Patrons Manager Full-time
Hybrid (at least 3 days per week on-site in Bloomsbury, London) Permanent £35,928 per annum Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Tuesday 5 May 2026
About the role
We are seeking an ambitious and relationship-focused Patrons Manager to play a leading role in the management and development of the Museum’s Patrons Programme. Reporting to the Senior Patrons Manager, you will drive income growth, ensure high retention, and act as the primary contact and face for the majority of Patrons groups.
Working closely with the Senior Patrons Manager, Patrons Coordinator, and colleagues across the department of Development, Events and Supporter Engagement, you will contribute to the success of the Patrons Programme and ensure continuity and leadership across all Patrons activities in the absence of the Senior Patrons Manager.
This is a key role for a confident fundraiser who thrives on building long-term relationships and delivering ambitious targets to make a real impact on one of the Museum’s most important supporter groups.
About you
- Proven experience in fundraising, membership, or patron management, with a track record of achieving ambitious income targets.
- Ideally, you will understand fundraising structures within large organisations like the British Museum with experience of relationship-building with high-net-worth individuals.
- Exceptional interpersonal, organisational, and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Resourceful, analytical, and proactive, with the ability to problem-solve and implement solutions.
- IT literate, with experience using Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM systems.
- Available to work evenings and occasional weekends.
Key areas of responsibility
Patrons Programme leadership
- Tale ownership of the majority of the Patrons Programme, leading on income, retention, and engagement.
- Act as the main contact and face for most Patrons groups, building strong relationships and ensuring an exceptional experience.
Income growth and stewardship
- Work with the Senior Patrons Manager and Research Team to identify, cultivate, and recruit new Patrons, particularly at £5,000 and £4,500 tiers.
- Work with the Philanthropy and Supporter Engagement teams to identify giving opportunities and steward existing donors effectively, while also providing insight and feedback to support the retention and renewal of existing Patrons.
Programme administration
- Oversee day-to-day Patron enquiries, liaising with the Patrons Coordinator and escalating issues where necessary.
- Ensure all processes, including renewals, acknowledgements, and data management, are delivered efficiently, accurately, and to the highest standard.
The British Museum is undertaking its biggest transformation since its founding nearly 300 years ago. This physical and intellectual transformation includes large scale building and gallery transformation, new ways of connecting with audiences and different ways of working. As we look towards this exciting future, we remain guided by the words of our founder Hans Sloane - who dreamed of a museum connecting all arts and sciences, which would be accessible to everyone, everywhere.
At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do and have designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here, but we’ve outlined some highlights below:
- Free exhibition entryfor you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
- 25 days’ annual leaveplus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years).
- Learning and developmentthrough courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
- Employee Assistance Programmeavailable 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more.
- including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.Enhanced parental leave
- Support for carersthrough Employers for Carers.
- Civil Service Pension Schemewith a secure, inflation‑linked defined benefit.
Our Values
Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:
- Care Deeply
- Embrace the Unknown
- Spark Curiosity
- Value Many Voices
These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.
Additional details
At the British Museum, we are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process where every applicant has the opportunity to present their genuine strengths and experience in their own voice.
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org.
*Unfortunately, for this role we are unable to offer Sponsorship to applicants*
The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
Title File Job Profile document