Shaw Education Trust is excited to introduce a brand-new Director of Fundraising role, offering an exceptional opportunity for an experienced fundraising leader to build and shape our fundraising function from the ground up.
This is not an opportunity to step into an established fundraising department, you will be the person who creates it. You will develop the strategy, establish the infrastructure, build the relationships and create the capability needed to make fundraising a significant and sustainable source of income for the Trust.
Working at senior level across the Trust, you will identify opportunities across philanthropy, major giving, trusts and foundations, grants and corporate partnerships, creating a strong pipeline of investment to support our strategic priorities and enhance opportunities for our pupils. You will work closely with our Executive Leadership Team, Trustees, academies and external partners to turn our educational impact and community reach into compelling opportunities for investment.
We are looking for an established fundraising professional with significant senior-level experience and a proven track record of securing substantial income. You will bring extensive knowledge across major gifts, philanthropy, trusts and foundations, grants and corporate partnerships, alongside the ability to develop compelling cases for support and build trusted relationships with high-value donors, funders and business leaders.
Just as importantly, you will have the entrepreneurial mindset and strategic leadership skills to build a function from scratch and be experienced and comfortable creating structure, establishing systems and processes, setting ambitious targets, developing pipelines and putting in place the governance and performance frameworks needed for long-term success.
This is a rare opportunity to create the fundraising function, shape its future and leave a lasting legacy across Shaw Education Trust. As the function develops, there will be significant scope to grow its capability, reach and impact making this an exciting time to join the Trust and be at the beginning of something with real potential.
At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.
Our values—opportunity, integrity, community, and equity—guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.
We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.
Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.
You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.
If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team.
Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.
We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.
Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:
- An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
- Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
- Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
- Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
- Free Eye Tests
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.
We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.
Closing Date 9.00am Friday 25th September 2026
Interview Date TBC – When suitable applicants are identified
Shaw Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment, click here to review Safeguarding and Pupil Protection Policy https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/key-information
This position is subject to robust vetting procedures, including an online search for all shortlisted candidates, in line with our Trust’s commitment to safer recruitment. An enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required. You will be asked to disclose all relevant unspent and, where applicable, unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions, and convictions.
As part of our safer recruitment and pre-employment checking process, all shortlisted candidates are required to provide original documentation to verify their identity, qualifications and right to work in the UK. Shaw Education Trust requires all applicants to be eligible to work in the UK with no restrictions as we are unable to offer sponsorship/work visas. You will be required to provide proof of Right to Work at interview stage and if you are offered a job position with us.
This role involves working with children and young people and therefore carries specific safeguarding responsibilities, details of these responsibilities are set out in the job description and person specification. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be required to disclose relevant criminal history information in accordance with current legislation and guidance.
Check if you need to tell someone about your criminal record: https://www.gov.uk/tell-employer-or-college-about-criminal-record/what-information-you-need-to-give
Shaw Education Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are fully committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes promote equality, diversity, and inclusion at every stage.
In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CVs alone will not be accepted.
We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date as we review applications on an on-going basis and interviews may be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, therefore, we encourage early applications.
Successful candidates will be subject to a fully Enhanced DBS check along with other relevant employment checks.