Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

Salary in the region of £80,000 pa 38 days’ holiday |Defined contribution pension scheme | Hybrid working

For over 120 years, RADA has stood at the forefront of dramatic arts training, nurturing generations of actors, directors, writers, producers and technical artists who have gone on to shape the worlds of theatre, film and television. Access and diversity are at the heart of RADA, and we are deeply committed to ensuring talented students from all backgrounds can experience our training, uplifting the greatest range of voices and perspectives.

This is an exciting time to join us. Our vision and strategy focus on sustainability and inclusion, foregrounding excellence, equitable practice and wellbeing, and empowering artists. Alongside developing our growth strategy, estates strategy, industry partnerships and international offer, we are addressing two urgent priorities: investment in our estate and in bursaries to ensure all talented students can thrive. At the same time, we are building a renewed alumni strategy, creating opportunities for graduates to connect, collaborate and shape the future of our industry. We are also working from our foundational strengths to grow income streams through life-changing work, aligned with our core pedagogy and ethos. We aim to co-create with industry and other stakeholders to build on our reputation as a centre of excellence and innovation in our field.

We are now seeking an impactful and strategic leader to join us at a pivotal moment in our journey. As Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement and part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will play a central role in shaping and delivering a bold fundraising strategy that supports both revenue and capital ambitions, raising funds to renew RADA’s estate and technical capabilities as well as safeguarding bursaries. A key focus of this role will be leading our major gifts programme, cultivating and stewarding high-value relationships with philanthropists, trusts and foundations, alumni and industry partners to unlock transformational support for RADA’s mission and future.

This role offers the chance to lead a transformative phase of growth. You will be instrumental in aligning fundraising efforts with our organisational strategy, including our vision for inclusive training, international engagement and sector leadership.

Our new Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement will be a dynamic and experienced professional, ideally with a background in the cultural or higher education sectors, with a proven ability to lead, inspire and deliver impact, and a track record in major gift fundraising and strategic donor engagement.

If you are excited by the opportunity to shape the future of dramatic arts training, and to make a lasting difference through life-changing work, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For a confidential conversation about this exceptional opportunity, please contact our recruitment partners at Richmond Associates. For further information, key dates, and how to apply, please visit: https://richmond-associates.com/job/dpae-rada/

Please tell us if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to help you in your application or with our recruitment process. We are taking positive action by guaranteeing an interview to any applicant who self-identifies as being from a Black, Asian or Global Majority background, and/or who self-identifies as D/deaf or disabled, and has experience as a development department lead or deputy lead in the cultural and Higher Education sectors. If you regard yourself as having these characteristics, please state so clearly on your supporting statement. Closing date for applications: 09:00 on Wednesday 29th October 2025