Head of Philanthropy
Flexible hybrid working, with a minimum of two days each week in our North London office • £51,840 (plus £1500 London Weighting, if applicable) • Permanent
Applications Close October 19, 2026
We are Nordoff and Robbins
Nordoff and Robbins is the UK’s largest music therapy charity, with more than 60 years’ experience using music to support people affected by illness, disability, trauma, isolation, social exclusion and mental health challenges.
Music therapy is a clinically recognised, HCPC-regulated allied health profession. Through music-making within a therapeutic relationship, it helps people to communicate and be more expressive, build confidence, connect with others and improve health and wellbeing.
We provide therapy through our own centres and in partnership with schools, hospitals, care homes, hospices and community organisations across England, Scotland and Wales. We also train music therapists through our accredited Master’s and PhD programmes and invest in research to strengthen the impact of our work.
Using the Nordoff Robbins approach, which is practised worldwide, our work is person-centred, collaborative, flexible and strength based. Everyone who could benefit from music therapy deserves access to it because music has the power to transform lives.
Our culture
At Nordoff and Robbins, everyone has a role to play in building and nurturing our inclusive culture. You will be encouraged to be yourself, contribute your perspective and work with colleagues who put the people we exist to serve at the centre of what we do. We work collaboratively, with integrity and kindness, and want everyone to feel a genuine sense of belonging.
Could this be the place for you?
If you are an ambitious, values-led fundraising leader who combines strategic thinking with outstanding relationship-building, this could be your next role. You will be confident, engaging major donors, trusts, senior volunteers and colleagues at every level; commercially aware and insight-led; and motivated by the opportunity to secure transformational support. You will bring energy, sound judgement, accountability and a commitment to excellent supporter experiences to ensure we meet our ambitious philanthropic income targets.
What we need
About the role
As our Head of Philanthropy, you will play a pivotal role in delivering sustainable income growth and advancing our long-term ambitions. Reporting to the Director of Fundraising, you will lead our approach to major donors, mid-level donors and private trusts, establish and embed a successful legacy programme, and provide strategic oversight of individual giving in partnership with the Engagement and Communications team.
You will develop and manage a robust portfolio and pipeline of high-value prospects and supporters, using thoughtful cultivation, solicitation and stewardship to secure significant five- and six-figure gifts. By understanding each supporter’s motivations and aligning them with our strategic priorities, you will create compelling opportunities, inspire loyalty and build long-term philanthropic investment in our work.
Working across the organisation, you will translate our priorities and impact into persuasive cases for support, proposals and donor communications. You will work closely with the Director of Fundraising, CEO, senior leaders and trustees to open and develop relationships, lead high-quality donor engagement and provide clear forecasting and performance insight. You will also lead and develop the Philanthropy Officer, champion excellent relationship fundraising, and ensure our work meets fundraising, data protection and charity-sector standards.
What we offer
The three best things about the job (in our humble opinion)
- You will shape and lead a high-value philanthropy programme at an important point in the charity’s journey, with the opportunity to secure transformational and multi-year support.
- You will be working closely with our Director of Fundraising, CEO, senior leaders and our trustees, combining influential internal partnership with direct access to inspiring supporters and networks.
- You will lead a broad and developing portfolio spanning major and mid-level donors, private trusts, legacies, and individual giving, all in support of life-changing music therapy.
A salary of £51,840 plus £1,500 London Weighting (where applicable) total £53,340 pa
Flexible hybrid working, with a minimum of two days each week in our North London office.
Enhanced maternity/paternity/parental leave, enhanced sick leave, Pension Sheme and generous 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Salary sacrifice benefits including cycle to work
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
An inclusive culture where you can feel a sense of belonging — and lots of music!
We have a firm set of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) principles and values that we all commit to:
1: ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
Understanding the / Removing any barriers (including barriers in communication methods) to becoming a client, colleague, trustee, student, volunteer, supporter doner or any user/contributor to the services of Nordoff and Robbins.
2: PROVIDING EQUITY OF OPPORTUNITY
Giving everyone the right tools and access for salary, promotions, roles, responsibilities, learning, development, and access to a Music Therapist for those at most need.
3: DIVERSE ENGAGEMENT
Reaching our audiences in a multitude of ways including by having conversations with them, and meeting them where they are – be that through services, communications, events, research, resources etc.
4: BE FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION
To ensure we have fair practices, and allow people to speak out, question and challenge language, actions and behaviours of Nordoff and Robbins as an organisation and those who represent it and to provide channels for them to do so safely.
5: BE VIGILENT, PROACTIVE AND RESPONSIVE
To instil a culture of continual listening, evolving, and learning from people including our clients, their families and our colleagues and students.