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Role Description – Director of Programmes and Partnerships

Our 2030 Strategy sets a clear ambition to invest £30 million in the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in Essex, while strengthening our role as a leading advocate for the sector and for the social and economic value it brings. As the largest independent funder in the county, we are widely recognised as a trusted and influential organisation, working closely with philanthropists and donors to distribute around £4 million in grant funding each year to local organisations.

Essex is entering a period of significant change, shaped by local government reform and devolution. During the development of our 2030 Strategy, the VCS challenged us to be bolder and to take on a stronger advocacy role. In the past 18 months, we have worked with a wide range of partners to articulate the social and economic value of the sector, helping to shape a shared vision for Essex.

Over the coming years, we will continue to develop high-profile strategic programmes and partnerships that align the charitable interests of our fundholders with the needs and aspirations of Essex communities. Our grantmaking insight, data and relationships will inform a proportionate and credible policy and advocacy agenda, ensuring that learning from practice strengthens the wider system and amplifies the voice and value of the VCS.

The Director of Programmes & Partnerships is a pivotal senior leadership role for the Foundation. The postholder will provide strategic leadership of our grantmaking and programme portfolio, build and sustain influential partnerships, and ensure that our funding is impactful, well-governed and responsive. Working closely with the CEO and Senior Management Team, the role will help position the Foundation as a leading funder, convenor and partner, with advocacy and policy activity grounded firmly in delivery, evidence and community experience.

A core focus of the role will be to champion excellent grantmaking practice and to develop strategic partnerships that unlock additional investment, encourage innovation and support long-term change. As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Director of Programmes & Partnerships will play a central role in organisational leadership and external representation, acting as a senior ambassador for the Foundation across Essex and beyond.

Position: Director of Programmes & Partnerships
Responsible To: Chief Executive Officer
Hours: Full-time
Salary: £71,750 (H1)
Role Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Direct Reports: Head of Stewardship, Grants Manager, Policy & Communications Manager

Overall Purpose

  • The Director of Programmes & Partnerships is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering the Foundation’s grantmaking, strategic programmes and partnerships. You will ensure the effective delivery of a busy, high-profile and impactful grant portfolio that aligns community need with the charitable ambitions of fundholders and partners.
  • As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will work closely with the CEO to develop and implement the Foundation’s organisational strategy and business plan, ensuring that grantmaking, programmes and partnerships are well integrated, evidence-led and values-driven.
  • The role provides strategic oversight and leadership of all programme and grantmaking activity, ensuring resources are allocated effectively, governed robustly and designed to achieve meaningful, measurable impact for Essex communities. Alongside this, you will oversee the development of strategic partnerships and programmes that strengthen the voluntary and community sector and attract new investment.
  • Using the Foundation’s insight, data and reputation, the Director of Programmes & Partnerships will identify opportunities for collaborative funding, systems change and innovation, working with public sector bodies, charitable trusts, philanthropists and other partners. The role will act as a senior external representative and ambassador for the Foundation, supporting public engagement, communications and stakeholder relationships.

Key Responsibilities

STRATEGY & BUSINESS PLANNING: Work closely with the CEO and Senior Management Team to develop, implement and review the Foundation’s organisational strategy and business plan to achieve the 2030 Strategy.

    • Provide strategic leadership to ensure that grantmaking, programmes and partnerships are well integrated, evidence-led and values-driven.
    • Ensure the Foundation’s programmes, funding approaches and communications are informed by learning from grantmaking, diverse perspectives, lived experience and community voice.
    • Identify emerging needs, risks and opportunities affecting Essex communities, using grantmaking insight and partner intelligence to inform strategic decision-making.
    • Lead the design, development and delivery of strategic funding programmes and initiatives that respond to identified community needs and advance the Foundation’s strategic priorities.

GRANTMAKING EXCELLENCE: Ensure the effective delivery of a high-profile, high-volume and impactful grant portfolio that aligns community need with the charitable ambitions of fundholders and partners.

    • Provide strategic oversight and leadership of all programme and grantmaking activity in line with the 2030 Strategy, ensuring resources are allocated effectively, governed robustly and designed to achieve meaningful, measurable impact for Essex communities.
    • Work closely with the Director of Finance & Resources, Head of Development, Head of Stewardship, Grants Manager, Communications Manager and colleagues to ensure processes are fair, accessible, proportionate and robust.
    • Oversee the evaluation of the impact of grantmaking, programmes and partnerships, using learning to drive continuous improvement and innovation and to inform practical tools, insights and advice that support policy and practice.
    • Champion excellent grantmaking practice, including the use of data, insight and evaluation to inform funding decisions, demonstrate impact and strengthen confidence among donors and partners.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: Oversee the development of strategic partnerships and programmes that strengthen the voluntary and community sector and attract new investment.

    • Develop and manage high-quality strategic partnerships with funders, public sector bodies, trusts, foundations and other agencies to increase investment, align resources and support collaborative approaches to social challenges.
    • Act as a senior external representative and ambassador for the Foundation among local, regional and national stakeholders to strengthen and enhance the Foundation’s reputation and profile as a leading funder and strategic partner.
    • Build and sustain strong relationships with voluntary and community organisations, fundholders, donors, policy contacts and strategic partners to ensure funding approaches remain responsive, trusted and impactful.

ADVOCACY & STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS: Using the Foundation’s insight, data and reputation, lead credible, proportionate advocacy, influencing and engagement activity in line with the aims of the 2030 Strategy.

    • Develop, deliver and evaluate effective policy, advocacy and communications strategies, working with colleagues to ensure consistent messaging and clear communication of impact and learning.
    • Commission and oversee high-quality research, evaluation and learning activity that supports programme design, strengthens grantmaking effectiveness, and demonstrates the social and economic value of the voluntary and community sector in Essex so that we can evidence the impact of funding on communities and the wider VCS.
    • Identify opportunities for collaborative funding, systems change and innovation while working with public sector bodies, charitable trusts, philanthropists and other partners.

ORGANISATIONAL LEADERSHIP: Earn credibility and trust as a confident and values-led leader, deeply committed to social justice in Essex, who inspires others through inclusive leadership, authentic communication and meaningful impact for communities across Essex.

    • Build and lead a motivated, engaged and high-performing grants and programmes team. Invest in the growth, development and learning of team members, providing regular coaching and feedback.
    • Establish strong working relationships with other Senior Team Members and lead effective cross-functional collaboration to achieve the Foundation’s overall objectives.
    • Support the CEO in working with, and reporting to, the Board of Trustees and relevant Committees, providing strategic insight on grantmaking performance, programmes, partnerships and risk.
    • Hold responsibility for programme and grantmaking-related budgets, working with finance colleagues to ensure effective financial planning, monitoring and control.
    • Undertake other duties appropriate to the seniority and responsibilities of the role, as required.

Key Relationships

Internal
Reports to the CEO

  • Accountable to the Board of Trustees, including close partnership with the Chair of the Grants & Programmes Committee and the Chair of the Advocacy, Voice & Strategic Communications Committee
  • Responsible for the Grants Team
  • Close working relationships with the Director of Finance & Resources, Head of Development, Head of Stewardship and Head of Operations

External

  • Patron, President, Vice Presidents and Trustees
  • Voluntary and community organisations and leaders
  • Donors, potential donors and fundholders
  • Public sector leaders, executives and elected officials
  • Trustees of charitable trusts and foundations
  • Academic institutions
  • Other Community Foundations and charitable foundations
  • UKCF and relevant national partners

Delegated authority:

  • Deputising for CEO and Senior Management Team members as appropriate.