At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead funding strategies and support community-led economic development across the UK.
- Company: Join Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, a top independent funder focused on social and environmental change.
- Benefits: Collaborative culture, impactful work, and the chance to shape communities.
- Other info: Be part of a values-driven team that encourages curiosity and shared leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in local economies and empower communities to lead change.
- Qualifications: Experience in community-driven enterprise and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is one of the UK’s leading independent funders, committed to improving our natural world, securing a fairer future and strengthening the bonds within communities. Each year, the Foundation distributes around £50 million in grants and makes social and impact investments that help organisations create lasting social and environmental change. Its strategy focuses on three interdependent aims: Our Natural World, A Fairer Future and Creative, Confident Communities. Alongside funding, Esmée uses its influence, convenes and brokers alliances, and commissions research to drive systemic change and maximise impact.
Prospectus is delighted to be partnering with Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to recruit a Lead Funding Manager for its Creative, Confident Communities team. This is a maternity cover role and a rare opportunity to play a leading role in shaping community-led economic development and regeneration across the UK. Creative, Confident Communities seeks to strengthen the social, cultural and economic fabric of places by supporting local people to lead change themselves. The programme has three priorities: ensuring communities have the power to influence decisions that affect them, helping local economies work better for local people, and enabling culture and creativity to build thriving communities.
The role involves providing strategic leadership for Esmée’s Community-driven Enterprise and Regeneration priority. You will lead the development and delivery of funding strategies, manage a portfolio of significant grants, assess high-value and strategically important proposals, and build influential relationships across the sector. This is a role for someone who wants to do more than fund good work. You will identify opportunities for change, convene partners, commission learning and research, and help shape the Foundation’s response to emerging opportunities and challenges in community-led economic development and regeneration.
As a visible ambassador for Esmée, you will represent the Foundation across networks, partnerships and sector forums, helping to advance its mission and influence. You will work closely with community organisations, social enterprises, local authorities, anchor institutions, funders and other partners to support more inclusive local economies and ensure communities play a meaningful role in shaping the long-term development of their places. The role will focus on resourcing locally rooted enterprise, supporting community ownership and leadership, and strengthening the capacity of communities to influence economic and regeneration decisions. You will help catalyse partnerships and investment that enable communities to build resilient local economies and create lasting benefits for the people who live there.
The culture at Esmée is collaborative, ambitious and deeply values-driven. You will join a supportive team that encourages curiosity, learning and shared leadership.
The person we are seeking is an experienced and strategic professional with a strong understanding of community-driven enterprise, local economic development and place-based regeneration. You may have gained this expertise within a funder, charitable trust, community organisation, social enterprise, local authority or the wider regeneration/economic development sector. Experience of leading impactful work that strengthens local economies, supports community ownership and asset development, or advances community-led regeneration will be important.
You will bring excellent judgement, experience of strategy development, strong analytical skills and the ability to assess complex organisational and financial information with confidence. An accomplished relationship builder, you will be comfortable convening diverse stakeholders, influencing at a senior level and turning insight into action. Most importantly, you will be motivated by Esmée’s mission and share its commitment to social justice, equity and community-led change. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a tangible contribution to one of the UK’s most influential foundations and help shape stronger, more inclusive and economically resilient communities across the UK.
Lead Funding Manager – Creative, Confident Communities (Maternity Cover) in London employer: Prospectus | B Corp
At WWF, we pride ourselves on being a leading global environmental charity that not only protects nature but actively works to restore it for future generations. Our hybrid work culture fosters collaboration and inclusivity, providing employees with meaningful opportunities to contribute to impactful decision-making at the board level. With a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, we encourage diverse perspectives and offer comprehensive support for professional growth, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about making a difference in the world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Funding Manager – Creative, Confident Communities (Maternity Cover) in London
✨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 Prospectus | B Corp.
✨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 Prospectus | B Corp.
✨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 Prospectus | B Corp.
✨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 Prospectus | B Corp. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Funding Manager – Creative, Confident Communities (Maternity Cover) in London
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 Prospectus | B Corp. 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 Lead Funding Manager – Creative, Confident Communities (Maternity Cover), 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 Prospectus | B Corp
✨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 Prospectus | B Corp. 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!
