QuarterFive are delighted to be supporting STEM Learning, a leading educational charity that believes every young person deserves access to high-quality education and career support, regardless of their background.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, and as a member of the Senior Management Team, you will lead the organisation's fundraising strategy and team to secure significant, multi-year income from major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates. You’ll be responsible for expanding their funding base, deepening key relationships, and ensuring the organisation has the partnerships and resources to achieve its mission.
Fundraising has developed rapidly in recent years, with investment, board-level commitment and a growing team driving success. With strong foundations in place and a portfolio of high-value partnerships, there is an exciting opportunity to scale their strategic influence and deepen their impact.
We’re looking for a relationship-driven leader who will take an entrepreneurial approach to identifying opportunities for new funds and develop long-term, high-impact partnerships.
This is a hybrid but mostly home-based role, with monthly team meetings and occasional overnight stays at the N.England headquarters, and fortnightly attendance at the London office. All travel costs covered.
As Head of Fundraising, you will:
- Lead on fundraising strategy with major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates, focusing on driving new funder engagement and developing long-term, high-impact partnerships
- Secure high-value, multi-year funding partnerships with major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates, achieving six-figure and above income targets
- Manage, develop and inspire a team of five, fostering a proactive, collaborative, innovative and high-performing culture
- Build and maintain a strong, diversified pipeline of new and repeat funders aligned to organisational priorities and ethical fundraising principles
- Engage senior stakeholders including the CEO, Chair, Trustees and senior partners to unlock networks and open opportunities
- Work closely with programme and delivery teams to create compelling funding propositions and ensure excellent stewardship and impactful reporting
- Represent the organisation at senior-level networking events, conferences and sector forums, influencing decision-makers and strengthening brand positioning
Essential skills and experience:
- Success in securing and growing income from a range of sources, including HNWIs and trusts and foundations — delivering six-figure and multi-year partnerships
- Skilled relationship builder with experience developing and stewarding complex, multifaceted partnerships that deliver mutual value and long-term impact
- Strong managerial skills to empower teams and support their professional development and enjoyment in their role
- Strategic business developer with the ability to build and maintain a strong pipeline of funding opportunities, identifying, cultivating, and converting prospects to meet fundraising targets
- Entrepreneurial and proactive, with a strong sense of ownership and the confidence to identify, shape, and present compelling cases for support
- Collaborative and influential, experienced in working across matrix structures and with remote or cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals, ensuring alignment and effective delivery
- Highly skilled communicator, comfortable presenting to diverse audiences and tailoring messages to inspire and engage at all levels
- Strong networker, eager to represent the organisation at events and conferences, identifying new opportunities, and staying informed on market trends and developments in the philanthropic and corporate partnership landscape
Desirable, but not essential:
- An understanding and general knowledge of the education landscape in the UK
- Experience of establishing or maintaining a Fellowship programme
Employee benefits include:
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Up to 15% employer pension contributions
- Private health care via Benenden Health plus Healthcare Cash Plan and Dental Plan
- Annual salary review
- Electric Car Benefit Scheme
In the first instance, application by CV only and answering the two screening questions.
It is not necessary to provide a cover letter at this stage. If you have any questions or wish for us to be aware of anything relating to the working arrangements or contract, please add to the notes section.
Suitable applicants will be invited to a briefing call where we will discuss your relevant experience and we will share a detailed brief from STEM Learning's CEO. Full support with formal application will be provided.
Please note that it may not be possible for us to reply to all applicants.
Recruitment Agency
6 - 10
Expert recruitment for fundraisers and charities.
Thank you!
Salary: £94,851 plus benefits (Our pay philosophy ensures consistency across locations and salaries. The starting salary for this opportunity plus benefits depends on location of the candidate).
The role:
We are delighted to be recruiting for a visionary, mission-driven leader to join Mary’s Meals International (MMI) as Executive Director. In this new role, you will be reporting to our Board of Trustees, through our Board Chair, and working in collaboration with our President & Founder of Mary’s Meals. As Executive Director, you will provide inspirational strategic and operational leadership of MMI, ensuring delivery of its key responsibilities within the global strategic plan.
Leading with humility, clarity and courage, you will champion faithful adherence to the vision, mission and values of Mary’s Meals, as we strive to grow our global movement and reach the next child waiting for Mary’s Meals.
As Executive Director, you will:
- Lead MMI in delivering its objectives across the three strategic pillars: Feed, Grow and Strengthen.
- Oversee the coordination and implementation of global strategy.
- Provide inspirational leadership to MMI and the MMI Executive Leadership Team.
- Strengthen organisational systems, governance and development.
- Foster strong collaboration across the global network.
- Work closely with the Board, President and Founder and MMI teams to support sustainable growth across Affiliate organisations.
About you:
You are an inspiring, effective and authentic leader with significant experience at executive or CEO level, in a complex organisation, ideally with an international footprint. Experience in an international non-profit, charity or social impact organisation would be advantageous, though not essential. Strong preference will be given to candidates with a deep understanding of our work gained through prior engagement with our mission.
You will also bring:
- Proven ability to inspire and lead senior teams, while cultivating a strong organisational culture.
- Demonstrated success in developing and delivering strategy to drive growth, innovation and organisational strengthening.
- Highly developed communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse audiences.
- Proven experience of leading transformational change, while maintaining stability and mission focus.
- A deep personal commitment to the vision, mission and values of Mary’s Meals.
About us:
We are a global movement supported by people from all walks of life, united by one goal – that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. As an organisation, named after Mary the mother of Jesus and shaped by Christian values, we feel that the way we do things is as important as the result and we welcome all who wish to play their part in our important work. We continue to change the lives of over 3 million children who today will receive Mary’s Meals.
We are a values-driven organisation - we believe in the innate goodness of people, respect the dignity of every human being and family life and believe in good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, we are fully committed to a culture of safeguarding, we are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work and we expect all the Mary's Meals family to share this commitment and work in the best interest of the communities we serve. Our safe recruitment practices ensure that only those that are committed to our high standards join our movement.
We believe in the innate goodness and dignity of every person. In line with this, Mary’s Meals is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. All applicants will be considered fairly and on merit, without discrimination of any kind.
We are happy for you to work remotely and flexibly, in a way that best supports your work-life balance. We have an office in Glasgow for those who would like to work from here occasionally or on a regular basis. Some travel to Glasgow, other locations across the UK and to countries where Mary’s Meals operates will be required.
Our Benefits:
- 34 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time working patterns) including bank holidays, increasing by 1 day each completed calendar year, to a maximum of 39 days (+ option to buy another week)
- Flexible working
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Life assurance
- Pension
Additional Information:
Salary advertised is for UK based candidates, our salary philosophy ensures consistency across locations where Mary’s Meals operates, please visit our website for more information about salaries in other locations.
To apply:
If you are inspired to join our movement and our vision, mission and values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you. Please click Apply and include your CV and a succinct covering letter, of no more than one A4 page, highlighting your motivations, suitability and outlining your participation in our mission.
Closing date for applications is Monday 22nd June 2026
Registered Charity
101 - 500
Our vision is that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.