Fundraising Manager (Trusts, Foundations and Government)

Could you help secure the funding that brings ambitious museum projects, exhibitions and public programmes to life?

About us

The Science Museum Group brings together five museums, each with its own remarkable collections, audiences and public programme. That creates a varied fundraising environment, with opportunities spanning major capital projects, exhibitions, public programmes and the work that supports our museums day to day.

Our Fundraising and Partnerships team works with supporters and organisations to help make this work possible. Within it, our Trusts, Foundations and Government team manages established funding relationships alongside a developed pipeline of opportunities, securing support for activity across the Group.

This is a fixed term contract until January 2028.

About the role

As a Fundraising Manager in our Trusts, Foundations and Government team, you’ll manage an established and varied portfolio of trusts, foundations and public-sector funders, grants and prospects.

You’ll be involved throughout the fundraising relationship. That could mean getting to know a project and working with colleagues to develop a compelling application, managing an existing grant and its reporting requirements, or planning thoughtful stewardship that helps a funder understand the progress and impact their support is making.

You won’t be starting from scratch. You’ll inherit established relationships and a developed pipeline of opportunities, while also identifying appropriate new prospects and developing existing relationships further. Working across our different museums and projects, you’ll have the opportunity to build experience across capital, programme and core funding.

Collaboration will be a big part of the role. You’ll work with colleagues across the Science Museum Group to understand their projects, turn plans and ideas into strong, well-evidenced applications, and produce accurate and engaging reports for our funders. You’ll also work closely with colleagues across Fundraising and Partnerships to support the department’s objectives and income generation targets

You’ll join an experienced specialist team with established knowledge and relationships to draw on, and the role can be based at the National Railway Museum in York, the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester or the Science Museum in London. Regular travel to other Science Museum Group sites will be part of the role.

About you

We’re looking for someone who knows how to turn a strong project into a compelling case for support and build trusted, productive relationships with funders.

You’ll have experience of securing five-figure investment, with a focus on trusts, foundations and/or public-sector funding, gained within the cultural sector or a similar environment. You’ll understand grant management and what different stakeholders need from a funding relationship, from the initial application through to reporting and stewardship.

Strong writing and communication skills will be important. You’ll need to take sometimes complex information from colleagues and shape it into clear, persuasive applications and reports, while being comfortable influencing, negotiating and working with people at different levels both inside and outside the organisation.

There’ll often be several things moving at once, so you’ll be organised, comfortable managing competing priorities and able to maintain high standards when deadlines are tight. You’ll also bring good judgement and discretion when handling funder, prospect and organisational information.

Experience of the cultural or not-for-profit sector would be useful, as would knowledge or experience of the cultural sector in Northern England, but these are listed as desirable rather than essential in the role profile.

Don’t feel you meet all the criteria? We welcome you to apply even if your experience doesn’t match directly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this, or other opportunities that we have.

Applying

View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under ‘Attachments’ on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click ‘Apply Online’ to submit an application.

As part of your application, we’ll ask you to tell us about your experience of securing five-figure funding from trusts, foundations and/or public-sector funders, and about managing and developing established funder relationships.

What we offer

Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you’ll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.

• Meaningful work. We’re a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.
• Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
• Work/life balance. We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
• Healthcare cash plan. Digital health tools, gym discounts and cashback towards your everyday healthcare costs.
• Wellbeing. All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme and other wellbeing support.
• Colleague networks. Our colleague-led networks provide a space for colleagues to exchange ideas, discuss topics of shared interest and lived experience, socialise and build a sense of community.
• Enhanced contributory pension. To support you in saving for the future.
• Interest-free loans. When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.
• Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops and cafés, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.

Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group’s five core values and sets out our aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, able to continue to Inspire Futures.