Staff Benefits

The RNCM is a special place, and we’re committed to taking care of our employees and delivering added value at every opportunity.

What it’s like to work here

• We enjoy a friendly, collaborative and supportive working culture with a family friendly approach and offering blended (agile/hybrid) working for all non-frontline roles. You can spend up to three days per week working from home if your job is not frontline delivery.
• We have an inclusive culture, strongly believing in equity for all and actively promote a sense of belonging.
• We like to develop staff and provide you with opportunities which you probably wouldn’t get in a much larger organisation. You will gain experience in a wider range of duties and have opportunities to really make a difference in our small teams.
• Many staff started work at more junior levels in the RNCM and have been promoted through the organisation.
• We are collegial with the staff voice being very important to us.
• As a small workplace you will get to know most other staff, especially meeting over coffee or lunch in our Café or a drink after work at our Bar.
• If you like music, free tickets are available for most performances and you will hear music throughout the building!

Benefits

Flexibility. We offer formal flexible working (part-time, job-share, term time only, compressed hours, annualised hours and flexitime depending on the role) or through blended (agile/ hybrid) working meaning you can work from home for up to three days per week for staff whose roles are not frontline. You can also work more days onsite in the winter if you are trying to keep your home energy costs down.

Working hours are 35 compared to 37+ in most sectors.

Annual leave. A minimum of 35 days and a maximum of 43 days (depending on length of service) inclusive of bank holidays and a minimum of 2 closure days between Christmas and New Year.

Family friendly policies. Maternity, Paternity and Adoption pay are paid at an enhanced rate for eligible employees, above the statutory rates. We have various policies which support the working lives of staff who have caring responsibilities such as the Flexible Working Policy and the Leave of Absence Policy. We know that “life happens” and we are supportive for those life emergencies you need to sort out.

Travel. We have cheap parking, loans for season tickets and offer a cycle to work scheme which (savings on the cost of a new bicycle and associated safety equipment by providing vouchers taken out of your salary before tax).

Pensions are either GMPF (Greater Manchester Pension Fund) or USS (Universities Superannuation Scheme) both of which are a defined benefit (guaranteeing a set amount per month) compared to most other sectors where there is no guarantee. RNCM tops up pensions via an employers’ contribution (18.9% for GMPF and 23.7% for USS), adding significantly to your pension pot.

Staff discounts are offered on the RNCM Food and Drink menu which includes hot drinks, cakes and snacks in the Café. You can also get loyalty points and further offers on food and drink by using our Yoyo app. You can also have a discounted pay-as-you go swim rate per swim at the Manchester Aquatics centre just across the road. You are also eligible to get a Totum student discount card to get money off your favourite things all along the high street.

Staff Wellbeing is key to happy, productive staff. Our Staff Wellbeing Hub provides information, support, training and social/networking activities so you can get to meet other staff (important in a blended working environment).

Staff voice is very important. We have a staff engagement programme and we involve staff in our decisions/policy-making. In our latest staff satisfaction survey 98% of staff were satisfied to work at the RNCM.

Learning and development is supported here with access to comprehensive development and training and the opportunity to gain further qualifications through our Apprenticeship Levy funding. If you don’t have all the skills and qualifications in the advertised role, it is worth contacting us to see if we can offer training and development to get you there.

Employee Assistance Provision (EAP). Our external provider can assist employees with personal issues as well as general support such as financial, benefits or housing advice. A telephone helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days per year. It is a completely confidential advice, support and information service as well as telephone counselling. The College isn’t given details of any staff who contact the service.

Other benefits

Eye Care Vouchers. We offers free eye-screening for all staff who use display-screen equipment in the workplace, through Specsaver’s Opticians.