Grant & Operations Manager

Syli - pronounced SOO-Lee - supports mission-driven journalism in service of informed audiences around the world, with a specific focus on climate activities. We are a recently established non-profit (UK community interest company) aiming for a world where everyone has access to equitable, trustworthy and accurate information. We support and advance mission-driven journalism by fostering new concepts and identifying sustainable financial models for journalism, creating a healthier, more sustainable media ecosystem for better informed global audiences.

We are looking for an Operations Manager. The Operations Manager is the strategic engine room of Syli, ensuring the organisation remains robust and agile as we scale. This high-level role is designed for a systems-thinker who can bridge the gap between ambitious strategy and operational excellence. You will act as a vital partner and "force multiplier" to the Executive Directors, overseeing the intersection of financial health, legal compliance, and strategic fundraising. Your focus is on the foundational infrastructure, ensuring Syli is contractually secure, financially transparent, and ready for future growth.

The position is for an immediate start and is a hybrid role, primarily remote but with in-person days in London up to eight times a month. This position is offered as a full-time staff position in the UK. Candidates must already live in the UK and have the right to work in the UK. You will need to ensure you have access to a suitable professional and confidential environment with a reliable internet connection to carry out your duties. Some travel may be required. The position is full-time over Monday to Friday. This is a fixed term contract ending on 31 December 2026. However, pending securing the required funding, we intend for this to become a multi-year programme.

Responsibilities:

• Supporting the Executive Directors in drafting complex funding bids, ensuring all operational requirements are robust.
• Maintaining a bird’s-eye view of our fundraising pipeline, ensuring deadlines are met and reporting requirements are anticipated well in advance.
• Acting as a high-level point of contact for funders and partners, managing professional relationships on behalf of the leadership team.
• Reviewing and implementing the terms of grant agreements, ensuring every programmatic milestone is matched by operational compliance.
• Coordinating Board meetings, preparing strategic reports, and ensuring our governance structures are transparent and effective.
• Working with the leadership team to monitor departmental spends against grant allocations, providing the Executive Directors with early warnings on variances.
• Identifying and implementing the digital tools and workflows (CRM, Project Management, ERP) that will allow Syli to scale without increasing administrative friction.
• Supporting the end-to-end talent management process and refining our approach to performance development and staff retention.
• Acting as an internal advocate for Syli’s values, ensuring that as we grow, we remain an empathetic and high-performing organisation.

Compensation and terms:

The pay for this role is £50,000 per year based on 35 hours per week.

Qualifications:

We have identified what we think you’ll need to know and have done, in order to do well in this role:

• You’ll have a background in journalism or communications alongside experience managing programmes and/or projects, possibly in the media, climate or non-profit sector.
• Substantial successful experience in programme or project management with media, media development, communications/information, non-profit, government or philanthropic funded projects.
• Experience managing international programmes with strong skills in facilitating innovation, developing training and building productive media industry networks.
• Experience with partnership management, gained working for or in partnership with an international nonprofit.
• Ability to use social media and digital communications to help achieve programme goals.
• Able to prioritise and handle multiple ongoing tasks and deadlines independently.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaborate as an effective team member.
• Professional, reliable, and able to remain calm and maintain effective relationships in a fast-paced work environment.
• Passion for climate reporting, additional languages, and experience with Slack and Google workspace are beneficial.

Additional information:

Apply: Please submit a CV, a cover letter addressing the responsibilities, qualifications, knowledge, and experience required for the role. Incomplete applications will not be considered. You must also answer the screening questions.

Process: We will review applications as they come in and will follow a set process to reduce bias in selection. The closing date for applications is midnight UK time on Sunday, 8th February. The process will include an initial call during the week of 9th February 2026 and final interviews to take place during the week of 16th February 2026. We may close applications early if we find the right person for this role.

About us and benefits: Syli is a non-profit organisation with values of sustainability, synergy, equality and transformation. We offer core hours 9am–5pm UK time, hybrid working with some in-person days in London, wellbeing and professional development programs, a laptop, pension options after probation, and 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays for UK employees. We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. If you are unable to apply via the online application portal or require any amendments that will assure a fair process, please get in touch.