Grants & Commissioning Manager

We are looking for an experienced Grants and Commissioning Manager to join our dynamic Fundraising team.  This role will lead on all our trusts and foundations approaches, playing an integral role in growth and development of the portfolio and work in partnership with the CEO to lead on bids/tenders for commissioned services. It is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of these high value income streams to realise its full potential.

Role Purpose

Responsible for developing and delivering our Fundraising strategies, to secure appropriate funding to ensure the sustainable delivery of high-quality services by Home-Start Essex.

As Grants and Commissioning Manager you will use your experience and skills to identify and lead approaches to trusts, foundations, company foundations, statutory and other organisations securing funding from £5k-£800K+. You will create high quality approaches and deliver against financial targets, proactively supporting opportunities to source income to support children and families within Essex.

The successful candidate will be a self-starter with high levels of motivation, and a skilled writer with the ability to work autonomously and build on the strong foundations we have in place.

Specific Responsibilities

· Lead on delivering key areas of the Grants and Commissioning strategy and operational plan to establish a strong and sustainable funding base and support our growth ambition by delivering income targets year on year.

· To write compelling applications/bids, cases for support and reports, working in collaboration with the Finance Manager, Family Services Manager and Systems and Information Officer and tailoring the information for the audience, ensuring submission within required deadlines.

· Develop first class relationships with the portfolio of existing and new trust funders, commissioning partners, delivering the highest levels of donor care, by always providing excellent stewardship and ensuring all reporting requirements are fully met.

· Lead on horizon scanning for trust funders, creating a prospecting programme for new opportunities to grow the portfolio. Utilising existing networks, specialist funding sites and referrals.

· Lead on researching prospects for commissioned services, seeking opportunities to work in partnership where appropriate through utilising existing networks and procurement/tender platforms.

· Develop processes to be used across Home-Start Essex, to codify our approach to grant management and ensure appropriate escalation points across the organisation.

· Work both independently and with colleagues to develop content for proposal to funders, ensuring information is accurate and compelling, to generate funding for restricted and core work.

· Maintain and develop Home-Start Essex’s case for support templates and support materials, liaising closely with the senior management team and marketing team and adhering to brand guidelines and key messaging.

· Manage the grant/trust fundraising programme via Beacon CRM, developing account management and stewardship activities and maintaining detailed records of all communications.

·  Ensure that successful bids/tenders and grant/trust applications are handed over to the Family Services Manager and Area Lead Co-ordinators with clear milestones, outputs, outcomes and evaluation/reporting requirements via Implementation meetings.

Reporting

· To provide regular activity, income and pipeline updates to the CEO and Finance & Business Development Committee.

· Maintain accurate records of income and restrictions.

· Ensure that progress against KPIs and pipeline is effectively monitored and reported, flagging concerns and developments in good time.

· Ensuring pipeline development by maintaining the database, recording all stewardship actions and communications.

Other duties

· To help at fundraising events from time to time.

· To work closely with other members of the fundraising department to provide data and leads to help them maximise income for the charity.

· Manage resources for the Fundraising team and contribute to budgeting and preparation for financial audits/reviews. 

· To develop an in-depth knowledge of HSE and understanding of HSE’s work.

· To keep up to date with best practice in fundraising and comply with relevant legislation.

· To act as an ambassador for the fundraising department and the charity both internally and externally.

· To undertake any other assignments within the fundraising department and wider organisation as required.

· To develop and implement short, medium and long-term strategic business and funding plans for Home-Start Essex, as part of the senior management team, subject to Board approval. 

 Marketing

Work with the Digital Communications & Marketing team to ensure consistent and co-ordinated approach to the promotion of Home-Start Essex in the following areas:

· Create and distribute press releases to ensure regular and positive promotion of Home-Start Essex.

· Coordinate and schedule key promotional messages to our supporters and the wider public. 

· Ensure branding, language and content for all fundraising communications are in line with the Home-Start Essex’s strategy, vision and values.

This role is part of the Senior Management Team within Home-Start Essex.

Please email us to request a recruitment pack or go to our website to download the recruitment pack, job description and person specification.

Please apply by sending in a covering letter and CV – referring to the job description and person specification in your application.

Relevant candidates will be required to complete further information as part of the recruitment process.

An enhanced DBS check will be required.

If you would like to arrange a confidential discussion about the vacancy, please contact us.

This post is subject to a successful 6-month probationary period.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 10th April 2024

Interviews are scheduled for:  18th/19th April 2024

Home-Start Essex is committed to equality of opportunity and works to safer recruitment practices as an important part of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults.

Our Home-Start Essex Values

Supportive - We will support families to address the challenges of bringing up children themselves. 
Non-judgmental - We do not judge families or measure them against others’ standards.
Approachable - We will be approachable and friendly at all times and develop good relationships with the families we support.
Professional - We will maintain the very highest professional standards.
Collaborative - We will work in partnership with any individual, group or agency who can help us achieve our goals.
Inclusive - We value and celebrate diversity and offer our services to all families, irrespective of their circumstances or backgrounds.
Family-led - We place children and families’ needs at the heart of our work.
Safe - The safety of the families and children we support, and the staff and volunteers we engage, is our highest priority.
Bringing up children can be hard work and all parents and carers will, from time to time, encounter problems which can often make the task even harder.