Head of Grants – Job Description

To apply please provide a concise covering letter (no more than two pages) outlining your suitability for the role against the job description and a completed application form. Please submit by clicking "apply here"

Hours  | 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE) – additional hours may be available subject to funding 

Holiday entitlement  | 25 days per annum (FTE), rising by 1 day per year after the first 2 years to a maximum of 28 days, plus public holidays 

Reports to  | CEO 

Contract type  | Permanent 

The Head of Grants leads the Foundation’s grantmaking function, ensuring that grants programmes are designed and delivered to a consistently high standard, and that applicants and grantees receive an excellent, fair and transparent service. 

 

The postholder is accountable for the quality, pace and integrity of the end-to-end grants process—from pre-application support through to assessment (including personally undertaking more complex or higher-risk assessments), decision-making, contracting, payments and monitoring. They ensure proportionate due diligence, effective risk management, and compliance across the portfolio. 

 

They lead, manage and develop the grants team, and are responsible for delivering grant programmes in line with the Foundation’s strategic priorities. Working closely with the CEO and senior colleagues, they ensure funding is delivered effectively and responsively to meet community needs. 

 

The role builds trusted relationships with funders, donors, partners and sector networks to support the successful delivery of funding programmes and maximise their reach across Bedfordshire and Luton. 

 

The Head of Grants works closely with the Head of Impact so that Grant making is shaped by a clear understanding of need and strong evidence. Together, these roles help ensure funding is used effectively and achieves the best possible outcomes for communities. 

 

Working Environment:  

Based at current business office at Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire but working flexible from home and on locations across the county as required. 

The postholder will ensure that policies, procedures and activities for service delivery are revised and/or implemented in a way that supports equality for all. These activities should also reflect BLCF’s commitment to Diversity Equality and Inclusion (DEI) within the sector and in its work to support the communities of Bedfordshire & Luton as an equitable funder.  

This acts as selection criteria and gives an outline of the types of persons and the characteristics required to do the job. Listed below are the Essential Criteria without which candidate would be rejected. Some criteria are Desirable and marked (D) and are useful for choosing between two good candidates  

Please make sure, when completing your application form, you give clear examples 

of how you meet the essential and desirable (D) criteria.

Attributes  | Criteria  | How Measured
Experience   | Substantial experience in grantmaking and funding assessment, including personally undertaking complex assessments and making recommendations Experience of leading and supporting others (line management and/or supervision), including planning workloads and maintaining quality standards. Experience of working with funders/donors or within externally funded programmes, including meeting reporting requirements. A good understanding of the voluntary and community sector and the operating context for charities/community organisations Experience of commissioning or managing freelance assessors/volunteers. (D) Experience of developing or improving Grant making processes, templates or assessment frameworks. (D)  | 1,2

Skills/Abilities  | Excellent written communication, with the ability to produce clear, concise assessment and decision-making reports. Strong judgement and ability to balance risk, equity and impact when making recommendations. Excellent people skills, able to build credibility with applicants, trustees, donors/funders and sector partners. Highly organised with the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver to deadlines in a busy environment. Confident IT skills including Microsoft Office and CRM/database use; strong attention to detail and data accuracy Knowledge of local needs and the voluntary sector landscape across Bedfordshire and Luton. (D) Familiarity with charity finance and governance requirements relevant to Grant making due diligence. . (D)  | 1,2,3

Equality Issues    | Able to demonstrate and articulate the importance and challenges of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in current grants making and how barriers and a more equitable approach can be embedded into Grant making practice and service delivery.  Some knowledge and understanding of equality issues and legislation relating to the charity sector. (D)  | 1,2

Personal attributes   | Commitment to excellent customer service and a supportive, fair approach. Values-led, with integrity and a commitment to the mission of the Community Foundation. Proactive, collaborative and comfortable taking initiative and with a flexible, resilient and able to work effectively under pressure. Ambitious, energetic and with an outward focus and creative and flexible in outlook  Highly motivated, with an enthusiasm and determination to build the resources available and needed to support community needs across Bedfordshire  Strong understanding of the values of the Community Foundation Excellent personnel skills and able to work effectively within a small team providing support across a width of areas  Understanding of current needs in the Bedfordshire County (D)   | 1,2

Education and   Training  | Educated to degree level or equivalent or with substantial work and personal relevant experience  | 1,4

Other Requirements  | Able to work evenings and weekends as necessary  Ability to access and work across all the county of Bedfordshire or other geographical areas as dictated by our funding streams, when necessary. To ensure we meet the business and operational requirements of the organisation. Current driving license and access to a vehicle or transport (D) 1,2 

(1 = Application Form    2 = Interview    3 = Test    4 = Proof of Qualification    5 = Practical Exercise) 

 

NB: This job description reflects the requirements of BLCF as of June 2026. The role and duties of the post are subject to change in line with the future development of BLCF.  BLCF reserves the rights to make such changes as are necessary, and any changes required will be discussed with the post holder as appropriate. 

We will consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Equality Act (2010) to enable an applicant with a disability (as defined under the Act) to meet the requirements of the post.  

The post holder will ensure that BLCF’s policies are reflected in all aspects of his/her work, those relating to: 

(i)  Equal Opportunities 

(ii) Health and Safety 

(iii) Data Protection Act (1984 & 1998)