Head of fundraising jobs in Leeds, west yorkshire

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

Role description: 

We are currently looking for a Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships to join our Fundraising & Supporter Experience Team. 

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising & Supporter Experience, the postholder will lead the development and delivery of the charity’s philanthropy and partnerships strategy, translating organisational ambition into compelling propositions, high value relationships and sustainable income growth. 

Leading a small, committed and recently established team, the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships will build on early successes to define future direction, strengthen capability, and scale income from major donors, trusts, foundations and corporate partners.  

This role offers a significant opportunity to shape and grow a developing function and play a pivotal part in enabling Yorkshire Cancer Research to deliver its ambitious growth plans and achieve its vision of a Yorkshire free from cancer.  

Specifically you will: 

• Lead and work in partnership with relevant Fundraising Managers to develop and deliver Yorkshire Cancer Research’ Philanthropy & Partnerships strategy to the charity’s mission, values and organisational strategy.

• Provide clear strategic leadership across all high value, aligned income streams, including: Philanthropy, Trusts and foundations, Corporate partnerships, Strategic and multi year funding partnerships

• Ensure the philanthropy and partnerships strategy aligns with, and complements, the public fundraising strategy, delivering a coherent overall income approach. 

To be considered for this role, you will need to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and have significant experience leading high-value fundraising and/or partnership income streams, with evidence of delivering significant and sustainable income growth.

For further details please refer to the role profile. 

Application 

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People before 9th June 2026. Please read our privacy notice before applying. 

The charity is a responsible and flexible employer.We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us.

Role description: 

We are currently looking for a Head of Public Fundraising to join our Fundraising & Supporter Experience Team. 

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising & Supporter Experience, the postholder will lead the development and delivery of the charity’s public fundraising strategy, translating organisational ambition into sustainable, insight‑led and supporter‑focused income growth.  

Leading an established and high‑performing team, the Head of Public Fundraising will build on strong existing foundations to diversify and grow public fundraising income at scale, while strengthening long‑term relationships with supporters and communities across Yorkshire.  

The role will play a pivotal part in delivering the charity’s ambitious growth plans and supporting Yorkshire Cancer Research’s vision of a Yorkshire free from cancer. 

Specifically you will: 

• Lead and work in partnership with relevant Fundraising Managers to develop and deliver Yorkshire Cancer Research’s public fundraising strategy, aligned to the charity’s mission, values and organisational strategy.

• Provide clear strategic leadership across all public fundraising income streams, including individual giving, community fundraising, challenge and mass participation events, in‑memory giving,Gifts in Wills and legacy giving 

• Ensure the public fundraising strategy aligns with, and complements, the philanthropy and partnerships and supporter experience strategies, delivering a coherent overall income approach and exceptional supporter journeys and interactions at every touchpoint. 

To be considered for this role you will need to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and have significant experience developing, managing and evaluating a broad public fundraising portfolio (e.g. individual giving, community fundraising, mass participation/challenge events, and legacy giving). 

For further details please refer to the role profile. 

Application 

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People,  before 9th June 2026. Please read our privacy notice before applying. 

The charity is a responsible and flexible employer.We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us.