Grant writer jobs

The Society of Authors (SoA) is the UK's largest trade union for all types of writers, illustrators and literary translators. We’ve been advising authors and speaking out for the profession since 1884. 

We’re currently looking to welcome a Finance Manager to our team.

The role

The Finance Manager leads on the operational management of the finance function to ensure there are robust financial controls, effective reporting and efficient day-to-day financial operations across the organisation, including our ancillary charities and literary estates. The postholder is expected to foster excellent working relationships across the organisation with all staff, member volunteers, senior colleagues, board members and charity trustees.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operations Officer, the Finance Manager has significant responsibility for:

· Management accounts and reporting

· Budgeting and forecasting

· Cashflow oversight

· Audit and compliance

· Financial controls and process improvement

· Operational financial analysis

Responsibilities

Day-to-day financial management 

• Manage the day-to-day finances for the organisation. Ensuring all aspects of the financial systems are accurate and kept updated including banking and sales and purchase ledgers.
• Manage the finances for our 14 charities. Ensure all aspects of the financial systems are kept updated.
• Undertake monthly reconciliations ensuring all transactions are properly and efficiently recorded.
• Prepare quarterly VAT returns for the organisation including the partial VAT exemption calculation.
• Oversee the management and appropriate allocation of any restricted funds for the charities ensuring that monies are allocated as per donor wishes or grant specifications.
• Prepare any ad hoc budget request and figures for other departments or the management.
• Regularly review and maintain financial policies and procedures.
• Support with funding bids and reports for donors and grant-making bodies.

Budget process management

• Work closely with the Chief Operating Officer on preparing the annual budgets for the organisation and our ancillary charities.
• Prepare quarterly figures for review, explaining any variation from budgeted figures.
• Monitor the actual spend against budgets for all the charities.

· Ensure adequate cash flow to meet the needs of the organisation and our charities in consultation with the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Charities.

• Work closely with all Departmental Heads to ensure they fully understand their budgets and ongoing organisational performance against budget. 

Statutory reporting

• Assist the Chief Operating Officer with the preparation of the organisation’s accounts.
• One of the main points of liaison with the external auditors, ensuring all supporting papers are collated for an efficient and effective annual audit to take place.
• Maintain fixed asset register and inventory of all equipment contracts and agreements.
• Ensure adequate controls are in place to safeguard the financial assets of the organisation.
• Lead on preparing all our charity accounts.
• Assist the COO to ensure the organisation and its ancillary charities are compliant with statutory bodies and external institutions including:

o Companies House

o Certification office

o Charity Commission

o HMRC

o  All banks and payment processors

Financial risk management

• Work with the Chief Operating Officer to ensure that the appropriate processes are in place for the long-term financial viability of the organisation.
• Develop, update and produce long-term cashflow forecasts for both the organisation and our ancillary charities.

· Ensure appropriate financial risk management techniques and controls are in place at strategic and operational levels. 

Governance support to the Finance Sub-Committee and Charity Trustees

• Assist in the preparation of all associated papers and minutes for the Finance Sub- Committee.
• Assist the Chief Operating Officer in preparing papers for Board and Charity Trustees.

 The duties above outline the broad areas of responsibility. The SoA reserves the right to vary these duties to suit the requirements of the business.

 Person specification

Essential

• Minimum part-qualified accountant or qualified by experience with strong financial management experience, with an ability to understand the practical impact of finance decisions and processes across the organisation.

· Strong IT skills including the Microsoft Office suite, in particular Excel, and experience of using databases. 

• Experience of using Sage 50 Cloud Accounts.
• Significant experience and confidence in managing a full range of finance operations in a small or medium sized organisation in the not-for-profit sector.
• Confident presenting financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Demonstrates excellent attention to detail, organisation and communication skills.

· Resilience in working under pressure, ability, and willingness to both give and take constructive feedback. 

· Bring ideas for improvements and is open and honest in all communications where relevant and appropriate. 

• Ability to work with the Chief Operating Officer to develop the formulation of long-term financial plans and strategies for the society and its ancillary charities.

Desirable Skills

· Specialist knowledge of Charities, including Charity SORP guidance and procedures, underpinned by strong theoretical knowledge and practical experience. 

· Experience of working for a trade onion or a membership organisation.

· Tax and charities law, including a good understanding of partially exempt VAT status.

 What we offer

As a progressive and ethical not-for-profit organisation, we offer a range of benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. We are a London Living Wage and a Disability Confident – Committed employer.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Death-in-service benefit (8 x salary)
• Employee assistance programme
• Flexible, hybrid working practices.
• Family-friendly, disability-confident inclusive culture
• Generous annual leave, including all bank holidays.
• Salary exchange pension scheme
• Interest-free annual travel card loan
• *Office closure over Christmas
• Private healthcare

*Colleagues can work over the Christmas period, although the building is closed. For those who wish to take additional time off, colleagues take these days from their annual leave allowance.

As an employer, we nurture a working environment in which staff can grow and develop. We recognise the value of flexibility in the way we work with a positive culture of hybrid working practices.

Inclusion, diversity, and representation are at the core of our values, and we work to tackle structural discrimination and prejudice. Part of this commitment means that we are looking to increase diversity in our organisation at all levels. We strongly encourage applications from a broad range of social, cultural, educational, and underrepresented backgrounds

About The Advocacy Project

We help people speak up and make decisions about their health, wellbeing and social care. We’re here to make sure people who are vulnerable because of their circumstance can understand their rights, make effective choices about their lives and voice their concerns.

Some of the ways we do this include:

· advocacy services that make sure people can express their wishes when decisions are being made about their care or wellbeing

· user involvement projects that help organisations improve what they offer by listening to people who use their services

· local Healthwatch services, which act as health and social care champions for the areas they serve and give people a direct channel to share their feedback

Our services are independent, confidential, and free to those receiving them. Together, our teams are standing up for essential rights and supporting people to have a say on the issues that matter to them.

About the role

We are seeking a skilled Bid Writer to work alongside our Head of Business Development to secure vital funding through tenders and trusts and foundations. If you have experience of winning income for front line services (especially advocacy), we would be particularly delighted to hear from you.

Key responsibilities

î  Identify pipeline tenders.

î  Manage and write tender submission

î  Produce highly quality proposals for trusts and foundations working closely with staff and service users

î  Produce best practice toolkit

î  Manage funder communications and reporting.

î  Assist with other funding applications as required

Experience and skills

î  Proven success as a bid writer in the charity sector.

î  Ideally experience in Advocacy or user involvement

î   Proven experience with large grants, tenders, and government contracts.

î  Highly IT proficient with experience of using AI to support in bid preparation

î  Ability to work collaboratively

î  Be highly organised and self-motivated with a proven ability to work to tight deadlines

î  Proactive, dynamic, able to work effectively independently

î  Strong writing, research, and communication skills.

î  Knowledge of fundraising regulations, GDPR, and best practices.

î  Strong understanding of EDI principles and how to apply them in your work

Benefits of working for us

We’re committed to providing an empowering, flexible and supportive working environment for all our staff.

Our employee benefits include 30 days annual leave (including up to 3 days between Christmas and New Year), participation in a pension scheme with 6% employer contribution, access to a free confidential counselling service, and an interest-free travel/bike loan.

All our staff are supported to learn and develop in a variety of ways, including a monthly lecture series where we invite sector experts to talk to our staff on topical issues.

We are a Disability Confident and Mindful Employer.

Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Manager

We are seeking an experienced Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Manager to secure vital funding and help drive the growth of an ambitious charity supporting people affected by serious health conditions.

Position: Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Manager
Salary: £32,000 - £38,000 per annum pro rata, depending on experience
Location: Leeds office, hybrid or remote working available
Hours: Part-time, 2-3 days per week (negotiable)
Contract: Permanent. Contract or freelance arrangements may also be considered.
Closing Date: 11th July

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced trusts fundraiser to join a well-established charity with a strong track record of grant funding success.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will lead on securing income from trusts and foundations, while also identifying opportunities from corporate and statutory funders where appropriate. You will manage existing funder relationships, develop new prospects and create compelling applications that support both project delivery and core organisational costs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing a trusts and foundations fundraising strategy
• Writing persuasive funding applications and impact reports
• Managing a portfolio of existing and prospective funders
• Building and maintaining strong funder relationships
• Researching and identifying new funding opportunities
• Working with colleagues to align funding opportunities with organisational priorities
• Monitoring fundraising performance and providing reporting and analysis
• Ensuring fundraising activities meet relevant regulations and best practice standards

About You

You will have proven experience securing funding from trusts and foundations and be confident managing a varied portfolio of funders.

You will also have:

• A successful track record in trusts and foundations fundraising
• Excellent proposal and report writing skills
• Strong research and prospecting abilities
• Experience building and managing funder relationships
• Excellent organisational and project management skills
• Experience using CRM systems to support fundraising activity
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities

Knowledge of the healthcare or charity sector would be advantageous.

About the Organisation

This charity supports people with brain tumours and their families. They help individuals navigate the healthcare system, offer emotional and practical support, and drive campaigns and awareness. From solo ocean rowers to children raising thousands, their community of fundraisers is extraordinary and we’re looking for someone just as exceptional to support them.

The employer aims to be an equal opportunities organisation and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Trust Fundraising Manager, Trusts Fundraiser, Grants Manager, Grants Fundraising Manager, Philanthropy Manager, Funding Manager, Fundraising Manager, Trusts and Grants Manager, Bid Writer, Development Manager. #INDNFP

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People. Applications will be reviewed on receipt and the organisation reserves the right to close the vacancy early should a suitable candidate be appointed.