Join our team – Grants Manager

Grant-making to support the music of cathedrals and other choral foundations is a central part of the activities of Cathedral Music Trust. In recent years we have disbursed over £450,000 per annum. Our established grant programme sits within a wider Programmes department, which aims to support cathedral music through Partnerships that strengthen the sector.

The Grants Manager will primarily be responsible for managing the Trust’s grants programmes, working closely with the Grants Assessment Panel and the Programmes Committee to: establish eligibility criteria; set time-lines for applications; analyse submissions;, advise on decision-making; communicate with applicants and grant holders to support monitoring and evaluation.

The Programmes Committee, comprising trustees and co-opted members, oversees the design and management of our grants programmes and the evaluation of their impact. The Grants Assessment Panel, a group of experienced volunteers chaired by a trustee, has responsibility for assessing grant applications, and for ensuring that grants awarded are in accordance with the Trust’s formal charitable objective. The Trust utilises a comparative judgement process for the assessment of grant applications and the Grants Manager will be instrumental in supporting the continued implementation of this method.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the charity as it seeks to shape its grants programmes to help cathedrals and choral foundations meet the challenges of sustaining excellent choirs and offering opportunities to child and adult musicians from diverse backgrounds. The Trust is currently delivering a 5- year strategic plan which seeks to grow the level of support we are able to offer. Our Programmes team leads on the Trust’s grant-making, education, and research initiatives such as our Small Sounds programme, Choral Pathways programme, and sector-facing conference.

For this role, you will need to be thorough and highly organised, with meticulous attention to detail and demonstrate a diverse range of skills. You will be expected to have excellent communications skills, building professional relationships with grant applicants and other stakeholders. You will be a creative problem solver, have persistent attention to detail and be able to contribute imaginative ideas to help drive the team’s activities.

The Grants Manager will work remotely as part of a small team, so it is essential that you are self-motivated and able to use your own initiative. Some travel will be expected to attend in-person meetings and make occasional visits to stakeholders. The Trust is committed to each team member’s professional development, and this role offers a great opportunity to develop a career in grants and project management.

Everyone associated with the Trust works from home. Our partners are UK wide and so meetings and events are held regularly in London and across the country. You will work closely with the whole staff team and key volunteers, including the Chair of the Grants Assessment Panel, and will report to the Programmes Director. You will have regular contact with the Board of Trustees, Committee members and other volunteers, as well as liaising with a wide range of people.

Some core hours will be required but a degree of flexible working will be possible.