Head of Philanthropy and Events

Location: St Pancras
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time (36 hours)
Grade: SB4
Salary: £54,728 per annum


About the role

The British Library is one of the world’s greatest cultural, intellectual and research institutions. With a collection of more than 170 million items, it serves millions of people each year across the UK and around the world.

With a new Chief Executive and Senior Director of Development in place, and ambitious plans for both the Development Office and the wider Library — including a major capital project to transform our London home — this is an exciting moment to join us.

As our new Head of Philanthropy and Events, you will play a pivotal leadership role in delivering the ambitious fundraising plans that will help realise the Library’s vision. Working closely with the Senior Director of Development, Deputy Director of Development, Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team, Trustees and senior stakeholders, you will shape and deliver strategies to grow high-value philanthropy, with a particular focus on high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), in support of the Library’s Growing Knowledge strategy and major capital fundraising ambitions.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Development Office and the wider Library, alongside senior volunteers, to identify, cultivate and secure new philanthropic support, in line with the Library’s international ambitions. You will inspire and lead your team to grow our community of major donors, Patrons and legators, while overseeing a high-quality VIP events programme that strengthens donor cultivation and stewardship across all Development Office income streams.

This is a compelling opportunity for an ambitious, experienced fundraising leader with strong networks and a track record of securing significant philanthropic support. You will bring strategic vision, clarity and creativity, alongside the drive to build momentum, unlock new opportunities and develop meaningful, long-term relationships with the Library’s most significant supporters.

If you are excited by the opportunity to lead philanthropy and events at one of the UK’s most respected and globally significant cultural institutions, and to harness the transformative power of philanthropy to advance knowledge, culture and access at scale, we would be delighted to hear from you.


About us
We are the national library of the UK and we are here for everyone. Our shelves hold over 170 million items – a living collection that gets biggerevery day. Although our roots extend back centuries, we aim to collect everything published in the UK today, tomorrow and far into the future. Our trusted experts care for this collection and open it up for everyone to spark new discoveries, ideas and to help people do incredible things.


What we can offer you
- 25 days’ holiday plus 2.5 privilege days.
- Access to a defined benefit Civil Service pension scheme.
- Flexible working arrangements, including flexi-time.
- Full details of employee benefits can be found on our Careers: Benefits


Closing at 23:59 on Sunday 29 November 2026

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

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