Grants and Community Manager

An opportunity has arisen for a Grants and Community Manager. This role is a key position in leading our grants programme and representing the Trust across the local voluntary and charitable sectors. Duties include -

Collaborate with the Grants Committee across funding rounds by managing ad hoc grant applications, assessing eligibility against agreed funding criteria, conducting due diligence, and preparing accurate information to support informed and effective committee decision-making.

Undertake assessment visits to grant applicants, develop funding and monitoring schedules, assess interim and final grant reports, and monitor grant compliance by ensuring funding conditions and reporting deadlines are met.

Build and maintain strong relationships with our strategic funding partners to ensure multi-year funding is allocated effectively, delivering value for money and maximising impact.

Oversee the awarding of The Stan Newens Bursary every 2 years, from application submission through to award and end of grant.

Work closely with the health and wellbeing board, grant providers and the community and voluntary sector providing a professional service to ensure they are informed about local issues; have the necessary information they need to make funding decisions and help them to understand our Grant making Policy.

Identify funding priorities and areas of need, where applicable, with a particular focus on community and voluntary organisations based in Harlow, while also extending support across West Essex and East Hertfordshire; arrange and attend meetings including at voluntary sector forums, keep accurate records, take minutes as required, provide health data and information analytics and stay informed about changes and issues affecting the community and voluntary sector.

Support the management of our grant making, working closely with other members of the team to establish and implement administrative procedures. This will include review and amendment of grants documentation including policy and guidelines, eligibility criteria, funding agreements and monitoring evaluation reports.

Prepare agendas, record minutes, document actions and decisions taken at monthly Grants Committee meetings.

Assist the Grants Chair in accurately reporting grants updates to the Board of Trustees, and at AGM.

Manage the annual grants budget by ensuring funds are allocated proportionately across the appropriate funding categories and that payment schedules are in place.

Communicate and promote the impact and added value of grant awards to trustees, grant partners, and the wider community and voluntary sector by supporting Grants Committee activities, assisting at events, and identifying compelling grant stories that enhance the profile of HHCT and showcase the outcomes of our funding.

Build trust-based relationships with local voluntary organisations, social enterprises, and community leaders.

Explain the grant process by hosting workshops, Q&A sessions, and providing pre-application support to grassroots groups.

Proactively identify funding gaps by mapping community needs.

Ensure grants programme information for applicants is widely publicised and accurate.

Attend events, meetings and presentations, some of which may fall outside of regular office hours, as required.

Support audits relating to grant making processes.

Liaise with legal partners as required on matters related to grant making.

To accept other responsibilities and activities that may present themselves, subject to additional duties and responsibilities falling within the experience and remit of the post.

Manage and maintain social media platforms, creating engaging and relevant content. To also include updating and maintaining website content.