Senior programme manager jobs

We are looking for a highly motivated and organised individual with the ability to manage teams, build strategic relationships with employers to grow the Living Wage network, and develop projects that will grow our accreditations schemes and proactively influence change across a broad range of stakeholders in public life.

• Develop and deliver strategies, working collaboratively across the organisation.

• Direct a team and line manage multiple staff and freelancers, supporting them to deliver projects and contribute to the LWF business plan.

• Monitor and evaluate the impact of our work to refine our strategy, deliver projects effectively and demonstrate the value of the real Living Wage.

• Clearly communicate the evidence for positive change to grow the Living Wage movement. Encourage employers and key stakeholders to become champions of the Living Wage movement.

• Oversee accreditation processes, identify and implement improvements to make our work more efficient.

• Build and manage relationships with key stakeholders, policy makers and employers to support them to pay the real Living Wage and seek accreditation.

• Create, develop and employ the tools and knowledge available to inform and advise employers on implementing the Living Wage throughout their organisation.

About Epic

Epic is a dynamic and forward-thinking international foundation, committed to drive positive change globally and transform the lives of vulnerable communities around the world. It serves as a bridge between those on the ground, nonprofits forging solutions to today’s most pressing challenges, and the donors – individual and corporate – who are essential to fueling that work. We find, select and monitor nonprofit organizations who design and implement essential solutions to transform the lives of children and youth, and protect our planet for generations to come. We are an advocate of “smart-giving”, meaning all of our funding is unrestricted, multi-year and substantial. Since our creation in 2015, Epic has mobilized over 100 million dollars in unrestricted funding,  supporting 57 organizations in 11 countries in the world.

Position Overview:

Epic is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our Programs team to manage relationships and grants of nonprofits in our portfolio, and monitor and support their work over time. In particular, this role will lead the development and management  of a learning community to support our grantees and alumni beyond our financial support. 

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in nonprofit strategy and/or social entrepreneurship, experience in designing and facilitating peer learning and capacity-building initiatives, and a deep passion for social impact and strategic philanthropy.

The Senior Programs Manager will work under the supervision of the Programs Director and they will be part of a growing team with colleagues in London and Paris.

Epic will provide a friendly working environment as well as good opportunities for professional growth and network building. This is a unique chance to join an innovative organization dedicated to achieving social impact and changing the philanthropic sector.

Key responsibilities: 

• Manage the relationship and continuous monitoring of portfolio organizations. This involves acting as the point of contact for a portion of the portfolio's organizations, including reviewing and analyzing monitoring data and supporting grant-making processes. .

• Develop, promote and manage a program made up of initiatives and practices that contribute to the organizational development and growth of nonprofits. This would include developing capacity building initiatives and facilitating peer learning spaces responding to grantees’ needs.

• Contribute to the selection of strong organizations for the Epic portfolio. This will notably involve conducting due diligence following Epic's framework, reviewing processes and documents, conducting interviews with candidate organizations, and carrying out selection visits.

• Contribute to the development and management of effective partnerships for Epic's programs (e.g., sourcing partners for selection, pro bono partners for capacity building, etc.) and identify collaboration opportunities.

• Work with the Programs team to implement systems and processes to evaluate the impact of Epic's programs worldwide and contribute to demonstrating the value of unrestricted funding.

• Contribute to Epic's research program and knowledge management (reports, case studies, analysis of trends and developments in the philanthropy field) and help develop Epic's thought leadership and reputation as a key player in the philanthropic sector on smart-giving.

• Facilitate and liaise with other teams within the foundation, to keep portfolio organizations' data, analysis and information up to date to support its relationships with donors and target audiences.

• Participate in the development and execution of the Programs team's strategy, in alignment with Epic's mission, values, and organizational objectives.

• Collaborate with other Epic teams to develop internal and external knowledge management and promote the work of portfolio organizations and the Programs team.

• Any other duties that may be assigned within the scope of the role.

Required  skills and qualifications:

• Right to work in France or the United Kingdom (Epic is not able to sponsor visas)

• 7+  years experience in non-profit organisational development and programs and / or philanthropy strategy and grant-making.

• Technical expertise in one or more of Epic’s key priorities (i.e.: social entrepreneurship, social impact evaluation, youth empowerment and trust-based philanthropy).

• Previous experience and knowledge of appropriate tools and methodologies to build capacity and learning processes for organisational development and scaling social impact.

• Expertise of working with relevant IT, such as CRM systems and project management tools. In particular familiarity of working with AI, to help enhance efficiency, learning and analysis. 

• Strong understanding and expertise in nonprofit management, design, and impact analysis and the ability to assess a nonprofit across impact, operations and governance. 

• Strong analytical and evaluative skills, especially analyzing data and research - both qualitative and quantitative - and specifically those related to programmatic monitoring, impact assessment and learning.

• Strong facilitation skills and ability to navigate complex  power dynamics and multi-stakeholder spaces.

• Strong writing skills and ability to communicate effectively (written and orally) to diverse audiences in English (and French desired).

• Experience of working in a lean and entrepreneurial organization with a high degree of self management; strong project management skills and ability to manage a high-volume workload at a fast pace.

Desired Skills

• Experience and understanding of key challenges and opportunities faced today by social entrepreneurs, especially around scaling and growth ambitions 

• Technical experience in developing and implementing internal systems geared towards impact assessment, evaluation and learning

• Understanding of best practices in the philanthropic sector and strategies for supporting social impact and trust-based giving. 

Recruitment Process

Please note that interviews will be conducted in English.

1. First stage panel interview 

2. Written Test

3. Second stage panel interview 

4. Interview with the Chief Operating Officer

5. Interview with the Founder and CEO

Contract Details (UK only)

• Position based in central London (Mayfair), UK (with option to work from home 2 days per week).

• Contract type: Permanent, full-time

• Salary range: £50-60k depending on experience

• Start date: As soon as possible but within 2 months of the offer

Employee Benefits 

• Flexible Work Arrangements: Up to 2 days remote working per week.

• 5 weeks (25 days) of paid holiday annually, not including bank holidays, with additional office closure between Christmas and New Year. 

• Access to private healthcare coverage through our healthcare partner, BUPA, fully covered by Epic for the employee and 50% coverage for partner and/or dependents. 

• Retirement Savings Plan: Enrolling in a company-sponsored retirement savings plan with employer contributions.

• £150 culture/sport allowance per year for all eligible staff on a permanent contract and who have successfully completed their trial period.

• Epic subsidizes 50% of the cost of weekly, monthly, or annual local transportation passes (London Underground and London Buses).

• A monthly tax-free homeworking contribution in the amount of £26 per month for all eligible staff on a permanent contract and who have successfully completed their trial period.

• Workplace Amenities: Access to modern workplace amenities: onsite kitchen and snacks, and recreational facilities.

How to Apply (for UK): 

Please use charity Job to submit a copy of your CV and a cover letter. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. 

Epic is dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities in employment. We hire based on merit, and all candidates will be considered for employment regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. At Epic, we seek individuals who share our passion for what we do, bringing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to collectively make a positive impact.

We are committed to ensuring you have a positive and comfortable experience.