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Lightyear Foundation is an ambitious, national, disabled-led charity creating accessible and inclusive STEM opportunities for D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent children and young people.
Interested in joining our team? Please scroll down to explore our current vacancies and read the job description and person specification for each role. Before submitting your application, please read the How to Apply section carefully so you know what to include, how to submit it and when applications close. We look forward to hearing about the skills, experience and perspective you could bring to Lightyear Foundation.
Programme Manager - Outreach and Family Learning
The Role:
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Programme Manager to help us expand accessible STEM opportunities for young people and their families.
This is an exciting new full-time role, combining leadership of Breaking Barriers with STEM, our major new three-year programme funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, with the management and delivery of other Lightyear Foundation projects and programmes.
You will work with young people, families, schools, community organisations and partners across the UK to develop and deliver accessible and inclusive STEM opportunities. You will coordinate regional delivery, support staff, freelancers and volunteers, build strong partnerships and make sure that learning and the voices of young people shape what we do.
We are looking for someone with strong programme management and organisational skills who can turn ambitious plans into high-quality delivery. You will need to be collaborative, practical and comfortable working across a range of projects and relationships.
You can read the full Job Description and Person Specification for this role here.
Salary: £33,500 - £36,400 FTE, depending on skills and experience
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Home-based within the UK, with travel as required
Contract: Fixed term to 31 August 2029
Closing date: Sunday 4 October 2026 (23.30)
Interviews: 13 and/or 15 October 2026
We particularly encourage applications from suitably qualified D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people. We offer a guaranteed interview to D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent applicants who meet all the essential criteria for the role. Please let us know in your application if you would like to be considered under this scheme.
Volunteer and Communities Coordinator
The Role:
We are looking for an organised, friendly and enthusiastic Volunteer and Communities Coordinator to lead our work with volunteers, our Youth Group and wider communities.
This is a new part-time role. You will lead the recruitment, onboarding, deployment, support and development of volunteers across Lightyear Foundation, alongside supporting our Youth Group and wider communities.
You will help create consistent, accessible and welcoming opportunities for people to contribute to Breaking Barriers with STEM and Lightyear Foundation's wider programmes and activities.
We are looking for someone with strong organisational and people skills who can build positive relationships and make sure volunteers and community members feel welcomed, supported and able to contribute. Relevant experience might come from employment, volunteering, community involvement or other parts of your life.
You can read the full Job Description and Person Specification for this role here.
Salary: £24,100 - £27,700 FTE, pro rata for 7 hours per week
Hours: 7 hours per week
Location: Home-based within the UK, with travel as required
Contract: Initial two-year contract
Closing date: Sunday 4 October 2026 (23.30)
Interviews: 19 and/or 20 October 2026
We particularly encourage applications from suitably qualified D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people. We offer a guaranteed interview to D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent applicants who meet all the essential criteria for the role. Please let us know in your application if you would like to be considered under this scheme.
Fundraising Assistant
The Role:
We are looking for an organised and enthusiastic Fundraising Assistant to help us find and secure the funding we need to grow our work.
This is a new part-time role. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and wider team, you will research funding opportunities, help maintain our fundraising pipeline, coordinate applications and reports, and make sure deadlines and follow-up don't get missed.
You will also have opportunities to develop your fundraising skills - drafting and editing lower-value or less complex applications using agreed templates, and supporting larger bids with background work, all under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer.
We are looking for someone with strong research, writing and organisational skills and excellent attention to detail. You don't necessarily need extensive fundraising experience - relevant skills and experience gained through research, administration, communications, bid writing or other settings may also be a good fit.
You can read the full Job Description and Person Specification for this role here.
Salary: £24,100 - £27,700 FTE, pro rata for 14 hours per week
Hours: 14 hours per week
Location: Home-based within the UK, with travel as required
Contract: Initial two-year contract
Closing date: Sunday 4 October 2026 (23.30)
Interviews: 20 and/or 21 October 2026
We particularly encourage applications from suitably qualified D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people. We offer a guaranteed interview to D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent applicants who meet all the essential criteria for the role. Please let us know in your application if you would like to be considered under this scheme.
How To Apply
Please email your application to jobs@lightyearfoundation.org.
You must send the following:
Your CV
A covering letter explaining how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role and why you would like to work for Lightyear Foundation
Also, please state which role you are applying for
Application Formatting
To support accessibility and ensure applications can be reviewed fairly and consistently, your CV and covering letter must:
Use a simple, text-based layout
Use a minimum 12-point font
Avoid graphics and photographs
Avoid tables and text boxes
Avoid columns
Avoid other complex design features
We may reject applications that do not follow these formatting requirements.
Closing Date:
Applications for all three roles close on Sunday 4 October 2026 at 23.30.
Interview Dates:
Programme Manager - Outreach and Family Learning: 13 and/or 15 October 2026
Volunteer and Communities Manager: 19 and/or 20 October 2026
Fundraising Assistant: 20 and/or 21 October 2026
Please read the relevant Job Description and Person Specification carefully before applying.
Working at Lightyear Foundation
We are committed to genuine flexible working and recognise that talented people balance work alongside caring responsibilities, disability-related needs, study or other commitments.
As a disabled-led charity, lived experience is at the heart of what we do. We are committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace where people can contribute their skills, experience and perspectives.
We particularly encourage applications from suitably qualified D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in employment.
What We Offer:
Genuine flexible and remote working
The opportunity to be part of a supportive, collaborative and disabled-led organisation
Opportunities to develop your skills and experience
The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent young people's access to STEM
28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, pro rata for part-time employees
Freelance Vacancies
We are always looking for skilled freelancers to join our team of associates to help us deliver our work. Email info@lightyearfoundation.org for more details.
Volunteer Vacancies
Please contact info@lightyearfoundation.org for any vacancy enquiries
Lightyear Youth Group
The Lightyear STEM Youth Group is a group of disabled and neurodivergent young people aged 14-25, who meet regularly to share their stories, experiences, and ideas about STEM with each other and with the Lightyear Foundation.