Fund manager jobs

Funding Operations Manager

12 Month Fixed Term Contract – Maternity Cover

£37,199 - £44,246 pa

City of London E1 8QS and we are a hybrid working organisation

Please note this is a hybrid role based on the successful candidate working at least two days a week in our London office. Remote contracts would not be considered for this role.

Purpose of Role

This role plays a key part in enabling the smooth running of the Comic Relief Funding Department by developing, maintaining and co-ordinating the efficient and effective management of Funding Department financial and operations processes and systems. 

This post will work closely with the Funding leadership team and key posts across wider Comic Relief to ensure that Comic Relief’s funding practice is enabled through consistent and efficient financial and operational policies, processes and systems. 

Key responsibilities:

Financial responsibilities 

· Work with the Head of Funding Operations and Approaches to oversee , manage and drive the financial aspects of Comic Relief’s grant making within the Funding Department.  This includesbeing the first point of contact for Funding Department colleagues for queries relating to grant making financial processes and systems, initially troubleshooting problems and looking for ways to improve funding team financial systems, streamline funding financial team processes and generally make Funding Department financial operations more efficient

· Act as the Funding Team focal point for Finance, maintaining good communications and relationships with the CR Finance Team.

· Proactively identify risks relating to grant finances and operations, working with colleagues in the Finance and Funding Departments to propose solutions to resolve issues that may arise. 

· Support the development and delivery of training on Funding Team Financial Systems for Funding Department colleagues.

· Co-ordinate monthly payments to funded partners and assist Funding Team colleagues with trouble shooting, ensuring that payments are made on time

· Co-ordinate monthly delegated decision making on funding, including ensuring papers are submitted, and liaising with Finance to ensure funds are subsequently allocated accurately. 

· Co-ordinate processes around CR trustee board and sub-committee board approval of funding, including liaison with finance and other colleagues

· Support the Funding Director with accurate forecasting, reporting and record keeping on CR Grant Making activity, including the development and implementation of systems for tracking grant making, and the preparation of reports. 

Operations responsibilities 

· Proactively support the Head of Funding Operations and Approaches, the Funding Director, and other Funding Team heads on the development of grant giving operational policies, processes and systems, looking for opportunities to improve systems and processes to ensure efficient and consistent grant giving practice

· Support the Head of Operations and Approaches with the continual development and operationalisation of the funding handbook, including working closely and responsively with compliance, legal, finance and data teams, and proactively supporting the implementation of the funding handbook internally within the Funding Department. 

· Act as the Funding Team focal point for data queries, maintaining good communications and relationships with the CR Data Team

· Work with colleagues within CR’s data function to support the ongoing maintenance and efficient use of the Salesforce Grant Management System, in line with Funding Department operational needs

· Be the internal first point of contact within the Funding Team for queries about the Salesforce Grant Making database, initially troubleshooting problems where possible, and providing basic training to new and existing members of the funding team. 

· As requested, and as resource allows, carry out ad hoc research requests on CR’s funding utilising the Salesforce Grant Making database. 

· Assist colleagues within the Funding Team with queries around potential funded partner assessments, compliance and financial checks, and, as resource allows, assist with these assessments and checks. .

· Support with fulfilling Comic Relief commitments to initiatives such as IATI and 360 Giving

· Support the Funding team with any other finance or operations related tasks and projects as requested by the Director of Funding or Head of Operations and Approaches. 

Person specification

Essential criteria

· Experience in developing, implementing and managing financial systems and processes. 

· Knowledge and experience of grant management systems

· Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills.

· Able to work proactively and independently; able to carry out multiple tasks, prioritise, take initiative, and work to deadlines in an organised manner

· Excellent attention to detail, time management and organisation skills..

· Good communication skills, written and oral.

· Collaborative, cross-functional approach that engages colleagues, partner organisations and stakeholders.  Good relationship management skills, able to work as part of a team

· Self-motivated and driven, with the adaptability to collaboratively navigate unforeseen challenges.

· An understanding or lived experience of social injustice, and proven track record of working in alignment with Comic Relief’s commitment to social justice, anti-racism, diversity, inclusion and equity.

Desirable criteria 

· Experience in working with databases

· Skills in data collection, analysis and reporting.

· Experience of carrying out desk-based research.

Perks and benefits:

· Flexible working hours

· Work from home option

· Life Insurance

· Wellness programs

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

· Paid emergency leave

· Sabbatical Opportunities

· Professional development

· Mentoring/coaching

· Paid volunteer days

· Payroll giving

· Salary sacrifice

· Team social events

· Extracurricular clubs

· Cycle to work scheme

· Free fruit

To apply please visit our website via the link and apply online.

Comic Relief reserves the right to close the role early if a large number of applications are received.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Comic Relief we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why work at Comic Relief

There are lots of good reasons to join us at Comic Relief. You can read more about our employee benefits, such as our commitment to flexible and hybrid working. We ask staff to come to the office twice a week, normally on agreed team days, so that we can do all those things that are difficult to do online. Our office is based in Whitechapel, London,

There are lots of opportunities to develop your skills and experience at Comic Relief, including opportunities to become a Mental Health First Aider or to participate in our Employee Network Groups that focus on making Comic Relief a more inclusive place to work.

Disability Confident Employer

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we take positive action by providing first-round interviews to candidates who have a registered disability, provided they meet the minimum criteria for the role, as demonstrated on their CV and application questions.

We ask that candidates that wish to be considered for this scheme email us via our website to discuss further. Please do not email CV's/cover letters.

Prospectus is delighted to be working with an international network of NGOs, catalysing a new era of humanitarian action to lead the search for a Funding Manager (Hubs). In this role, you will collaborate with Hub representatives internationally to set up successful resource mobilisation functions in selected Hub countries and mobilise new funds directly for them. Hubs are local humanitarian networks working to change the humanitarian system in their own context. They each have unique added values and expertise and are formed by a mix of local, national and international NGO's.

This organisation is a global membership of 145+ organisations, working across six continents, to tackle the biggest systemic problems in the global humanitarian system. This organisation's vision is for a locally led humanitarian system that is accountable to people affected by and at risk of crises. They aim to achieve this vision by making system-level shifts in how humanitarian assistance is approached and delivered.

This role is offered on an initial 24-month, full time contract, paying a salary of £47,500 - £49,000 (per annum with flexible working arrangements at their Old Street, London office. There will be expected travel to visit the Hubs, around 3-4 weeks per year.

As the Funding Manager (Hubs), you will play a critical role in this organisation's localisation agenda and strategy. This will require you to bring expertise in setting up new income streams, coordinating stakeholders internationally and personally securing new income from donors. As most of the Hubs are in early stages of development and volunteer-led, you will need to provide substantial support including capacity-building, donor-mapping, direct engagement on behalf of the Hubs with donors, strategy development and various other activities.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is proactive, entrepreneurial and confident taking the lead in decision-making. The new Funding Manager (Hubs) will have a good understanding of the fundraising landscape relevant to the humanitarian sector, plus a clear interest in the localisation agenda, in addition to having experience in setting fundraising strategies that can catalyse new income as well as a strong personal track record in grant and partnership fundraising. If you are passionate about Start Network's vision for a locally led humanitarian system, then do get in touch to find out more.

How to apply:

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Femke Vorstman at Prospectus. 

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you. 

In order to apply please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon. 

The Big Chalk Partnership is made up of more than 150 organisations with a common vision of creating nature-rich chalk and limestone landscapes that benefit all of us. 

This relies on an expansion in the scale, pace and impact of nature recovery activities across southern England, benefiting globally important habitats and species and delivering ecosystem services including natural beauty, clean water, healthy soils and our own wellbeing.

The Protected Landscapes Partnership and Defra are supporting our Partnership to catalyse progress towards the UK’s nature commitments across these special landscapes. The Nature Recovery Fund Manager will co-manage a significant grants fund on behalf of Big Chalk’s Partnership Board. 

The Big Chalk programme is hosted by the National Landscapes Association. The National Landscapes Association represents and supports the UK’s National Landscapes (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The Association is a charity and non-profit membership organisation. The team advocates, communicates and fosters collaborative action which supports the UK’s network of National Landscapes to be as effective as possible. We champion the interests of National Landscapes with governments and coordinate the delivery of national projects.

We welcome applicants from a broad range of backgrounds – the most important thing is that you are motivated to work collaboratively and effectively with Big Chalk’s partners to help ensure our grant-making benefits nature to the greatest extent possible.

With significant experience of grant making and donor reporting in the environmental or social sectors, you’ll bring a collaborative mindset and be skilled at quickly building positive working relationships with new colleagues, our partners, our funders and other stakeholders. 

You’ll have applied experience of working across the grant-making lifecycle, and possess excellent analytical skills, able to identify, summarise and communicate key issues and risks. 

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, then we’d love to hear from you.

Portfolio Manager, Funding Department

12 Month Fixed Term Contract

£45,905 - £48,848 pa

City of London E1 8QS and we are a hybrid working organisation

Please note this is a hybrid role based on the successful candidate working at least two days a week in our London office. Remote contracts would not be considered for this role.

Purpose of Role

The Portfolio Manager plays a key role in the success of Comic Relief’s team responsible for grants that address the effects of poverty. This role is focused on food insecurity in the UK.

The Portfolio Manager will hold direct responsibility for new Comic Relief grant making and ongoing grant management in the UK, ensuring excellent grant making practice.

The Portfolio Manager will collaborate with other teams in the funding department and across the wider organisation to support Comic Relief’s overall objectives, including income generation.

This role sits in a team that also focuses on areas such as homelessness, early childhood development, maternal and child health, and forced migration.

Key responsibilities:

Grant making and ongoing grant management

· Manage new grant making, including working with colleagues to design funding opportunities, assessing funded partners, designing appropriate ongoing support mechanisms, and working with learning colleagues in the Funding Team on appropriate data collection

· Manage assigned funding portfolios and relationships with funded partners, ensuring that the portfolio is managed in a timely and responsive way, using Comic Relief’s (CR’s) systems and processes.

· Coordinate with other colleagues across the different teams in the funding department to ensure effective and efficient ways of working, and fruitful collaboration and learning across different funded issues and areas.

· Manage all ongoing requirements, such as narrative, financial and risk reporting, collaborating across the funding team and wider Comic Relief as appropriate.

· Work with the Assurance and Finance teams to ensure ongoing compliance across the portfolio with legal requirements, our grant conditions, reporting requirements and best practice.

· Collaborate with Partnerships colleagues to manage donor reporting and other information needs for external and internal use, such as information about our funded work and our partners.

Cross organisation and sector collaboration

· Support resource mobilisation partnerships through collaborative and supportive working with Comic Relief’s communications, fundraising and partnership teams.

· Work with the Partnerships Team to support strong relationships with existing and potential co-funding partners, including corporates and/or trusts, foundations and institutions, and support proposal development, reporting and other requirements.

· Work collaboratively across CR to support storytelling around CR’s impact.

· Develop a good understanding of areas of social change within assigned funding portfolios and areas of new grant making to be able to represent Comic Relief’s funding and priorities to internal and external stakeholders

· Contribute to internal communications regarding the work of the team and the wider Funding Team.

· Represent Comic Relief to strategic partners and co-funders, in relevant networks, and at external events.

General

· Manage the work of consultants and other contractors as required.

· Communicate in an open, honest and transparent way with funding applicants, funded partners and funding partners.

· Ensure that, when applicable, people with lived or learned experience are actively engaged with our work, contributing to the design and decision-making process of our funding portfolios.

Note: Some UK and/or international travel may be required for this role.

Person specification

Essential criteria

· Significant understanding/experience of the systems and structures that perpetuate social injustice and keep people trapped in poverty, including the best approaches to address them

· Experience and knowledge of grant making and programme design, including developing, implementing and evaluating programmes, and managing grants within a donor and / or implementing organisation.

· Experience of managing restricted donor funding and supporting ongoing donor management (e.g. government funding and/or funding from other institutions, trusts foundations or corporate entities)

· Personal and effective relationship builder with high emotional intelligence to nurture trust and respect in all relationships.

· Motivation, flexibility and resilience to navigate unforeseen challenges and collaborate effectively.

· Analytical thinker with the ability to see the bigger picture and make appropriate and effective decisions.

· An understanding or lived experience of social injustice, and proven track record of working in alignment with Comic Relief’s commitment to social justice, anti-racism, diversity, inclusion and equity

Desirable criteria 

· Experience with or knowledge of decolonising philanthropy and the wider funding sector

· Understanding of, and commitment to, the use of storytelling to engage the public in programmatic work

· Experience of budget management

Perks and benefits:

· Flexible working hours

· Work from home option

· Life Insurance

· Wellness programs

· Employee Assistance Programme

· Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

· Paid emergency leave

· Sabbatical Opportunities

· Professional development

· Mentoring/coaching

· Paid volunteer days

· Payroll giving

· Salary sacrifice

· Team social events

· Extracurricular clubs

· Cycle to work scheme

· Free fruit

To apply please visit our website via the link and apply online.

Comic Relief reserves the right to close the role early if a large number of applications are received.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Comic Relief we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why work at Comic Relief

There are lots of good reasons to join us at Comic Relief. You can read more about our employee benefits, such as our commitment to flexible and hybrid working. We ask staff to come to the office twice a week, normally on agreed team days, so that we can do all those things that are difficult to do online. Our office is based in Whitechapel, London,

There are lots of opportunities to develop your skills and experience at Comic Relief, including opportunities to become a Mental Health First Aider or to participate in our Employee Network Groups that focus on making Comic Relief a more inclusive place to work.

Disability Confident Employer

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we take positive action by providing first-round interviews to candidates who have a registered disability, provided they meet the minimum criteria for the role, as demonstrated on their CV and application questions.

We ask that candidates that wish to be considered for this scheme email us via our website to discuss further. Please do not email CV's/cover letters.

Our client is a leading independent funder.  They aim to improve the natural world, secure a fairer future and strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK.  They provide c.£50million annually in grants to organisations working towards their aims. They also have an allocation of £60 million for social investment and a £10m impact investment allocation, alongside their£1.3bn endowment.

The foundation’s strategy is underpinned by the need to tackle structural inequality, racism and the causes and impacts of climate change.They believe that we need bold action and impact like never before, so as well as funding brilliant organisations, they we will work alongside partners and collaborators to remove barriers and secure progress, using their voice to quietly influence and effect change. 

Prospectus is delighted to be working with the foundation to recruit a Funding Manager for their Creative, Confident Communities (CCC) strategic aim, which focuses on communities connected by ‘place’. Through this programme, they are working towards places where communities can fulfil their creative, human, and economic potential.  

The role:
This role will work within the Creative, Confident Communities Team in making a significant contribution to the delivery of the foundation’s strategy, specifically focused on place-based and community-led change across the UK. The primary aim of this role is to bring grant-making expertise and knowledge to add capacity to the team moving forward.

This is a unique opportunity to work with and support a range of organisations, initiatives and projects that are seeking to create place-based change, working with communities across the UK to achieve this. The foundation has independence, resources and influence that enable them to move at pace and make a positive difference for people and communities in the UK. They have ambition and an appetite for risk, to try new things and work with new and unusual partnerships to deliver their aims. A key question that guides the foundation’s work and action is “what more can we do?” – the foundation is looking for someone to join them and contribute to answering that question.

This will include identifying and building a pipeline of relevant activities aimed at delivering on the aims and objectives of the programme. This is a very relational role with emphasis on building and brokering collaborations, attending webinars, forums and conferences to further harness sector learning relevant to the aims of CCC. 

The role is full-time and candidates looking to work 0.8 full-time will also be considered.  At present, the foundation has a hybrid approach to working and the candidate will work from the Kings Cross office two or three days per week – these will include Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Occasional UK travel will be required, which may include an overnight stay.

The person:
The successful candidate will have substantial grant-making experience and will ideally have gained this within a community driven Funder or Grant-maker in the UK. An environment where the core objectives of the CCC programme are very apparent and the knowledge and understanding is there to bring to the table.

A deep understanding of the challenges faced by communities and places across the UK is essential and having hands-on experience of tackling these issues will be very valuable to this role. Being thoughtful, analytical and inquisitive, the role requires advance problem solving and synthesising sometimes quite complex information and delivering to a wide range of audiences in digestible and concise communication.

Collaboration is key to success in this role and evidence of having worked in close knit and very busy team in connected areas of work will be important in addition to being able to work independently and to manage your own time will be important.

The foundation believes that a greater diversity of views, skills, and lived experience will help generate better ideas, and will lead to better decision making.  Learn more about the Foundation’s values and how they work. We want to encourage applicants with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.  We're particularly keen to hear from those with those with lived experience of racial inequity, disability, or poverty.

First stage interview:
Thursday 23rd April (Virtual)
Second stage interview:
Tuesday 28th April (in person) (PM)

As a specialist Recruitment Practice, we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.