-management of an existing Development Officer, and the development of an established and maturing fundraising operation. They will be a senior member of the University Development Office, deputising for the Director of Development if required.

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s £57 million music building is located on Birmingham City University’s City Centre Campus. Why not look for more information at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire | Birmingham City University (bcu.ac.uk)

What’s in it for you?

In return for your dedication and hard work, you will benefit from ongoing opportunities for personal and professional development, as well as the following key benefits:

• Hybrid working, with the opportunity to work remotely two to three days per week.
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 40 days (including bank holidays and closure periods)
• An attractive direct contribution pension scheme, or the option to retain LGPS for existing and previous members.
• Wellbeing advice and support through our Employee Assistance Programme
• Car Parking
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Staff Benefits: Non-Pay Benefits: Birmingham City University (bcu.ac.uk)
• A supportive and collaborative culture and work environment, rooted in BCU’s values

To be successful in this newly created role, you will:

• be educated to degree level (or equivalent) and ideally hold a relevant professional qualification such as membership of the Institute of Fundraising.
• be a driven and pro-active major gift fundraiser, with an impressive, sustained track record of personally securing high 5-, 6- and possibly even 7-figure gifts.
• be a strategic and creative thinker, an engaging and inspiring communicator, and a supportive and collaborative team player.
• have a genuine passion for education and the Arts, as well as for improving the prospects of people from under-represented or disadvantaged backgrounds.