Why work with us

Students sat on steps, facing the front of the RCM's Blomfield building
The Royal College of Music is a truly exciting and diverse place to work, with currently over 450 employees.

There are numerous benefits to working at the RCM, including opportunities to watch high quality student performances, 24/7 free and confidential advice from Confidental Care (CiC), season ticket loans, contributions to eye tests and much more.

Equality, diversity & inclusion

The Royal College of Music is committed to creating a safe, fair and supportive environment for all. Described at its foundation as an institution whose doors were to be ‘thrown open to the whole world’, the RCM is an international and diverse community, which aims to ensure that each individual is treated with respect and dignity.

Related documents

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Disability Confident Committed

Health and wellbeing

Flexible working

All staff have the right to apply for/request flexible working should they wish to do so.

Employee Assistance Programme

Supporting staff wellbeing is very important at the RCM. All staff can get free and confidential advice from Confidential Care (CiC). The service is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, by telephone or via the web.

Many staff are trained Mental Health First aiders to support colleagues. 

We also have Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) & Wellbeing Ambassadors at the RCM, who act as a first point of contact for staff or students who have EDI or wellbeing questions or concerns. They provide confidential, impartial and non-judgemental guidance.

Events tickets

Our events seasons are packed full of exciting concerts, masterclasses, operas and talks. 

Staff are entitled to one free ticket per charged concert (excluding Opera and non-RCM promotions), and unlimited tickets for non-charged concerts.

Travel

Interest-free season ticket loans are available to cover the cost of a 12 month season ticket between a member of staff’s residence and the RCM. Tax-free bicycle loans are also available under a similar repayment scheme.

Eye tests & hearing tests

The RCM will cover the cost of an annual standard eyesight test or hearing test (normally up to £25) and contribute £50 towards the cost of glasses, provided that they are for use with a Video Display Unit (VDU).

Related documents

Flexible working - the right to apply

Working from home, remote & hybrid working guidance

The local area

The Royal College of Music is located in the exciting and vibrant cultural area of South Kensington. We are situated opposite the Royal Albert Hall and within easy walking distance of The Natural History Museum, The V&A, The Science Museum and Hyde Park.

The local area offers many shopping and dining opportunities and staff of the RCM have discounts at a number of local businesses.

How to get to the RCM

Pay & grading

The RCM’s payscale is the nationally agreed single pay spine (as used by most Higher Education Institutions) with London weighting incorporated. All roles grades 1-11 are subject to an objective job evaluation process (HERA) which determines the grade of the role.

We will normally appoint to the first point of the grade unless there are exceptional extenuating circumstances. Staff receive an annual salary increment on 1 August until they reach the maximum point of the grade, dependent on 6 months service at 1 August.

Related documents

Payscale

Gender pay gap report 2021

Annual leave

The RCM offers a generous amount of annual leave for staff.

  • Full time staff on grades 1-7 are entitled to 30 days (210 hours) annual leave
  • Full time on grade 8 and above are entitled to 35 days (245 hours) annual leave
  • Part time staff receive a pro rata entitlement of the above

Please note, the RCM closes for three days between Christmas and New Year and these days are counted as annual leave.

Family-friendly policies

The RCM understands the demands of family life and seeks to support staff in maintaining a good work-life balance through enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption/surrogacy and shared parental leave. All staff have the right to apply for/request flexible working should they wish to do so.

Pension schemes

The RCM operates three pension schemes: 

The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) is available for all administrative staff, and members can make additional voluntary contributions.

Visit the USS website

The Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) is available for all academic staff, with members also able to make additional contributions.

Visit the Teachers' Pensions website

The National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) is available for all Junior Department teachers, regardless of earnings.

Visit the NEST website

Learning and development

The RCM offers a range of learning and development opportunities for staff.

Eligible members of staff can also apply for professional development funding to support individual learning activity.

Disability Confident logo

Get in touch

If you would like to speak to us about working at the Royal College of Music in general or about a particular vacancy, please feel free to contact our Recruitment team, who will be very happy to help you.

Recruitment

recruitment@rcm.ac.uk

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