Grants Manager

Are you passionate about creating real, lasting change in mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services? Open Up, the official charity of Devon Partnership NHS Trust, is looking for a skilled and driven Grants Manager to play a vital role in expanding our fundraising success and securing transformative funding. You will be at the heart of developing powerful grant applications and building lasting relationships with trusts and foundations to bring life-changing projects to communities across Devon and beyond. We offer flexible working, a collaborative team and a values-led culture rooted in inclusion, empowerment and innovation. You will have the freedom to shape strategy, the support to grow professionally and the opportunity to deliver tangible, visible impact.

Main duties of the job:

• Lead Open Up's approach to securing funding that enhances and transforms mental wellbeing services.
• Identify opportunities, write persuasive applications and manage the full lifecycle of grants from research and submission through to reporting and funder engagement.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners to understand funding needs, develop innovative proposals and ensure grant-funded projects are impactful, timely and aligned with our purpose.
• Build strong, lasting relationships with trusts, foundations and other grant-makers.
• Help shape funding priorities, translate ideas into clear and compelling cases for support and demonstrate the difference every grant makes through engaging updates and reports.

Your work will directly support projects that improve lives, promote inclusion and deliver innovation in mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity care.

About Devon Partnership Trust:

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery. We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do.

Our values:

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Qualifications:

• Essential: A degree-level qualification in a relevant field such as business management, fundraising or equivalent knowledge and experience in the charitable or non-profit sector.
• Desirable: Professional qualification in fundraising and/or grant funding. Training in monitoring and evaluation or impact assessment. Continuing professional development in areas such as grant writing, partnership development or project management.

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in securing significant funding through successful grant applications, including writing, submitting, and managing grants from various sources such as trusts, foundations, corporates, and public sector bodies.
• Experience in managing the full grant lifecycle, from research and application to compliance, financial tracking, and reporting, ensuring alignment with funder requirements.
• Familiarity with mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity sectors, particularly within NHS or charity contexts.
• Project management experience, including delivering projects on time and within budget.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong understanding of the funding landscape, including key grant-making bodies and experience identifying relevant funding opportunities.
• Experience in partnership development, with the ability to identify, cultivate, and maintain strategic relationships with trusts, foundations, healthcare organisations and other funding partners.
• Experience negotiating, formalising, and managing grant agreements with funders and partners to ensure successful project delivery.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation processes to assess the impact of funded projects and ensure effective use of resources.
• Awareness of data protection, safeguarding and equality and diversity policies, ensuring compliance and promoting an inclusive approach to grant management.
• Experience in joint project development and collaborating with partners to achieve shared goals, ensuring the successful delivery of funded initiatives.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.