At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK Artist Touring Fund, managing grants and supporting artists on their tours.
- Company: Join the Featured Artists Coalition, a champion for music artists' rights in the UK.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, opportunity to travel, and make a real difference in the music industry.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and networking within the UK music scene.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of supporting artists and transforming the touring landscape.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and grant administration, with a passion for the arts.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Contract: Fixed term - 6 months initially, extendable to 12
Hours: 3-5 days per week dependent on funding
Location: London, SE1
Travel: Some travel within the UK may be required to promote the fund/meet funders
The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) is the UK’s not-for-profit body representing the rights and interests of music artists. We are an inclusive community that advocates, educates, collaborates and researches on behalf of artists, coming together to provide a strong, collective voice within the industry and to governments domestically and abroad.
The UK Artist Touring (UKAT) Fund is led by the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) in partnership with the Music Managers Forum (MMF), the Musicians’ Union (MU). It is primarily funded through the LIVE Trust which collects money from a £1 contribution from artists touring 5000 capacity venues and above (arenas/stadiums). The UK Artist Touring Fund is a groundbreaking initiative designed to de-risk touring for artists and stabilise the UK’s grassroots music infrastructure. After a successful Phase One, funding 26 artists to tour across the UK, we are seeking a Fund Manager to lead day-to-day operations of future funding phases.
The Fund Manager will lead the day-to-day operations of the UK Artist Touring (UKAT) Fund. You will be responsible for overseeing the entire grant lifecycle—from application and assessment to disbursement and impact reporting. Your goal is to ensure the fund remains a transparent, accessible, and vital resource for artists facing the increasing financial pressures of the modern touring landscape. The immediate priority is leading the execution of Phase Two—supporting artists on the road from summer—while simultaneously initiating a digital transformation project to scope and launch a new grant management system for Phase Three from November.
Key Responsibilities
- Application Oversight: Manage the online application portal and act as the primary point of contact for all applicant queries.
- Assessment & Moderation: Conduct initial eligibility checks and coordinate the independent assessment process.
- Panel Coordination: Recruit and manage diverse expert panels to review applications, facilitating selection meetings to ensure fair and merit-based outcomes.
- Distribution: Work with the finance team to oversee the execution of grant agreements and timely disbursement of funds.
Partner & Stakeholder Relations
- Collaboration: Maintain strong working relationships with fund partners, reporting to the FAC CEO and consulting with the MMF, MU, and the principal funder, the LIVE Trust, ensuring all stakeholders are updated on fund progress and development.
- Advocacy: Represent the fund at industry events, panels, and meetings to raise awareness and advocate for the importance of touring support for the UK live ecosystem.
- Budgeting: Track the fund’s overall budget, ensuring accurate financial recording and compliance with accounting standards.
- Reporting: Collect and analyse data from successful applicants to produce comprehensive impact reports for funders and industry partners.
- Access: Proactively reach out to underrepresented groups and regions across the UK to ensure the fund is accessible to all artists, regardless of location, background or genre.
- Resources: Develop "how-to" guides, webinars, and toolkits to help artists and managers submit high-quality applications.
Timeline - key workstreams
- Operational Delivery: Phase Two (Immediate Focus)
- Launch: Manage the opening of Phase Two, including applicant outreach, handling technical queries, and ensuring the application process is accessible to a diverse range of UK artists working with PR and coordinating marketing across partners.
- Assessment & Moderation: Coordinate a team of independent industry assessors. Lead the moderation process to ensure consistent scoring and eligibility compliance.
- Selection & Funding: Facilitate final panel decisions and oversee the swift disbursement of funds from early September to successful artists to support tours beginning in the autumn season.
- Grantee Management: Act as the primary point of contact for Phase Two recipients, ensuring all grant agreements are signed and financial reporting requirements are understood.
- Systems Transformation: Phase Three Infrastructure
- Scoping & Requirements: Audit the current application workflow to identify efficiencies. Define the functional requirements for a more robust, scalable Grant Management System (GMS).
- Costing & Procurement: Research and benchmark external platforms (e.g., Submittable, Good Grants). Present a costed proposal to the oversight team (FAC/MU/MMF) for the new system by August.
- Implementation & Migration: Lead the setup of the chosen platform, including custom form building and testing, ensuring the system is fully operational and user-tested by early November.
- Phase Three Launch: Deploy the new tech platform for the launch of Phase Three, providing a seamless experience for both applicants and internal assessors.
- Reporting & Stakeholder Relations
- Industry Liaison: Maintain proactive communication with fund partners, including the FAC CEO (line manager) MMF, MU, and LIVE Trust.
- Impact Tracking: Use data from previous phases to draft impact reports that highlight the fund's role in sustaining the UK's live music infrastructure.
Person Specification
- Project Management: Proven experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
- Grant management: Experience of administering funding schemes, ideally within the arts or non-profit sectors.
- Financial Literacy: Ability to scrutinise tour budgets and manage fund disbursement schedules and financial statements.
- Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to navigate delicate conversations with artists and industry leaders.
- Agility: The ability to pivot between "high-touch" artist support and "high-level" technical project management.
- Commitment to DEI: A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts.
- Technical Savvy: Experience in scoping and implementing grant-management software solutions. An understanding of UK live music, specifically the financial challenges of touring (e.g., fuel costs, crew fees, visas, and commissions).
- Existing network: within the UK music industry (agents, managers, promoters).
- Experience: implementing grant management software (e.g., SurveyMonkey Apply, Submittable, or GoodGrants).
Fund Manager employer: Featured Artists Coalition (FAC)
The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the UK music industry in London. With a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, FAC fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture that empowers employees to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact on artists' lives. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to engage with a vibrant community dedicated to advocating for the rights and interests of music artists.
Contact Details:
Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fund Manager
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Featured Artists Coalition (FAC).
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Featured Artists Coalition (FAC).
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Featured Artists Coalition (FAC).
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Featured Artists Coalition (FAC). Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Fund Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Featured Artists Coalition (FAC). Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Fund Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Featured Artists Coalition (FAC)
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Featured Artists Coalition (FAC). Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
