Job Details

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 there is a deep commitment to ensuring talented students from all backgrounds can experience their training, uplifting the greatest range of voices and perspectives.

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

RADA now seeks an impactful and strategic leader to join at a pivotal moment in its 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 their 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 their organisational strategy, including their vision for inclusive training, international engagement and sector leadership.

The 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.

A generous benefits package will be available for the successful candidates, including 38 days’ holiday, a defined contribution pension scheme and hybrid working options.

Closing date for applications is 09:00 on Wednesday 29th October 2025

First Stage Interviews: Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th November 2025

Second Stage Interviews: Thursday 27th and Friday 28th November 2025

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.