JOIN OUR TEAMWORK AT THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOLABOUT USWe are a global organisation with an important mission: to nurture, train andeducate exceptional classical ballet dancers and to set the standard for dancetraining worldwide.As a boarding school, a performing arts organisation and a charity, our team isvaried. Our staff have specialist skills in dance, academics, pastoral care,healthcare, outreach, marketing, fundraising, and operations - to name a few. We look for committed, enthusiastic candidates who demonstrate the skillsand experience we need.People are the key to our success - we attract, retain, develop and motivatethe best in their fields to share our commitment to providing excellent careand education for our aspiring dancers and dance teachers.OUR VALUESSTRIVING FOREXCELLENCENURTURINGINDIVIDUALSACTIVELYWIDENINGACCESSOUR HERITAGENOURISHESOUR FUTUREALWAYSINNOVATINGOur full-time students are based at White Lodge inRichmond Park and Upper School in Covent Garden. There are two additional boarding houses forUpper School students in Pimlico and CoventGarden.The Royal Ballet School operates in locationsworldwide, including different Associate centresand venues for Intensive Courses.Across our sites, there are a total of 280 employees. Wherever they work, ourteam respect each other, knowing everyone has a unique part to play in ourorganisation’s mission. Our workspaces are friendly, welcoming and inclusive.Our employees share a passion for the arts in society and for supportingindividuals to reach their full potential. WHAT’S INIT FOR YOU?GENEROUSPENSIONSCHEMESEASONTICKETLOANCYCLE TOWORKSCHEMEEMPLOYEEASSISTANCEPROGRAMMELEARNING AND DEVELOPMENTOPPORTUNITIESDISCOUNTSOFF A VARIETYOF BRANDSTECH ANDELECTRICVEHICLE SCHEMEGENEROUSANNUALLEAVEDEVELOPMENTMANAGERSALARY:                                      £45,000 per annumANNUAL LEAVE:30 days per annumThis strategic and outward-facing role will be instrumental in expanding theSchool’s network of supporters and maximising philanthropic income as wecelebrate our Centenary in 2026. The postholder will take a leading role inidentifying, cultivating, and securing new major donor relationships - buildinga strong and sustainable pipeline of prospects capable of makingtransformational gifts to support the School’s vision and long-term prioritiesas it seeks to uphold its global standing as a centre of performance excellencein classical dance from London base.   This position offers an exceptional opportunity for an experienceddevelopment professional to play a pivotal part in shaping the School’s nextchapter. Working closely with senior leadership, the postholder will design anddeliver innovative engagement strategies to attract new supporters, deepenrelationships with key prospects, and communicate the School’s impact andambitions with clarity and passion. The role requires a proactive and strategicrelationship-builder with the confidence to engage high-level individuals andthe insight to convert interest into enduring philanthropic partnerships insupport of the future of the performing arts at the highest level.  APPLICATION DETAILSLOCATION:                                      Upper School,Covent GardenHOURS:35 hours per week, Monday - FridayOVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLESTART DATE:                                      March/April 2026APPLICATION CLOSING DATE:                                    18 January 2026The Development Manager will play a key role in expanding the School’sphilanthropic network and securing transformational support as we celebrateour Centenary. The postholder will be responsible for identifying, cultivating,and engaging new major donor prospects, building lasting relationships thatcontribute to the School’s long-term growth and legacy. Working closely withsenior leadership and the Development Team (c.12 people), this rolecombines strategic planning, relationship management, and innovativeengagement to attract high-value supporters and ensure the continuedexcellence and impact of the School across its diverse programmes.  SUMMARY OF THE ROLEMAIN DUTIESBuild and nurture strong, long-term relationships with new and existingsupporters through personalised engagement strategies informed by theHead of Development. Represent the School at meetings, events, presentations and functions tocultivate connections with prospective donors. Collaborate with senior leadership and the Donor Relations Team to ensurehigh-level donors are onboarded seamlessly and receive tailoredstewardship and recognition. DONOR CULTIVATION AND RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENTSTRATEGIC FUNDRAISING PLANNINGDevelop and implement strategies to attract new major donors, aligningwith the School’s fundraising priorities for UK in-year activity, as well asUSA and Asia development.  Work with senior leadership to set fundraising targets, track progress, andreport on performance across each giving level prioritising annualdonations of £50k+ per annum.PROPOSAL PREPARATIONCollaborate with content, communications and marketing team colleaguesto create compelling materials that articulate the School’s mission andstrategic priorities. Contribute to the planning and delivery of fundraising campaigns, events,and initiatives to engage, cultivate and convert prospective supporters. PROSPECT RESEARCH AND IDENTIFICATIONMaintain and update the active prospects pipeline, ensuring allopportunities are tracked and appropriately prioritized with touchpointsand assigned relationship leads.  Contribute to the invitations tracker to ensure all prospects are engagedwith in a systemised and relevant way according to location, interest,propensity to give. MONITORING, REPORTING, AND ANALYSISMaintain accurate records of donor engagement and interactions in theCRM system improving and refining systems and processes as part of agrowing department. Monitor progress against fundraising targets, providing regular reports andinsights to senior leadership on pipeline value from identification tostewardship stages.  Analyse donor trends, sector insights and curate feedback to refineengagement strategies.TEAM COLLABORATION AND LEADERSHIPWork closely with colleagues across Development and the SeniorLeadership Team as well as Artistic and Academic staff to refine thepropositions and align fundraising priorities.  Host year-round events with the Development Team to enable all prospectengagement.  Mentor and support junior staff involved in development activities whereappropriate.PERSON SPECIFICATIONESSENTIAL CRITERIAProven experience in donor cultivation and relationship management -Demonstrated success in building and sustaining 5 and 6 figure annualrelationships with major donors and key stakeholders. Strong organisational and project management skills - Capacity to managemultiple donor relationships, events/projects, and fundraising initiativessimultaneously, while maintaining attention to detail in a dynamic officeenvironment.Strong strategic fundraising expertise - Ability to design, implement, andevaluate fundraising strategies that align with institutional priorities anddeliver measurable outcomes. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Skilled at engaging andinfluencing diverse audiences through persuasive written and verbalcommunication, including at senior levels. Proficiency in proposal and campaign development - Experience preparingcompelling fundraising proposals, campaign materials, and event strategiesthat inspire donor support. Analytical and reporting skills - Ability to monitor, interpret, and report onfundraising performance, donor trends, and engagement metrics using CRMand data analysis tools. Collaborative teamwork - Proven ability to work effectively acrossdepartments and with senior leadership, collaborating with colleagues toachieve shared goals. Ethical commitment and alignment with institutional values - Demonstratedintegrity, discretion, and commitment to advancing the mission and valuesof the School through responsible fundraising practices.DESIRABLE CRITERIAA knowledge and appreciation of ballet, the arts, performance, elite sport  Understanding of 501c3 and Endowment Fund structures  Previous experience of using Salesforce.The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare ofchildren and young people and recognises that safeguarding and promotingthe welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. The School expects all staffand volunteers to share this commitment to children’s safeguarding and toshare this child-centred approach. This approach means that staff mustconsider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child. Additionally, thefollowing is expected of all staff: To uphold the School’s policies relating to safeguarding and childprotection, behaviour, health and safety and all other relevant policiesTo promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons forwhom you are responsible and come into contact with To report any safeguarding concerns using the relevant channels, such asinforming the Designated Safeguarding Lead, in a timely and appropriatemannerTo ensure full compliance with all statutory regulations, particularly themost recent Keeping Children Safe in Education, and to communicateconcerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, other relevant staff of TheRoyal Ballet School or local children’s services as appropriate.SAFEGUARDING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESWe are committed to creating an environmentwhere all our employees feel part of our team andcan flourish, regardless of their background. We’reproud to be an inclusive workplace that promotesand values diversity. The information detailed here about this role shouldnot be considered encompassing. Over time, theemphasis of the job may change without changingthe general characterisation of the role or the levelof duties and responsibilities. This information will beperiodically reviewed and revised in consultationwith the postholder.CLICK HERETO APPLYCLICK FORASSISTANCEWITH YOURAPPLICATIONCLICK TOCONTACT USIF YOU HAVEQUESTIONS