Funding Operations Manager (Maternity Cover)

This role plays a key part in enabling the smooth running of the Comic Relief Funding Department by developing, maintaining and co-ordinating the efficient and effective management of Funding Department financial and operations processes and systems. This post will work closely with the Funding leadership team and key posts across wider Comic Relief to ensure that Comic Relief’s funding practice is enabled through consistent and efficient financial and operational policies, processes and systems.

Key responsibilities

• Work with the Head of Funding Operations and Approaches to oversee, manage and drive the financial aspects of Comic Relief’s grant making within the Funding Department.
• Be the first point of contact for Funding Department colleagues for queries relating to grant making financial processes and systems, initially troubleshooting problems and looking for ways to improve funding team financial systems.
• Streamline funding financial team processes and generally make Funding Department financial operations more efficient.
• Act as the Funding Team focal point for Finance, maintaining good communications and relationships with the CR Finance Team.
• Proactively identify risks relating to grant finances and operations, working with colleagues in the Finance and Funding Departments to propose solutions to resolve issues that may arise.
• Support the development and delivery of training on Funding Team Financial Systems for Funding Department colleagues.
• Co-ordinate monthly payments to funded partners and assist Funding Team colleagues with troubleshooting, ensuring that payments are made on time.
• Co-ordinate monthly delegated decision making on funding, including ensuring papers are submitted, and liaising with Finance to ensure funds are subsequently allocated accurately.
• Co-ordinate processes around CR trustee board and sub-committee board approval of funding, including liaison with finance and other colleagues.
• Support the Funding Director with accurate forecasting, reporting and record keeping on CR Grant Making activity, including the development and implementation of systems for tracking grant making, and the preparation of reports.

Operations responsibilities

• Proactively support the Head of Funding Operations and Approaches, the Funding Director, and other Funding Team heads on the development of grant giving operational policies, processes and systems.
• Support the Head of Operations and Approaches with the continual development and operationalisation of the funding handbook, including working closely and responsively with compliance, legal, finance and data teams.
• Act as the Funding Team focal point for data queries, maintaining good communications and relationships with the CR Data Team.
• Work with colleagues within CR’s data function to support the ongoing maintenance and efficient use of the Salesforce Grant Management System.
• Be the internal first point of contact within the Funding Team for queries about the Salesforce Grant Making database, initially troubleshooting problems where possible, and providing basic training to new and existing members of the funding team.
• As requested, carry out ad hoc research requests on CR’s funding utilising the Salesforce Grant Making database.
• Assist colleagues within the Funding Team with queries around potential funded partner assessments, compliance and financial checks.
• Support with fulfilling Comic Relief commitments to initiatives such as IATI and 360 Giving.
• Support the Funding team with any other finance or operations related tasks and projects as requested by the Director of Funding or Head of Operations and Approaches.

Person specification

• Experience in developing, implementing and managing financial systems and processes.
• Knowledge and experience of grant management systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills.
• Able to work proactively and independently; able to carry out multiple tasks, prioritise, take initiative, and work to deadlines in an organised manner.
• Excellent attention to detail, time management and organisation skills.
• Good communication skills, written and oral.
• Collaborative, cross-functional approach that engages colleagues, partner organisations and stakeholders.
• Good relationship management skills, able to work as part of a team.
• Self-motivated and driven, with the adaptability to collaboratively navigate unforeseen challenges.
• An understanding or lived experience of social injustice, and proven track record of working in alignment with Comic Relief’s commitment to social justice, anti-racism, diversity, inclusion and equity.
• Experience in working with databases.
• Skills in data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Experience of carrying out desk-based research.