Head of Patrons
The contract is full time and permanent, and the offered annual salary is between £60,256-67,828. The employer, British Museum, is a Non-Departmental Public Body, which means it is part of central government accountable to the public through Parliament. You will work both remotely and at British Museum. The on-location is in Greater London.
Closing date 14-10-2026
About the role
The Head of Patrons is a senior leadership role, responsible for shaping and growing the British Museum’s Patrons programme and delivering an exceptional experience for more than 200 supporters. You will lead the programme strategically and operationally, strengthening recruitment, retention and engagement while maximising its contribution to the Museum’s fundraising ambitions.
At an important moment for the Museum, you will help connect Patrons with its strategic priorities and build clearer pathways into major philanthropy as the Museum prepares for its major capital campaign. Working closely with the Head of Major Gifts and Legacies, Director of Philanthropy, senior volunteers and colleagues across the Museum, you will identify supporters with the potential to deepen their giving and ensure the Patrons programme continues to evolve as a sector-leading donor programme.
About you
You will be an experienced fundraising or relationship management professional with a strong track record of working with patrons, major donors or high value clients. You will know how to build trusted relationships, manage a substantial donor pipeline and create thoughtful cultivation plans, including making face-to-face asks.
A confident and persuasive communicator, you will combine excellent judgement and diplomacy with a proactive, commercially minded approach. You will be comfortable working independently in a complex organisation and have experience of coaching and supporting colleagues. You will bring strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to adapt your approach to individual supporter motivations.
Key areas of responsibility
- Lead and develop the Patrons programme, creating ambitious plans to grow membership, engagement and income
- Build and deepen relationships with Patrons and prospective supporters, developing long term engagement with the Museum
- Grow the programme using insight and performance data to identify opportunities and drive results
- Identify and cultivate Patrons with the potential to become major donors
- Lead and develop the Patrons team and work closely with senior volunteers and colleagues across the Museum
- Shape and oversee a compelling programme of cultivation and stewardship, including events and international travel
The British Museum is undertaking its biggest transformation since its founding nearly 300 years ago. This physical and intellectual transformation includes large scale building and gallery transformation, new ways of connecting with audiences and different ways of working. As we look towards this exciting future, we remain guided by the words of our founder Hans Sloane - who dreamed of a museum connecting all arts and sciences, which would be accessible to everyone, everywhere.