Student and academic marketing and communications manager jobs

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Royal Ballet School is a global centre for performance excellence. Its dual mission is to nurture the best ballet dancers for the main stages of the world and assure the future of classical dance art form. With 90% of our students relying on financial support to attend, philanthropy is fundamental to ensuring the School remains accessible to exceptional talent, regardless of financial circumstances. Through exceptional stewardship of existing supporters and the successful cultivation of new funding partnerships, this role will play a vital part in securing the School's future and enabling the next generation of outstanding dancers to realise their potential. 

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

As an integral member of the Development Team, the Development Manager will support the growth of our trust and foundation partnerships to fund a number of our core annual programme areas (Student Bursaries, Healthcare, Facilities etc) as well as new projects. The Manager will also lead on research and funding applications to trusts and foundations, while also delivering quality impact reporting across the School’s work.

CONTRACT TERMS

Duration: Fixed-term maternity cover (approximately 12 months) from October 2026

Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday, with flexible hybrid working

Location: Upper School, Covent Garden, WC2E 9DA, with the option to discuss remote work

Salary: £45,000 per annum

Application closing date: 14 August 2026. Applications will be screened on submission. The School reserves the right to interview and appoint if a suitable candidate is found before the closing date.

MAIN DUTIES

SUPPORTING EXISTING DONOR RELATIONSHIPS

• Maximise income from existing trust and foundation funders by building and maintaining strong relationships, ensuring agreed donor retention and income targets are achieved across designated projects and programme areas
• Steward trust, foundation and corporate funders already or capable of contributing over £100,000 per year by producing high-quality, timely and compelling reports, funding proposals and thank-you communications
• Collaborate with the Development Team to deliver effective donor stewardship through events, communications and year-round engagement activities that strengthen relationships with funders and other key stakeholders.

DEVELOPING NEW DONOR RELATIONSHIPS

• Support members of the Development Team and Centenary working committee, to identify, engage and deliver excellent income and impact for the School
• Work with the Head of Development to research, write and present attractive and compelling fundraising applications and proposals to trusts and companies for core programmes
• Engage key prospect targets through effective and appropriate verbal and written communication. This may range from sharing curated content and short case-studies to producing in-depth project proposals that include detailed financial data and research findings.
• Lead on the creation of Impact data, end of year reporting for core programme outputs and outcomes (showcasing Healthcare, Academic and Artistic performance and more), while ensuring links back to the case for support and the School’s strategic objectives as originally stated. 

WORKING ACROSS INTERNAL DEPARTMENTS AND TEAMS

• Contribute to forecasting and regular reporting, internal planning and budget setting and producing verbal and written reports for senior management as required
• Liaise with relevant departments across the School to gather information for applications and reporting
• Produce and submit quality funding reports to meet deadlines, liaising with relevant teams to ensure funder requirements are met and the evidence base for funding is strengthened. Keep accurate and timely records of approaches, grant opportunities and funds received on our CRM.
• Play an active role within the fundraising team and contribute to the development and creation of strategies and campaigns to increase fundraising through all channels
• To maintain up-to-date knowledge of fundraising regulations, networks, and developments across the sector, advising on best practice in relation to Trusts fundraising.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience
• Proven experience securing and managing multi-year grants from trusts and foundations, including raising at least £50,000 annually from grant funders
• Demonstrable success in building and maintaining long-term relationships with trusts, foundations, funders and donors
• Experience researching prospective funders and developing compelling funding applications, reports, updates and other fundraising communications
• Proficient in using fundraising databases, such as Salesforce, to maintain accurate records and support donor management
• Ability to analyse and communicate complex information, data and organisational impact in a clear, persuasive and engaging way
• Strong understanding of fundraising best practice, current sector trends and impact measurement and evaluation
• Excellent IT, data management and administrative skills, with experience handling financial and confidential information
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines and maintain exceptional attention to detail
• Proactive, self-motivated and adaptable, with the ability to respond effectively to changing priorities and opportunities
• Positive and collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of supporting or managing significant fundraising appeals or projects
• Working knowledge of the Adobe Creative Cloud Acrobat, InDesign and Photoshop
• Familiarity with performing arts, education, culture sectors. 

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM AT THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL?

• Unique cause with demonstrable impact and global standing as a centre of excellence for student and teacher training
• We are an ambitious and supportive team with opportunities for learning and development
• While most of the team work from our Covent Garden office three days a week, we're open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including remote working, with the right candidate
• Excellent engagement with existing donors with established prospect pipeline
• Close working relationships across the organisation and with collaborative stakeholders
• Generous employee benefits and invitations to watch performances. 

SAFEGUARDING DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and recognises that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment to children’s safeguarding and to share this child-centred approach. This approach means that staff must consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child. Additionally, the following is expected of all staff:

• To uphold the School’s policies relating to safeguarding and child protection, behaviour, health and safety and all other relevant policies
• To promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons for whom you are responsible and come into contact with
• To report any safeguarding concerns using the relevant channels, such as informing the Designated Safeguarding Lead, in a timely and appropriate manner
• To ensure full compliance with all statutory regulations, particularly the most recent Keeping Children Safe in Education, and to communicate concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, other relevant staff of The Royal Ballet School or local children’s services as appropriate.

This job information cannot be all encompassing. It is inevitable over time that the emphasis of the job will change without changing the general character of the job or the level of duties and responsibilities entailed. Consequently, this information will be periodically reviewed, revised and updated in consultation with the post holder to reflect appropriate changes.

We are committed to creating an environment where all our employees feel part of our team and can flourish, regardless of their background. We’re proud to be an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity.

Job title: IT and Digital Systems Officer
Department: External Relations 
Responsible to: Head of External Relations
Location: London (UK) - Hybrid working
Salary: £32,500 gross per annum
Working pattern: Full-time, 38.5 hours per week
Duration of contract: Fixed term, 18 months (with potential to become permanent)
Start date: As soon as possible

We're building the future of our digital systems — and we need a curious, capable IT and Digital Systems Officer to help us do it.

Join our dynamic team as an IT and Digital Systems Officer. We are seeking an individual who is looking for a new role and enjoys a varied work environment. In this position, you will work as part of our IT-savvy External Relations team, providing support to UWC International across our IT and digital landscape, including Google Workspace. While experience with Google Workspace is preferred, we are open to candidates with an inquisitive mind who, with training, can learn new systems quickly.

This is an exciting time to join us, as we are undertaking a digital infrastructure project that includes developing a new application platform and CRM. Although you will not be managing these projects, there will be opportunities to get involved, allowing you to further develop your skills.

Currently, this is a fixed-term position related to the completion of the digital infrastructure project. However, there is potential for the role to become permanent and to grow once the new systems are fully implemented.

If this challenge appeals to you, we encourage you to apply.

About us

Changing the world takes passion and dedication

UWC is a global movement of 18 schools across four continents with a shared mission: to make education a force for peace and a sustainable future. Each year, we bring together young people from over 150 countries and diverse backgrounds to live and learn together in richly diverse, international settings – developing not only academic excellence, but cross-cultural understanding and a drive for social impact. UWC students don’t just prepare for exams, they prepare to lead change. Through real-world challenges, they build the skills, compassion and courage to make a difference. 

Our students go on to become leaders in politics, NGOs, business, education and grassroots movements – people shaping a more just and sustainable world. Today, our global network includes more than 85,000 changemakers united by the values they lived at UWC. 

About UWC International 

UWC International is the operational arm of UWC, a UK-registered and Germany-registered charity at the heart of the global UWC movement. Based in London and Berlin, our team works closely with stakeholders across the UWC network and supports a global alumni community of over 85,000 changemakers.

Our work includes global fundraising, communications, promotion and support for the network of more than 150 UWC national committees. We also lead on global strategy and provide key services to UWC schools and colleges.

We are proud to reflect the diversity we champion. Our international team represents over 25 nationalities, bringing a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences. We are committed to anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion (ARDEI) across all aspects of our work – ensuring our organisational culture reflects the values we promote across the UWC movement.

What we offer

As part of a commitment to our employees, we offer the following:

UWC International London

• Hybrid working - we operate hybrid working arrangements, with at least 20% of the week in the office and up to 80% working from home.
• Flexible working hours - our standard working hours are 38.5 per week. We support flexible working and are happy to discuss different working patterns.
• Generous annual leave allowance – we offer 28 days holiday per year plus 8 public holidays (pro rata for part-time or fixed-term contracts).
• Paid leave for personal growth - up to 2 days per year for volunteering or up to 2 days per year for study leave.
• Learning & development opportunities – we have access to various learning and development platforms to support your professional growth, as well as a budget set aside for professional development.
• Enhanced sick pay
• In-person meetings: Yearly Staff Away Days, team retreats and travel to our international schools and international events as needed to create connected teams.
• Income Protection & well-being support - We offer income protection to all employees, an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with access to a legal support helpline, remote GP appointments, medical second opinions, mental health support, physiotherapy, lifestyle coaching, personal trainer and nutritionist sessions, and a well-being calendar featuring podcasts and webinars.
• Exclusive discounts & perks - with access to a range of discounts across shopping, dining, lifestyle and entertainment, with thousands of offers on hundreds of top retailers.
• Cycle scheme and eyecare vouchers
• Enhanced maternity and enhanced paternity leave
• Higher-than-standard pension contribution scheme - UWC International will contribute up to 8% of the employee’s gross salary toward their Pension scheme with NEST in the UK.

Visa requirements

Anyone who applies to work at UWC International in London must have a work visa before starting employment, in compliance with the relevant immigration rules. Please provide confirmation of your eligibility to indefinitely work or reside in the UK in your application. If you are planning to be USA based, please make this known in your application. Any offers of employment made by UWC International will be subject to a right-to-work check on your immigration status.

Application Process

Do you want to be part of our team? To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV along with a cover letter in English (each a maximum of 2 pages). 

Your cover letter must:

• Outline your experience, skills and competencies against the Person specification section in the attached Job Description.
• Explain why you want to join UWC International.
• Confirm your eligibility to work or reside in the UK.
• Provide the name and contact details of two professional referees, including their job title, email address and the capacity in which you are known to them. References are taken up prior to the second round interviews. We will not contact your referees without first letting you know.

Please note that CVs received without a cover letter, including the information requested above will not be considered.

Deadline for application: 10:00 AM UK time, Monday 10 August 2026

Interview and/or assessment dates:

• First round interviews week commencing 17 August (remote)
• Second round interviews  week commencing 24 August (remote)

Safeguarding Statement

The job holder might have to travel to UWC schools and colleges. Therefore, a Basic DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) or international equivalent will be required before any job offer is made. We will also take up references before the second stage of the interview process. Referees will not be contacted without your consent.

Diversity Statement

UWC places deliberate diversity at the heart of our educational model because of its critical importance in our mission ‘to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future’.

At the UWC International Office, we believe this commitment to deliberate diversity must be reflected within our team, organisational practices, policies and culture. We recognise people with different backgrounds, skills, attitudes and experiences bring fresh ideas and perceptions, and we encourage and leverage these differences to make our work more relevant and accessible.

We will not discriminate or tolerate discriminatory behaviour on any grounds such as, but not limited to, race, gender, disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital/partnership or family status, sexual orientation, age or socioeconomic background. 

We strive to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging, has a voice, can raise concerns, and feels comfortable and confident. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment and to act accordingly as we aspire best to serve the UWC mission and our global community. It is an ongoing journey and we welcome all those ready to travel with us.