Director of The Goldsmith's Foundation

Director of The Goldsmith's Foundation

Role Purpose

The Director is the Goldsmiths’ Foundation’s senior executive leader. They support the Board in development of the Foundation’s strategy, and lead grant-making, advocacy and partnership activities to deliver that strategy. Responsible for keeping the Board up to date on current best practice in philanthropy, they manage relationships with grantees, oversee and monitor impact, and develop strong external networks and partnerships. Reporting to the Chief Executive, they also cultivate strong relationships with all parts of the Goldsmiths’ Company as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Main Responsibilities & Duties

Leadership and Management:

Work closely with the Foundation’s Chair and maintain a strong working relationship with the Trustee Board, supporting them in development of the Foundation’s strategy. Manage grant-making, advocacy and partnership activities to deliver the Foundation’s strategy. Keep the Board informed on progress against objectives and on delivery of outcomes and impact. Support the Foundation’s Advisory Group (a group of Goldsmiths’ Company members who are experienced in grant-making), including preparing summaries of applications received, and providing guidance on assessing grant applications. Work closely with the Chief Executive / Clerk, Director of Finance and other colleagues in the Senior Leadership team to ensure alignment and coherence across all the group’s activities. Manage, develop and empower the Foundation team to deliver high-impact funding programmes. With the Board, ensure ongoing effective and compliant governance in line with current good practice, to include an annual review of the Foundation using the Charity Governance Code.

Grant-making and Impact Reporting:

Oversee and manage delivery of the Foundation’s grant-making programme, ensuring alignment with current best practice in philanthropic funding. Prepare grant-making policies, manage calls for applications, and analyse applications for review by the Advisory Group and Board of Trustees. Keep up to date on current topics in the third sector to ensure that the Board of Trustees is informed, and the Foundation can respond appropriately. Identify strategic funding needs and gaps in the Foundation’s areas of interest to inform current and future grant allocation and proactive initiatives. Oversee and monitor funding beneficiaries, cultivating a strong partnership approach to ensure delivery against agreed objectives. Work closely with the Director of the Goldsmiths’ Centre (one of the Foundation’s principle beneficiaries) to ensure strong delivery and positive impact in fulfilment of its mission. Lead and direct the Foundation’s overall approach to impact measurement, evaluation and reporting, including commissioning research and summative and formative impact reports.

External Relationships:

Proactively develop and maintain external relationships with existing and prospective grantees, other funders, representatives of the craft and trade, training and education institutions, and the wider charity sector. Collaborate with the Communications and Marketing team on devising and executing an effective communications strategy to raise awareness of the Foundation’s activities and positive impact. Represent the Foundation externally at charity, creative industries and membership events.

Finance & Investments:

Set, monitor and manage the Foundation’s annual budget for approval by the Trustees. Attend and report to the Finance and Risk Committee, Court of Wardens and Court of Assistants (Board equivalent) meetings, as required. Attend Investment Committee meetings, as required, contributing to effective stewardship and management of the Foundation’s investment portfolio, including ESG considerations. Oversee the Management Services Agreement with the Goldsmiths’ Company and annual benchmarking of services commissioned from the Company by the Foundation. With the Company’s Membership Team, devise and oversee a proactive fundraising strategy encouraging philanthropic giving from the Company’s membership.

General:

Foster and promote strong working relationships between the Foundation and the wider Goldsmiths’ Company to support the effective fulfilment of the mission of each. Undertake any other reasonable tasks, as required by the Chair of Trustees or the Goldsmiths’ Company Chief Executive / Clerk.

Person Specification

Essential Experience:

Substantial senior leadership experience at a charity, foundation or non-profit. Experience of charity governance and reporting to a non-executive board or Trustee board. Experience of building and maintaining effective, meaningful relationships with diverse stakeholders and partners. Experience of commissioning impact reporting and using findings to steer strategy and delivery. Experience of leading teams, effectively managing people, and of developing and leading a positive, inclusive and empowering working culture. Experience in at least one of the Foundation’s focus areas: the silversmithing and jewellery craft and trade, the wider creative industries, and/or the vocational training and education system.

Essential Skills and Knowledge:

Excellent written and spoken communication skills. Strong financial literacy, with the ability to set and manage budgets. Ability to manage conflicting demands and prioritise effectively. Knowledge and understanding of best practice in philanthropic, progressive grant-making. Understanding of the systemic issues that cause disadvantage and how they can be addressed.

Essential Qualities and Attributes:

Excellent team player, with a collegiate and collaborative working style. Open and collaborative, with an ability to listen as well as to persuade and influence. Personal and professional integrity. Proven commitment to championing equity, diversity and inclusion in practice. Well-honed external relationships and networking skills, able to relate effectively with stakeholders from a wide range of backgrounds, sectors and experiences. Genuine interest in, and appetite to learn about, the Goldsmiths’ Company’s wider work. Curious and open-minded, with a commitment to ongoing professional development Demonstrable commitment and passion to address inequities and to enable people to develop the skills to fulfil their potential.

Desirable Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

Direct experience at a grant-making or funding body. Professional knowledge and experience of the technical and vocational training, education and skills sector. Knowledge and experience of the goldsmithing, silversmithing and jewellery-making craft, trade and industry. Experience at a membership organisation. Knowledge and understanding of the City of London and/or of Livery Companies.

What We Offer:

Competitive Salary: £80,000 – £90,000 per annum. Generous Benefits: Company pension contribution up to 14%, Simply Health cash plan, and more. Flexible Hours: 33.75 hours per week, typically 9:30 am – 5:15 pm (based at Goldsmiths’ Hall with at least 3 days a week in the Hall and flexibility to work from home up to 2 days a week), some flexibility may be required.

How to apply

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter via email below, detailing how you meet the requirements of the role.

The deadline for applications is 16:00 on Monday 10 February 2025, and if you are successful in being shortlisted, we will be in touch shortly after the closing date.

Interviews will be held at Goldsmiths’ Hall, Foster Lane, London EC2V 6BN.