JOB VACANCY: DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

SUPPORTING DOCUMENT

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in this role and in the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM).

The RNCM is an internationally-renowned music conservatoire and home to one of the busiest public arts centres in the UK. Its essential purpose is to educate and train musicians to the highest level, in a stimulating and innovative environment, relevant to the needs and demands of the music industry. Proud of the important role we play in the cultural life and rich artistic heritage of the City of Manchester, today's RNCM extends its influence across the UK and globally, with our alumni holding prestigious positions in all branches of the creative industries worldwide.

RNCM 2020 charts a strategy for the College over the next six years that is ambitious and exciting. We will respond with confidence to the high expectations we are setting ourselves, securing our future financial sustainability, strengthening our global reach and impact, and enhancing the contribution we make to social prosperity in the City of Manchester, the North West, and beyond.

We are looking for an ambitious, innovative, persuasive and highly credible individual to work with the Principal, the Chairman of the Board of Governors, senior staff and external stakeholders to develop fundraising strategies to support the ambitious strategic plan of the RNCM This is an exciting and unique opportunity to make a significant contribution to the College at a key stage in its development.

I hope the information in this pack proves useful and gives you sufficient guidance to pursue your application. Further information is also available on our website

If you would like to have an informal discussion about the post please do not hesitate to contact me in person on: 0161 907 5273 or email my Executive Office:

I look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely,

Linda Merrick, Principal

The Role

We are looking for an individual to develop and implement a new fundraising strategy to support the College’s ambitious strategic plan, RNCM 2020. This is an ideal opportunity for an ambitious, articulate and creative individual to make a significant contribution to the RNCM at an important stage in its development.

Reporting directly to the Principal, this role has overall responsibility for fundraising including stakeholder management, identification of major gift prospects, development of financial targets, and acting as a key ambassador for the College.

The role holder will devise and deliver a Development Strategy to support RNCM 2020, leading fundraising campaigns in close collaboration with the Principal, the Chairman of the Board of Governors, other board members and senior staff, including personally securing major gifts.

The role holder will be a key relationship manager, working with stakeholders across the College and beyond to cultivate, maintain and leverage strategic relationships for fundraising purposes.

SUMMARY OF MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic

  1. Provide strategic leadership for the development function of the College and assist the Principal and other senior staff in raising the College’s profile.
  1. Work with the Principal, Chairman, Board and senior staff to identify areas of potential interest to donors/trusts and develop fundraising campaigns to support the strategic plan, RNCM 2020.
  1. Develop and manage an appropriate volunteer structure/Development Board typically comprising leading executives, business figures, patrons of the College, individuals and charitable trusts with an interest in music/the arts to support fundraising.
  1. Developing and managing key relationships to support the College.

Development and fundraising

  1. Identify and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, developing and implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies for potential donors.
  1. Work with the Principal, Chairman of the Board of Governors and other senior staff to help identify and assess emerging priorities and projects, prepare a persuasive case for support and write proposals, information material, endowment agreements and other documents to support fundraising activities.
  1. Collaborate with other departments/teams within the College to develop and provide key messages and communications for stakeholders, students, alumni, parents, friends and donors to support the College’s fundraising objectives.
  1. Implement annual operational plans for the Development Office, to underpin the strategic plan and maximize the philanthropic and commercial income of the College.
  1. Lead on the development and implementation of donor relationship management systems and processes both within the Development Department and across relevant departments within the College.

Managerial

  1. Lead and manage the Development Team to support an effective and efficient Development function, including the setting of financial targets and performance indicators over a 6 year period (2014-2020).
  1. Manage the Departmental budget including expenditure and income forecasts for capital and revenue from individuals, trusts and foundations, businesses, events and other earned income opportunities. Work with the Deputy Principal to establish and maintain robust and appropriate systems for the reporting of donations and pledges.
  1. Utilize appropriate fundraising and engagement data to prepare statistical analyses and reports for the Board of Governors and the Executive Committee for fundraising/philanthropic activity.
  1. Develop and implement donor-related policies, acknowledging the College’s responsibilities to its donors and upholding the College’s policies on ethical acceptance of gifts and management of benefactions.

Candidates will be able to show evidence of:

  • Proven experience/track record of successful fundraising with high level private and corporate donors.
  • Experience of leadership, preferably in a senior role, and experience of managing a team.
  • Experience of working effectively with Board members, executive teams, senior staff and external advisors to maximise relationship building with potential donors.
  • Experience of engaging and managing volunteers, either in a fundraising or engagement activity.
  • Proven success in managing events for fundraising and engagement outcomes.
  • Knowledge and understanding of philanthropy and charitable giving, especially in an arts/cultural context.
  • Experience of working in an arts environment either in an arts organisation or a charity supporting artistic activities.
  • Education to degree level.

Personal qualities will include:

  • Outstanding interpersonal skills with the necessary listening, facilitation, negotiation and diplomatic skills to represent the College at the highest level.
  • Outstanding written and oral communication skills with experience of writing and presenting effective, clear, compelling and persuasive proposals.
  • Excellent judgement and ability to establish immediate credibility and influence with potential donors/trusts.
  • Strategic and creative thinking with proven ability to develop and implement strategies with impact.
  • Enthusiasm and proactive initiative, drive and commitment.
  • A good team player with proven ability in working collaboratively with other departments within College and with external partners/stakeholders.
  • Self-motivation and the ability to lead, manage, mentor, motivate and work as part of a team and with experience of managing people through change.
  • Ability to interpret financial and statistical information, manage budgets and produce accurate and appropriate reports.
  • Awareness of cultural sensitivities and the ability to navigate these appropriately.
  • A personal commitment to, and affinity with, music of all genres.
  • Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge software and knowledge of the higher education sector would be an advantage.

Candidates must be willing to work outside normal hours including some evenings and weekends. Ability to undertake national and international travel is essential.

The College

In 1893 Charles Hallé founded the Royal Manchester College of Music which merged with the Northern School of Music in 1972 to form the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). In 2013, it celebrated its fortieth anniversary. The RNCM today is one of the world’s leading conservatoires and a thriving performance venue. In the last academic year, there were 595 undergraduates and 213 postgraduates; 217 of whom were international students (EU and overseas) representing more than 45 different countries including Australia, Brazil, China, Malaysia, Norway, South Africa, Ukraine and USA. In 2013-14 the College has 20 postgraduate research students (including 11 part-time students).

The College is a small specialist higher education institution, which prepares students drawn from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities for a professional career in music, primarily performance or composition. The strong vocational orientation is reflected in the organisation of the College’s main undergraduate provision. The full range of courses students may take includes a four year Bachelor of Music (with an option of a three year intensive pathway), Master of Music/Postgraduate Diploma, International Artist Diploma, Bachelor Degree in Popular Music and PhD. The College also runs a GRNCM course delivered in parallel with The University of Manchester’s MusB for students of exceptional practical and academic ability, and collaborates with Manchester Metropolitan University in the delivery of a PGCE in Specialist Instrumental/Vocal Teaching. Staff comprise some of the most distinguished teachers, performers, conductors, composers and scholars in the world.

The College has five performance-based schools: Composition, Keyboard Studies, Strings, Vocal Studies and Opera, and Wind, Brass and Percussion, each with its own Head. Schools are responsible for delivering the specialist practical work required within the College’s courses, and are supported by specialist departments offering high quality provision in opera, brass, chamber music, jazz and conducting. The College has a strong popular music offer for aspiring session musicians, and is unique among UK conservatories for the opportunities it offers for students to move flexibly across different musical styles. It does not have a separate Early Music Department, but has a robust commitment to the development of historically-informed performance skills as part of the core curriculum. The highly-regarded Junior RNCM provides expert tuition and specialist training for children and young people (aged 8-18) with exceptional musical ability and operates on Saturdays during term time.

Complementing its role as a conservatoire of international standing, the College also serves as a major regional centre for the arts and as a national touring venue. Facilities include four main performance spaces – the Theatre has a full-sized, fully equipped stage and fly tower, and can seat up to 650; the newly-refurbished Concert Hall, seating up to 750, houses a Hradetsky four manual concert organ; the versatile Studio Theatre space can seat up to 120 and the Carole Nash Recital Room seats 117.

Organisation

The College is established as a Higher Education Corporation under the terms of the Education Reform Act 1988 and the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. Under these provisions the College is also an exempt charity under the terms of the Charities Act 1993, and is subject to the oversight of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in its role as a Principal Regulator under the Act. The Members of the Corporation constitute the Board of Governors (the ‘Board’) of the College, chaired by Mr Nick Prettejohn, which carries the ultimate responsibility for the College’s overall strategic direction and for ensuring that satisfactory arrangements for the management of its core and supporting business activities are in place and ‘fit for purpose’. The College receives substantial public funding to support its activities, and is regulated by HEFCE in accordance with the terms of a Financial Memorandum, issued and reviewed by HEFCE, most recently in August 2010.

The Principal is responsible to the Board for the leadership, organisation, direction and management of the College. Although the ultimate responsibility for what is done in this regard rests with the Board, the Principal exercises considerable influence upon the development of institutional strategy, the identification and planning of new developments, and the shaping of institutional ethos. The College’s executive structure consists of the Executive Committee (EC) comprising senior executive officers and senior academic staff of the College. The EC discusses operational andpolicy issues, financial and human resource matters, both operational and strategic, and acts as an advisory body for the Principal on a wide range of internal and external matters. The EC brings together the senior executive officers, the Director of Development, the Dean of Research and Enterprise, the Artistic Director, plus the Heads of Marketing and Communications and Quality Assurance and Enhancement.

The Academic Board of the College is also chaired by the Principal and is responsible, subject to the oversight of the Board of Governors, for establishing the academic governance arrangements for the College, which include policies relating to learning, teaching, scholarship and research. These include academic criteria for the admission of students, approval of the content of the curriculum, approval of policies and procedures for the examination and assessment of students, for appointing and reviewing internal and external examiners and assessors, and for monitoring the quality of academic programmes. It is also the final authority for the determination of student progression and for the granting of academic awards in the name of the College.

Teaching

The College has had taught degree undergraduate and postgraduate degree-awarding powers since 2007. It offers MPhil and PhD programmes in performance, composition, musicology and music pedagogy which are validated and awarded by Manchester Metropolitan University. The College’s academic year runs over three terms rather than two semesters.

Since gaining taught degree-awarding powers, the College has taken a new strategic approach to the development of its academic portfolio and now offers the following programmes:

  • a four year Bachelor’s degree in Music (BMus Hons);
  • a three year intensive pathway leading to the Bachelor’s degree in Music (BMus Hons);
  • a Bachelor Degree (BA) in Popular Music in collaboration with Access to Music (the UK’s leading designer and provider of popular music education, training and consultancy);
  • a four year GRNCM diploma made available in parallel with the three year MusB (Hons) at The University of Manchester;
  • a PG Diploma in Performance or Composition;
  • a PG Diploma in Performing Arts Leadership in collaboration with Artis (a private organisation developing artist-practitioners to work in all aspects of the performing arts in schools);
  • a PGCE in Specialist Instrumental/Vocal Teaching in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University;
  • a one or two year MMus in Performance or Composition (with an intensive one year option for exceptional students);
  • a one or two year MPerf, offering the advanced practical skills expected of solo performers entering the musical profession;
  • Hallé/RNCM String Leadership Programme;
  • Junior Fellowship in Conducting;
  • a Postgraduate Diploma (International Artist) in solo performance, chamber music, conducting, and opera and vocal studies for outstanding performers.

The College has a Graduate School which is a dynamic and interactive community of international staff and students, and also serves as an administrative centre for the College’s portfolio of taught postgraduate programmes and the management of research degrees and associated activities.

Performance

The College is a forward-thinking, internationally-acclaimed conservatoire, located close to the heart of Manchester, one of the UK’s most culturally vibrant cities. The College’s unique position as both a conservatoire and thriving performance venue means that students benefit from unparalleled opportunities to perform regularly to public audiences and to work alongside professional musicians and visiting artists.

The performance programme presents over 400 concerts and events annually, attracting in the region of 120,000 attendees. These include:

an extensive programme of ensemble activity for RNCM students including Opera, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Orchestra and Big Band;

concerts by internationally-recognised artists from a range of genres including classical music, world music, and contemporary folk and jazz;

masterclasses, composer festivals and instrument specific focus days;

‘Spotlight’ and Monday lunchtime concerts that give a public performance platform for student-devised projects.

The College has a wide range of partners from the private and public sectors, all of whom play a significant part in enhancing the student experience and the employability of the College’s graduates. The College’s relationship with Manchester Camerata is unique in the UK, as it involves the residency of a professional orchestra within a conservatoire environment. This relationship offers students the chance to experience at first hand the workings of a high profile chamber orchestra, and to make important contacts with players and the staff who support them.

The Platform is the RNCM’s international centre for ensemble and vocal training which provides over 400 opportunities each year for students to participate in auditions, education projects and public performances in the UK and Mainland Europe. It offers an unrivalled breadth and depth of immersive learning experiences that develops the skills needed to become a professional musician. Over the past decade, the RNCM has established strong partnerships with the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, the Black Dyke Band and Opera North. More recently, the College has added even more to the list, making The Platform one of the most sought-after schemes offered by a conservatoire. New partners include the Academy of Ancient Music, Academy of St Martin in the fields, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, European Chamber Music Academy, Foden’s Band, KorVest, Orchestra of Opera North, Netherlands Wind Ensemble, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Northern Ballet and the Stuttgart Opera Studio.

These relationships provide invaluable work experience for students through the College’s Professional Experience Schemes, and add enormous value to the student experience. Many students who are successful in securing a placement opportunity through audition go on to forge successful orchestral careers. As well as placements with regional and national orchestras, the College has a residency arrangement with Black Dyke Band, offering placement opportunities to accomplished students with one of the world’s leading brass bands.