At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage a flagship membership programme for the Royal Ballet and Opera.
- Company: Join the iconic Royal Ballet and Opera, a leader in the arts sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to creativity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the arts while building meaningful relationships with Patrons.
- Qualifications: Experience in membership or philanthropy, with strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
Salary starting from: 45,000 per annum based on skills and experience
Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week
Based in: Covent Garden, London
The Royal Ballet and Opera continues to lead the way in opera, ballet, music and dance both live on stage and through multiple digital platforms, from live streaming to worldwide cinema screenings. Our Covent Garden theatre has been at the heart of London and British cultural life for three centuries. We are home to two world-class Companies: The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.
This role sits within the highly committed and successful Development and Advocacy Department, which generates over 41m revenue annually, plus additional capital funds, and secures the annual Arts Council England grant (currently 22.9m). The Department's revenue generation and advocacy to Government of the value of our creative sector ensures the RBO can retain the best artists and crafts people, deliver our thriving National Schools Programme, maintain our beautiful grade I listed building, deliver on our charitable mission, and continue to produce world class performances.
The Membership Team, responsible for Friends and Patrons, are responsible for circa 10m annually. Friends and Patrons also make up 30% of ticket income, 55% of other donations and 88% of legacies, emphasising the importance of community building, good processes and customer service. The Patrons of the Royal Ballet and Opera are a core loyal audience who provide vital philanthropic support to the RBO. As a thank-you for their support, they enjoy premium benefits including a concierge Box Office and special events.
The Senior Patrons Manager at the RBO is a high-impact role for an experienced membership or philanthropy professional ready to take ownership of a flagship scheme. We are looking for someone who is confident managing the day-to-day delivery of a membership programme, proactive in identifying and recruiting new Patrons, and committed to building meaningful, long-term relationships that encourage renewal and deeper support.
Our ideal candidate will be results driven, with a pro-active, can-do attitude that is role modelled in the small team of reports and more widely across the Department. You will be solutions focused with experience of taking accountability for improvements and resolutions. You will be able to lead and develop a small team, manage a busy workload with high output and productivity and demonstrate highly effective influencing skills.
You will have:
- Senior-level experience within a membership, patrons or philanthropic environment, ideally involving high-net-worth individuals.
- Proven track record of driving income growth against targets and KPIs, with strong commercial and analytical judgement.
- Sound knowledge of Gift Aid and relevant charitable legislation, ensuring best practice compliance.
- Experience managing and growing donor relationships, including face-to-face engagement.
- Experience leading membership or patron schemes, identifying opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
- Proactive, accountable and outcome-focused, with the ability to manage a substantial and fast-paced workload.
- An understanding and knowledge of the art forms is not essential but the ability to learn and communicate effectively and persuasively about opera, ballet, music and dance to Patrons is critical for this role.
The Royal Ballet and Opera is one of the UK's leading arts organisations and our aim is to inspire imagination, ignite emotion and make the extraordinary for everyone. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion underpin all that we do. We want our people to be representative of the diversity in the UK. We understand the creativity and innovation that diversity can bring and strive to create an inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive. We encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and skills to join our teams. We particularly welcome applications from those who are from a global majority background and/or those who are disabled, as they are under-represented within our organisation.
We are a Disability Confident Employer, which means that we are actively working to ensure that candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions feel supported, engaged and able to fulfil their potential in the workplace. We will endeavour to offer an interview to candidates who tell us they wish to participate in the scheme and who demonstrate in their application that they meet the essential criteria for the role, though sometimes due to the volume of qualified candidates with declarations this is not possible.
The RBO is also committed to safeguarding and protecting all children, young people, and adults and we implement robust safer recruitment practices. Due to our safeguarding promise, certain roles will be subject to a DBS check before commencing employment with us, which will be indicated in the advertising.
Closing date for applications: 11:59pm, 7th June 2026
Interviews will be held over two stages: The 1st stage will be online via Microsoft Teams w/c 15th June 2026. The 2nd stage will be in person at ROH Covent Garden w/c 22nd June 2026.
To ensure a fair process, late applications will not be considered under any circumstances. Applicants must have work authorisation for the UK. No agencies.
Senior Patrons Manager - WC2E 9DD in West Wickham employer: ROYAL BALLET AND OPERA
The Royal Ballet and Opera is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Covent Garden, London, where creativity and passion for the arts thrive. Employees benefit from a commitment to diversity and inclusion, alongside opportunities for professional growth within a prestigious organisation that values community engagement and philanthropic support. With a focus on inspiring imagination and fostering long-term relationships, the Royal Ballet and Opera provides a rewarding environment for those dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the arts sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Patrons Manager - WC2E 9DD in West Wickham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current or former employees of the Royal Ballet and Opera. Building relationships can give us insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the Royal Ballet and Opera's recent projects and initiatives. We want to show that we’re not just passionate about the arts but also informed about their impact and direction.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do mock interviews with us. This will help us articulate our experience and how it aligns with the Senior Patrons Manager role, making us feel more confident when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After interviews, send a thank-you email expressing our appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a small gesture that can leave a lasting impression on the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Patrons Manager - WC2E 9DD in West Wickham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’s packed with clues about what we’re looking for, so make sure you understand the key responsibilities and skills required for the Senior Patrons Manager role.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! We want to see how your experience aligns with our needs. Highlight relevant achievements and skills that show you’re the perfect fit for managing our Patrons programme.
Show Your Passion for the Arts:While you don’t need to be an expert in opera or ballet, showing enthusiasm for the arts can really set you apart. Share any experiences or interests that demonstrate your commitment to the cultural sector.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and helps us keep track of all applications. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at ROYAL BALLET AND OPERA
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, take some time to research The Royal Ballet and Opera. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you connect your experience with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Results
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've driven income growth or improved membership programmes in your previous roles. Use metrics and KPIs to illustrate your success, as this will demonstrate your results-driven approach.
✨Build Relationships
Since the role involves managing donor relationships, think of ways to highlight your experience in building long-term connections. Share stories that showcase your ability to engage with high-net-worth individuals and how you’ve fostered loyalty among patrons.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle specific challenges related to membership management or patron engagement. Think through potential scenarios and prepare your responses, focusing on your proactive and solutions-focused mindset.
