I’m recruiting on behalf of my longstanding client — a dynamic and forward-thinking Community Interest Company (CIC) — who have an exciting new opportunity for a Funding Manager to join their passionate team. This is a newly created role that offers the chance to make a tangible impact in communities by leading the development and delivery of a significant funding programme. The successful candidate will oversee the full lifecycle of grant-making — from strategy development and stakeholder engagement through to funding allocation, monitoring, impact reporting, and public communications. We’re looking for a strategic, driven, and community-minded professional with a strong background in grant management, social impact, or community development. You’ll be confident working across sectors, building effective partnerships, ensuring robust governance, and driving high-quality outcomes for vulnerable groups. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a difference and has the skills to manage large-scale funding initiatives with integrity and vision. Key Responsibilities Fund Deployment & Governance * Lead annual planning and distribution of CIC funds in line with strategic community goals. * Manage the full governance cycle from internal fund allocation to regulatory reporting. * Run structured, transparent funding competitions, assessing and approving innovative project proposals. * Ensure funds are used ethically, with clear oversight procedures and value-for-money assessments. * Monitor delivery partners to ensure benefits are realised and well-evidenced. Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships * Develop and maintain effective partnerships with organisations that align with the CIC’s mission. * Support collaborative initiatives across sectors such as education, crisis response, health, innovation, or community resilience. * Represent the CIC at events and forums to promote engagement and increase visibility. * Provide constructive feedback to applicants and foster long-term relationships beyond initial funding. Impact Monitoring & Reporting * Design and implement performance monitoring tools to track project outcomes. * Produce high-quality internal and external reports demonstrating the CIC’s social value and effectiveness. * Collect and share case studies, success stories, and insights to support learning and accountability. Communications & Engagement * Collaborate with internal and external communications teams to promote funded projects and their impact. * Ensure regular public updates on fund allocation, outcomes, and community benefits. * Develop accessible and engaging content that showcases the broader value of CIC activities. Person Specification Essential * Proven experience in managing grant programmes, community projects or impact funding. * Strong knowledge of governance, compliance and ethical fund management in a not-for-profit or social enterprise context. * Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills. * Strong organisational and project management capabilities. * Experience in performance measurement and impact reporting. Desirable * Experience delivering funding rounds or competitions. * Familiarity with CIC frameworks and reporting obligations. Key Objectives & KPIs Governance & Fund Delivery * Deliver annual fund distribution aligned with strategic priorities. * Maintain full compliance with CIC governance and regulatory requirements. * Run at least one competitive funding round per year with transparent evaluation processes. Community Engagement & Outcomes * Ensure measurable community benefits from all funded initiatives. * Expand and diversify partnerships with aligned organisations. * Achieve strong visibility and public recognition for funded projects. Sustainability & Strategy * Create a long-term strategy to maximise the social return of reinvested funds while building a replicable portfolio of successful projects to inform future funding cycles. * Strengthen stakeholder engagement and support over time. Additional Information The successful candidate will be expected to operate within relevant equality, customer service and quality standards and display a flexible approach to collaboration and support across organisational priorities. The role involves working with Board subcommittees and external partners to deliver agreed community objectives