Director of Philanthropy

The Royal College of Surgeons of England is a world-leading professional membership body and registered charity founded to advance the art and science of surgery. It has been a cornerstone of professional excellence for over two centuries, representing tens of thousands of surgeons, dental professionals, trainees and students across the UK and internationally. Our purpose is simple yet profound: to improve patient care and support the surgical profession at every stage of its journey.

This is an exceptional moment to join us. With a strong executive team in place and a new strategy launching in 2026, we are shaping a modern, progressive College that honours its proud heritage while building for the future.

Philanthropy is central to that ambition. Through the power of giving, we can accelerate surgical innovation, strengthen training and research, and use our museum and heritage collections to inspire the next generation of surgical leaders. We are redefining how we engage, inspire and steward our most significant supporters, and how we unlock philanthropy's full potential to create lasting impact.

As our new Director of Philanthropy, you will play a pivotal role in this transformation. Working closely with our Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team, Trustees and Development Board, you will lead a renewed culture of strategic giving, shaping a coherent approach that reflects both the scale of our vision and the reach of our mission. You will bring clarity, creativity and pace, identifying new opportunities, building meaningful relationships, and embedding philanthropy as a shared organisational priority.

If you are inspired by the idea of shaping modern philanthropy within one of the UK's most respected professional bodies, and by the impact your leadership could have on generations of surgeons to come, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Find out more and apply through our search partners, Starfish Search:

Closing date: Friday 9th January 2026