Key responsibilities

As the Partnerships Manager, you will be responsible for delivering projects under our Grant Distribution service. You will be leading the delivery of one of our largest projects in international grant giving, as well as managing the delivery of grant distribution with several funding partners. The day to day planning and delivery will be your responsibility, with support from the Programmes Assistant (GD), Head of Programmes and Director of Operations to ensure that the contract is being delivered in scope, on time and within the budget. The role will involve:

Project management and delivery:

• Lead on the delivery of the grant distribution arm of the SCN service, Including our international grant giving project with one of our largest clients, and manage the relationship and delivery of grant distribution with several funding partners. You will:
  • Develop and manage a detailed project schedule and work plans, updating regularly when things change;
  • Provide project updates on a consistent basis to various stakeholders and the project team about deliverables, timelines, adjustments, and progress;
  • Work with the Head of Programmes to outline resources needed to deliver the projects, manage these resources in an effective and efficient way through the duration of the project, and update the project team if/when the scope of the project changes, and ensure the contract is being fulfilled within budget;
  • Close the project – including evaluating successes and challenges to enhance learning for your next project;
  • Problem solving where issues arise with the delivery of the project;
  • Support the grant giving process, from application design with the client, support the onboarding of decision making committees, coordinating due diligence and reporting to the client, sending grant agreements and onboarding grantees, managing the payment of grants, providing continued support to grantees throughout their spending period, and tracking financial transactions, evaluation and reporting to the client.

Client management:

• Relationship management of Grant Distribution partners across the service, including those involved in fiscal hosting services.
• Communicate with the various clients and stakeholders on a regular basis, through virtual and occasional in-person meetings.
• Identify new opportunities for work with existing clients. 

Finance and risk management:

• Lead on tracking all transactions related to grant distribution, and working with the Finance Officer and SCN Programmes Assistant to ensure records are accurate and payments to grantees are made. 
• Identify and manage risks to ensure delivery is on time, leaning on the Head of Programmes and Head of Governance and Innovation where needed.
• Conduct due diligence for all grantees, and support the Operations team to identify where we need to alter our compliance framework to better serve the business needs.

Teamwork and collaboration:

• Work with the rest of the SCN team to ensure there is sharing of knowledge to improve systems and practice across all services, making sure the services are aligned.  
• Work alongside and support the full SCN team to ensure we are delivering the vision and strategy.
• To work with colleagues in the Communications team to provide information, ideas and support for the SCN marketing strategy, related to Grant Distribution.

Management 

• Manage the Programmes Assistant (GD), overseeing their duties and responsibilities and mentoring their development in the roles and the organisation.