The Partnership Manager – Sainsbury’s & Big Lottery Fund will take responsibility for delivering and managing each partnership and leading on grant-making and grant management within each initiative.

Key Accountabilities / Objectives

• Lead on the delivery of partnerships with Sainsbury’s and Big Lottery Fund, ensuring impact, learning and delivery are in line with partner restrictions and Comic Relief’s strategic goals.

• Proactively manage these partnership accounts including taking the lead on reporting, risk, partnership management, and budget management.

• Oversee effective and efficient grant making within each initiative, including shortlisting and assessments of grant proposals. Use and maintain grant-related data in GEM and work with others to evolve and improve our systems and processes.

• Manage the portfolio of grants and undertake effective monitoring to ensure that all grants perform well. Provide considered feedback, advice and guidance to funding partners (grantees).

• Work with Finance to proactively manage partnership budgets.

• Take responsibility for the quality control of relevant papers to internal and external panels and meetings.

• Liaise and build effective relationships with relevant key stakeholders within Comic Relief, ensuring smooth cross-functional working and communication.

• Monitor programme spend to ensure the programme remains on track.

• Maintain key relationships with Sainsbury’s and Big Lottery Fund and other interested parties, as they relate to the programme.

• Represent and positively promote Comic Relief in appropriate fora, networks and consortia.

• Regular travel (including international) is required within this role.

Essential Education and Skills

• Solid experience of working in international development.

• Experience of grant making or grant management is essential.

• Experience of partnership working is beneficial.

• Familiarity with a variety of project development and grant management tools including theory of change, MEL plans, and budgets.

Key Competencies

• Strong relationship management skills across a range of stakeholders.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, including with senior external stakeholders.

• Strong analytical skills – able to drill down into the detail as well as step back to see the ‘bigger picture’.

• Strong monitoring, evaluation and learning skills.