At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fundraising strategy to secure multi-year income for STEM education initiatives.
- Company: Join a purpose-driven organisation dedicated to transforming young lives through STEM.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, pension scheme, and paid volunteering leave.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' futures while growing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in fundraising and exceptional communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 80000 £ per year.
Are you a strategic fundraising leader passionate about transforming young people’s lives through STEM education? Are you driven by building meaningful partnerships and securing sustainable, multi-year income? If so, this is your opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in a highly purpose-driven organisation with a mission focusing on improving teaching, enriching learning, and growing the STEM talent pool, to open up a world of opportunities.
At STEM Learning, we believe every young person deserves access to high-quality STEM education and career support, regardless of their background. We aim to empower students with the skills and knowledge to thrive. We do this through:
- Professional Development for educators: Subject-specific training for teachers and technicians in science, computer science and AI.
- Resources: Quality-assured materials that enhance teaching and learning.
- Destination STEM: Inspiring, hands-on student-facing experiences including to support skills enrichment and career education.
- STEM Ambassadors: A nationwide network of 28,000 volunteers from over 5000 employers bringing STEM to life for young people.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, and as a member of the Senior Management Team, you will lead our fundraising strategy and team to secure significant, multi-year income from major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates. You’ll be responsible for expanding our funding base including with high-net worth individuals, deepening key relationships, and ensuring STEM Learning has the partnerships and resources to achieve its mission.
Key priorities include:
- Driving new funder engagement and positioning STEM Learning as a trusted, high-impact partner delivering measurable social value.
- Building and maintaining a strong, diverse pipeline of six plus figure partnerships.
- Securing sustainable, multi-year income across a balanced portfolio of major donors, trusts and corporate relationships.
- Leading, motivating, and developing the fundraising team.
- Collaborating across the organisation to align funding proposals with STEM Learning’s strategic priorities and ensure exceptional programme delivery and stewardship.
- Contributing to organisational strategy improvements as a member of the Senior Management Team.
What we’re looking for
Candidates will demonstrate our values: Sustainable – Innovative – Proactive. We’re looking for an entrepreneurial, relationship-driven leader who will take ownership for identifying opportunities for new funds and contribute to the overall fundraising strategy of STEM Learning. You’ll have:
- A strong track record of securing significant income from high-net-worth individuals and trusts and foundations.
- The confidence and gravitas to engage senior stakeholders, trustees, and C-suite decision-makers and must be comfortable ‘making the ask’.
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with a collaborative, values-driven approach.
- Experience leading and empowering teams to achieve shared goals and maintain momentum.
- Creativity, resilience, adaptability and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- A passion for/understanding of the power of STEM education and enrichment is desirable.
- Experience of establishing or maintaining a Fellowship programme is desirable, but not essential.
By joining us, you’ll:
- Contribute to exciting, high-profile STEM initiatives that have a lasting impact on students and employers alike.
- Work alongside passionate colleagues dedicated to shaping the future of STEM careers.
- Be supported by a collaborative and dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and creativity.
- Gain the opportunity to grow professionally.
If you’re passionate about STEM education and ready to progress your career in project management, we’d love to hear from you.
Our Benefits
- 30 days holidays plus bank holidays (plus your birthday)
- Access to an attractive pension scheme
- Our full-time hours are 37 hours per week
- Up to 3 paid volunteering leave days per year
- A comprehensive employee assistance programme
- Access to a voluntary staff benefits scheme including cycle to work loan scheme; health cash back plans; free eye tests; discounted vouchers and much more.
Next Steps
The closing date for applications is 26 June 2026, at 14:00. First stage Interviews (via Teams) – 2/3 July 2026. Second stage interviews – week commencing 13 July 2026.
To Apply
Please provide us with:
- Your up-to-date CV including the contact details of two referees (please note, references will not be approached without your permission and will not be taken up until the offer stage)
- A covering letter (no more than the equivalent of 2 sides of A4) explaining your interest in the role and why you think you would be the ideal candidate.
STEM Learning strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to employing teams with diverse abilities, skills, and experiences. We foster a culture where every employee’s voice is respected and valued.
Head of Fundraising employer: STEM Learning
STEM Learning is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming young lives through high-quality STEM education. With a collaborative and dynamic work environment, employees benefit from generous holiday allowances, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth while working alongside passionate colleagues committed to making a lasting impact. Join us in shaping the future of STEM careers and enjoy the unique advantage of contributing to meaningful initiatives that empower students and enrich learning experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Fundraising
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the STEM education sector. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities you might not find through traditional job searches.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for STEM! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to express your enthusiasm for transforming young lives through STEM education. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to the cause.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation thoroughly and come armed with questions that show you’re genuinely interested in their mission. Think about how your skills align with their goals and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their fundraising strategy.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application directly, so make sure you submit it through our platform. This way, we can keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Fundraising
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Fundraising role. Highlight your experience in securing significant income and building partnerships, as these are key for us at STEM Learning.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for STEM education and your strategic approach to fundraising. Use it to showcase how your values align with ours and why you’re the perfect fit for the team.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; highlight your achievements in previous roles. We want to see how you've driven fundraising success and built relationships that matter.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a seamless application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at STEM Learning
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into STEM Learning's mission and values. Understand their current projects and how they impact young people's lives through STEM education. This knowledge will help you connect your experience with their goals during the conversation.
✨Showcase Your Fundraising Success
Prepare specific examples of your past fundraising achievements, especially those involving high-net-worth individuals and trusts. Be ready to discuss how you built relationships and secured significant income, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead their fundraising strategy.
✨Engage with Passion
Express your enthusiasm for STEM education and its importance. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to transforming young lives through education. This passion can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about STEM Learning’s future initiatives and how the fundraising team collaborates with other departments. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values and career aspirations.
