Advancement Officer

Join the RCA’s Advancement & Alumni Team

The Royal College of Art (RCA) is the world’s leading university of art and design. With a global community of over 30,000 alumni, we are proud to champion a dynamic network of artists, designers, innovators, educators and cultural leaders shaping the creative landscape worldwide.

As we enter an ambitious new strategic phase, we are investing in the Advancement & Alumni team, and are excited to recruit for two new roles that will play a central part in strengthening our fundraising and alumni engagement programmes.

About the Role

The Advancement Officer will support the Deputy Director of Advancement & Alumni in developing and delivering the RCA’s first proactive legacy programme and enhancing regular giving. Working in a collaborative team of 12, the postholder will play a key role in building donor relationships, crafting compelling fundraising proposals, and ensuring best practice in legacy administration.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to the success of the College and its students by growing philanthropic income and ensuring donors feel engaged and valued.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Deputy Director in designing and implementing plans to secure new legacy funding.
• Research and support the cultivation of donor prospects, working closely with colleagues including the Major Gift Managers.
• Provide administrative support for donor meetings, events and approaches.
• Work with solicitors, executors and beneficiaries to ensure sensitive, accurate handling of the probate process.
• Collaborate with the Events team to create meaningful engagement opportunities for donors and legacy pledgers.
• Draft and deliver high-quality donor communications and proposals, aligned with RCA standards.
• Maintain accurate donor records in Raiser’s Edge and ensure all work complies with GDPR and ethical guidelines.
• Build positive working relationships across the College to promote the work of Advancement & Alumni.
• Undertake occasional evening or weekend commitments, with TOIL provided in line with RCA policies.

About You

We are looking for a motivated, proactive individual with:

• Some experience of legacy fundraising, ideally within arts or higher education.
• Understanding of probate, tax law, Wills, trusts and estate administration.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to engage donors and colleagues at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience of using Raiser’s Edge or a comparable fundraising database.

Desirable qualities include a genuine enthusiasm for art, design, higher education and the work of the RCA.

Why Join Us?

The RCA Advancement & Alumni team is responsible for all philanthropic income and for sustaining relationships with over 26,000 alumni. We are a small, high-performing team that values collegiality, creativity and collaboration. Every member contributes to our shared success, supporting one another and working openly to achieve results.

This role offers the chance to develop your career in legacy and donor fundraising while making a real difference to the College and its students. You will gain valuable experience in a supportive, ambitious environment where your skills, ideas and commitment will have a genuine impact.

Further details: Information Pack  

RCA Benefits available here: 

https://www.rca.ac.uk/more/work-at-the-rca/staff-benefits/

Please tell us if you need any assistance in applying or if you need the information in a different format.

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