Head of public sector membership programmes jobs in edinburgh, scotland

Over the last four years, the current Head of Funding & Partnerships has secured over £10m from trusts, foundations and housing associations to help HACT deliver its charitable purpose. In the next three years, our objective is to increase this amount. We want to hear from you if you believe you can support HACT deliver on our ambition. 

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Head of Funding and Partnershipsis a key member of HACT’s Leadership Team and leads the organisation’s business development, tendering and fundraising function. As part of the management tier, the role is responsible for scaling HACT’s impact across and beyond the housing sector through innovative commercial approaches, strategic fundraising, and exceptional customer relationships.

This position combines fundraising expertise, partnership building, developing and maintaining high-value relationships with funders, partners, and clients, as well as market intelligence. It identifies new opportunities for R&D development, pipeline growth, product sales and tender submissions while managing core business development activities that support HACT’s strategy.

The Head of Funding and Partnerships creates and executes annual fundraising and commercial plans, fosters collaborative relationships across the organisation, and embodies HACT’s values through transparent, supportive leadership. From time to time, the role presents to the Trustee Board and provides strategic advice and leadership to the executive team.

JOB PURPOSE

To lead HACT's fundraising, tendering and business development function, delivering ambitious fundraising targets while providing strategic market insights that drive organisational growth and innovation.

Responsibilities

Strategic fundraising leadership

• Create and deliver a fundraising strategy aligned with HACT's business strategy and ambitious growth target, with annual and multi-year targets
• ·Identify new funding opportunities through market research, relationship building, and strategic intelligence
• Lead the development of high-quality tender responses and proposals
• Maintain a register of frameworks and procurement opportunities aligned to HACT’s strategic priorities
• Oversee the production of high-quality client proposals within agreed deadlines, ensuring compelling cases for support

Partnership building:

• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate sponsors, foundations, and other organisations to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Manage existing funder relationships to ensure satisfaction, retention, and growth of funding commitments
• Support cross-sector collaborations, innovation pilots and consortium funding bids.

Market intelligence & business development

• Contribute to organisational strategy development through participation in Leadership Team activities
• Proactively identify collaboration and innovation opportunities, supporting business growth and diversification
• Provide market insights that enable R&D development, supporting innovation and new service creation and market analysis to support pipeline growth in new markets and enhance existing product sales
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify emerging trends and opportunities in the housing and social value sectors
• Contribute to strategic decision-making through robust market intelligence and competitive analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

• Work closely with the Head of Communities and Projects to ensure project delivery meets funder expectations, leading on managing key grant funding relationships
• Work closely with the Head of Marketing to align fundraising and marketing strategies for maximum impact
• Work closely with the Head of Services to create proposals that maximise income opportunities
• Work closely with Head of Customer to identify commercial opportunities and enhance service delivery, using insights form Social Value Insight to strengthen funding propositions.
• Work with the Head of Business Functions to develop commercial pricing and funding models and ensure compliance with due diligence and funder requests.
• Support colleagues across the organisation by providing proposal support, market insights and funding intelligence

Team leadership & operational excellence

• Line manage and develop the Funding and Insights Officer, providing coaching, guidance, and performance management
• Develop and implement Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for proposals and grant applications to ensure consistency and quality
• Establish accessible, reliable management information systems to track performance and inform decision-making
• Ensure efficient processes and systems that support high-quality proposal development, tender submissions and relationship management
• Leverage AI tools and platforms to enhance business development processes
• Champion the adoption of AI-enabled solutions to improve productivity, personalise engagement strategies, and uncover new opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

Strategic leadership & culture

• Actively model HACT's values and behaviours by consistently demonstrating supportive, transparent and collaborative leadership
• Contribute to an inclusive and respectful organisational culture through positive leadership and team engagement
• Lead by example as a key member of HACT's Leadership Team, embodying our values across all internal and external relationships
• Champion cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing to maximise organisational effectiveness

REQUIRED SKILLS

Experience & skills

• Proven track record in senior fundraising roles, with demonstrated success in securing and managing significant grants from charitable foundations, government, and other funding bodies
• Demonstrated success in proposal writing, developing tenders and commercial bids
• Strong background in business development and market research, ideally within the charitable or public sector
• Experience in relationship management with high-value stakeholders and complex funding organisations
• Strong communication, influencing and project management capabilities
• Demonstrated ability to create and deliver strategic fundraising plans aligned with organisational objectives
• Strategic thinking ability combined with practical execution and attention to detail
• Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic funding environment.
• Knowledge of the social housing sector (desirable).
• Ability to identify and apply AI-driven tools to enhance business development activities and using AI to streamline workflows, personalise engagement strategies and uncover new growth opportunities.

Knowledge & understanding

• Deep understanding of the UK funding landscape, including charitable foundations, government funding streams, public procurement frameworks and social investment
• Knowledge of the housing sector, social value, or community development preferred
• Understanding of R&D funding mechanisms and innovation support programmes
• Familiarity with grant management processes and funder compliance requirements
• Knowledge of market research methodologies and competitive intelligence gathering

Personal qualities

• Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills with ability to engage stakeholders at all levels
• Strategic mindset with ability to identify opportunities and translate them into actionable plans
• Strong communication and influencing skills, both written and verbal
• Collaborative leadership style that embodies transparency, respect, and inclusivity
• Excellent project management and prioritisation skills with ability to manage multiple complex workstreams
• Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic funding environment
• Passion for HACT's mission and commitment to social impact in the housing sector

Technical competencies

• Proficiency in CRM systems and database management for relationship tracking (ideally HubSpot or Salesforce)
• Advanced skills in proposal writing, bid development, and presentation creation
• Experience with project management tools and budget management systems
• Understanding of due diligence processes and compliance requirements
• Knowledge of social impact measurement and evaluation frameworks

Desirable requirements

• Professional qualifications in fundraising (IoF membership) or business development
• Experience working in or with housing associations, local authorities, or social housing sector
• Knowledge of social value frameworks and impact investment principles
• Experience in managing EU or international funding programmes
• Understanding of research and development processes in policy or practice areas

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Leads the successful delivery of strategic fundraising and business development projects, ensuring high-quality outputs, stakeholder engagement, and funder satisfaction.
• Secures project funding through strategic relationship-building, proposal development, and targeted fundraising activities.
• Develops and maintains accessible management information systems to support .
• Implements service level agreements (SLAs) for proposals to ensure consistent quality and timely delivery across grant applications and business development outputs.
• Builds new relationships with charitable funders while sustaining and growing existing partnerships to diversify income streams.
• Embeds HACT’s values through inclusive leadership, fostering a collaborative culture and modelling best practice across the organisation.

Employees are also expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities attached to their post and may be asked to perform other duties that are consistent with the grade, responsibilities, and typical scope of the role. Any additional tasks should remain appropriate to the nature of the post and not extend into unrelated functions or specialisms.

All employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s values and behavioural standards, which include being supportive, transparent, respectful, kind, honest, and collaborative. This means fostering a culture of empathy, openness, integrity, and teamwork in all interactions, and contributing positively to the organisation’s mission and strategic objectives.

ABOUT HACT

Innovation. Collaboration. Insights.

It’s what we’ve always done.

As the charity of the social housing sector, these are the core values that have driven the transformation and development of housing providers for over 60 years.

We believe the provision of housing is about more than just bricks and mortar – it’s about enhancing peoples’ lives.

By partnering with organisations across the housing sector, we drive value for residents and communities through insight-led products and services which encourage innovation and foster collaboration.

This position is currently based remotely with the occasional day in the London office and travel to UK based events as required.

To apply for this role, please share your CV with a one-page cover letter setting out why this role appeals to you and how your skills and experiences meet the key skills points in the job description.

Interviews expected to take place on week commencing the 15th December. 

Job title: Fundraising and Grants Manager
Location: Remote/ Home-based in the UK within 90 minutes travel of Central London with occasional national and international travel.
Salary: £42-45k. Contract: Full-time, 1-year contract (with possibility of extension dependent on continuation of funding). You should be available to start in February 2026

The Fundraising and Grants Manager will play a pivotal role in supporting the implementation of WeProtect Global Alliance’s 2026–2029 Investment Strategy. You will lead the day-to-day management of our multi-donor grants portfolio, ensuring that donor obligations are met and that grant and financial management systems are robust, efficient, and compliant.

Working closely with the Head of Development and colleagues across the Secretariat, you will contribute to donor stewardship, ensure timely and accurate reporting, and support the development of new and renewed funding opportunities with governments, multilateral institutions, foundations, and private donors.

We are seeking a highly organised and values-driven professional with proven experience managing complex donor-funded grants. You will bring financial and operational acumen, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a small, fast-paced, remote-working team. Above all, you will demonstrate a genuine commitment to child protection and to WeProtect Global Alliance’s 

Deadline: 19:00 (GMT), Monday 24 November 2025 

First Interviews: Week commencing 8th December 2025

Second Interviews: Week commencing 15th December 2025.

Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the existing right to work in the UK at the time of application.

JOB PROFILE

JOB TITLE: Lead Trusts & Grants Officer

RESPONSIBLE TO: Senior Trusts & Grants Manager

HOURS OF WORK: Full time 35 hours per week

LOCATION: Home working/ Hybrid

DURATION: Permanent

SALARY / GRADE: £32,330

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Senior Trusts & Grants Manager

• Trusts & Grants Officer

• Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications

• Chief Operating Officer

• Senior Leadership & Service Managers

• Grant making trusts and foundations

• Major Donors

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Lead Trusts & Grants Officer is responsible for developing and delivering income from mid-value grant making funders, notably trusts and foundations. The role involves managing a dedicated pipeline of opportunities, writing and submitting compelling applications, and stewarding funder relationships. This position works closely with service teams to understand project needs and create accurate budgets and impactful funding proposals. This role will also provide direct line management to the Trusts & Grants Officer, supporting their professional development and ensuring the team's overall success in meeting fundraising targets.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising and Grants Management

• Pipeline Management: Lead on prospecting, developing and managing the mid-value trusts and grants pipeline, focusing on bids around £20,000 - £70,000, including multiyear grants, ensuring a consistent flow of opportunities to meet team income targets. Developing the skills and ability to manage higher value and more complex strategic bids.

• Application Writing: Develop and submit compelling, high-quality grant applications and proposals for mid-value funders, working closely with service teams, ensuring accurate budgets and income against Adoption UK’s strategic priorities.

• Stewardship: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with a portfolio of new and existing mid-value funders, providing timely and impactful reports to secure renewed funding, and developing relationships with key external contacts through excellent communication.

• Reporting: Oversee the accurate tracking of all applications, reports, and communications using team tracking methods, and the CRM database, providing regular progress updates to the Senior Trusts & Grants Manager.

• Collaboration: Work closely with the Senior Trusts & Grants Manager, the Trusts & Grants Officer, and service teams, to align fundraising activities with the organisation’s strategic priorities and annual income targets.

• Undertake other duties and projects as directed by the Senior Trusts & Grants Manager and Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications.

Team Management and Development

• Line Management: Provide line management and support to the Trusts & Grants Officer, including regular one-to-ones, appraisals, and professional development.

• Training and Mentoring: Guide the Trusts & Grants Officer on best practices for researching, writing, budgets, and stewarding of small-value grants.

Personal specification

Knowledge and experience

• Track record of successfully securing individual grant awards typically ranging between £10,000 and £50,000. (E)

• Knowledge of fundraising sector with specialist knowledge of grant making trusts and foundations, or similar grant/bid-writing experience (E)

• Experience in writing persuasive proposal documents and bids (E)

• Experience in developing and implementing fundraising policies and process to deliver strategic goals (E)

• Experience in supporting service teams to deliver complex projects on time and to budget (E)

• Experience in successfully stewarding multiple stakeholders including grant managers and major donors (D)

Qualifications and Education

• Graduate level or equivalent significant professional experience in fundraising/bid

Skills and abilities

• Ability to make decisions within area of responsibility, based on defined frameworks, policies, and procedures and/or based on knowledge of regulations and best practice (E)

• Shows good professional judgement (E)

• Can successfully operate matrix management of complex projects at a national level (E)

• Delivers high quality work with minimal supervision and direction (E)

• Able to communicate clearly and engage with stakeholders at all levels (E)

• Is successful in securing positive external relationships with stakeholders and supporters (E)

• Demonstrates personal credibility (E)

• Demonstrates experience and ability in impact reporting (D)

• Ability to research the sector to identify the best prospects (D)

• Has the capacity to deal with complex issues and is good at problem solving (D)

• An exceptional administrator with excellent organisational and writing skills (E)

• Self-starter, used to working to deadlines and delivering against KPIs (D)

Accountability

• Shows previous experience of achievement of income targets (E)

• Shows previous experience of excellent funder or similar relationship stewardship (E)

• Able to contribute to the development of income growth strategy and strategic goals (D)

Behaviours

• Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values and mission in all interactions with external stakeholders.

• Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.

• Contributes to an open and honest culture

• Encourages challenge and creativity, transparency and consistency.

• Leads by example.

• Offers outstanding service to members.

• Promotes cross-functional team working, sharing skills and knowledge

• Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.

• Values the opinion of others. Treating colleagues and other stakeholders with respect.

• Takes pride in own development, committed to achieving high standards and agreed objectives.