At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead grant management and impact reporting to support music education for children.
- Company: Join the Ed Sheeran Foundation, dedicated to music access for all kids.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and strategic impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team transforming music education for underserved communities.
- Qualifications: Five years in grant management with strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 55000 ÂŁ per year.
Reporting to: CEO
Salary: £40,000 – £55,000 (Dependent on experience)
Location: London, Tuesday to Thursday in office, Monday and Friday at home
Working hours: Core hours from 10:00 – 18:00, Occasional evening and weekend hours.
The Ed Sheeran Foundation exists to ensure every child has meaningful access to music education, regardless of where they live or what they can afford. Since launching in January 2025, the Foundation has rapidly become an essential connector between schools, grassroots organisations, and industry and policy professionals, aiming to strengthen music provision through direct investment and advocacy work. In 16 months, the Foundation has begun supporting grassroots organisations and state school music departments up and down the country, reaching over 15,000 children and young people.
Background to the Role: The Foundation is building on strong early momentum and is now focused on strengthening the processes that will support long‑term growth. To scale responsibly, the organisation needs a diligent, proactive professional to lead grant‑making end‑to‑end and to embed the systems, reporting and risk controls that enable sustainable growth. With the grant‑making portfolio expanding, the Foundation is focused on enhancing the processes and documentation that support effective oversight. The Impact & Grant Manager will play a central role in establishing a robust, scalable approach. The role will design and implement a coherent grants lifecycle, define impact measures aligned to the Foundation’s theory of change, strengthen audit and evidence trails, and produce board‑level reporting that supports confident decision‑making.
The Role: The Impact & Grant Manager will lead the Foundation’s grant portfolio and impact approach. While the Foundation’s longer‑term ambitions include fundraising, the immediate priority is to strengthen how grants are assessed, awarded, monitored and evidenced.
- Experience: At least five years of experience in grant management or trust fundraising with a proven track record of delivering grants, setting up systems, and working cross‑functionally, preferably in a highly regulated, KPI‑driven environment. Demonstratable ability to work autonomously and prioritise competing demands.
- Grant Making Skills: Design and run an end‑to‑end grants process: application, assessment, approvals, contracting, payment schedules, monitoring, grant variation and extension decisions, and close‑out. Develop clear eligibility and assessment criteria, including scoring frameworks and consistent decision records. Manage a live portfolio with multiple grants at different stages, keeping timelines, conditions, and reporting requirements on track.
- Analytical Skills: Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau or Power BI). Strong command of Microsoft software, including but not limited to, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Financial Acumen: Strong ability to interpret charity accounts, manage complex budgets, and implement risk‑based due diligence. Confident working with financial teams and coordinating strategically to ensure the Foundation’s growth ambition is achieved.
- Communication: Exceptional writing skills with the ability to “translate” financial and technical data for non‑specialist audiences. Ability to clearly communicate with the CEO, Operations Officer, and all other relevant parties as to your own and the wider Foundation's progress, deadlines, and requirements.
- Impact Reporting: Build story‑driven impact outputs grounded in evidence and suitable for funders, partners, and public audiences. Create board‑ready reports, which include but are not limited to, concise dashboards, portfolio summaries, risk and issue logs, and decision papers. Own and take responsibility for the public facing Impact Report and Theory of Change on an annual basis.
- Attitude: A creative, self‑motivated individual who is comfortable navigating ambiguity and challenging the status quo. Delivery‑focused, with strong practical judgement and the ability to move between strategic oversight and operational detail.
- Values: Possession of a genuine passion for musical provision for children in underserved communities is a must.
Impact & Grant Manager employer: Ed Sheeran Foundation
Contact Detail:
Ed Sheeran Foundation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Impact & Grant Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the music education sector or grant management. Attend events, join online forums, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Ed Sheeran Foundation's impact and values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about music education for all kids.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! When discussing your past experiences, frame them in a way that highlights your impact. Use data and anecdotes to illustrate how you've successfully managed grants or improved processes in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Impact & Grant Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Impact & Grant Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in grant management and how it aligns with our mission at the Ed Sheeran Foundation. We want to see how you can contribute to our goals!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past work that showcase your analytical abilities, communication skills, and financial acumen. We love seeing how you've made an impact in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Make sure to communicate your ideas effectively, especially when discussing complex topics like grant processes or financial data.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our foundation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ed Sheeran Foundation
✨Know Your Impact
Before the interview, dive deep into the Ed Sheeran Foundation's mission and recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in grant management and impact reporting. Show them you’re not just interested in the role, but genuinely passionate about music education for children.
✨Master the Grant Lifecycle
Brush up on the end-to-end grants process. Be prepared to explain how you've successfully designed and implemented similar systems in the past. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to manage multiple grants and keep everything on track, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Familiarise yourself with CRM systems and data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI. During the interview, highlight your proficiency in these areas and how they can benefit the Foundation. Being able to translate complex data into understandable insights will set you apart.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing financial data and impact reports. The ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences is key. Prepare to present a sample report or dashboard to showcase your skills in creating board-ready materials.