Senior Grants Officer

Job Title:
Senior Grants Officer

Reporting To:
Grants Manager

Salary:
£31,125 £39,826

Hours:
37.5 hours per week

Duration:
Permanent

Location:
Alder Hey Children s Charity, Liverpool / Hybrid working

Job Purpose

We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our grants team to support the charity in delivering approximately £5m of grant awards per year.

The Senior Grants Officer will play an active role in supporting Alder Hey Children s Charity s grant development and awarding process, liaising with Trust colleagues on grant applications and awards.

The post holder will work closely with fundraising teams to support donor asks and ongoing stewardship.

They will also support the Grants Manager in developing systems and processes for effective grant management, including maintaining up-to-date records on Salesforce.

Main Duties / Tasks

Grant Programme Delivery & Oversight

• Oversee application pipelines and grant status, ensuring efficient progression and escalating issues where required
• Monitor applications in development, ensuring alignment with Charity priorities and Theory of Change model
• Support small grants assessment meetings, including follow-up actions such as applicant liaison and issuing grant letters
• Respond to enquiries from grant holders, managing or escalating risks and underperformance
• Ensure fundraising teams are kept informed where external funds are attached to grants

Applicant & Stakeholder Support

• Act as a primary point of contact for grant applicants, advising on eligibility, criteria and application processes
• Build and maintain effective relationships with Trust staff, charity colleagues and external partners
• Represent the grants team in internal meetings where required

Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Support monitoring of KPIs, including turnaround times, ensuring performance targets are met
• Identify opportunities to improve grant processes, systems and documentation
• Share learning and best practice across the charity

Programme Development

• Contribute to the development of grant programmes aligned with Charity priorities
• Support creation and improvement of applicant guidance and programme materials
• Work collaboratively with Impact & Insights colleagues to support a one-team approach

Other Duties

• Act as an ambassador for Alder Hey Children s Charity in line with organisational values
• Contribute positively to the wider team and support fundraising events where required
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by your line manager

Person Specification

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• Experience in the charity, voluntary, public or philanthropic sector, ideally in a grants or programme role
• Knowledge of assessing grant or funding applications, including reviewing proposals and budgets
• Experience of administration and management processes, including record keeping, due diligence and reporting
• Experience using databases or grant management systems
• Experience managing multiple applications or projects to deadlines
• Understanding of governance and good practice in grant awarding and reporting
• Understanding of the charity and funding landscape

Desirable:

• Experience in a grant-making organisation, foundation or trust
• Experience supporting panels, committees or trustees
• Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM systems

Skills and Attributes

Essential:

• Commitment to equity, diversity and collaborative working
• Strong analytical and numerical skills
• Clear and concise written communication skills
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Self-motivated with a positive, flexible approach
• High attention to detail
• Good judgement and integrity
• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute to shared learning
• Ability to line manage and support a Grants Assistant
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office and database systems

Desirable:

• Advanced Excel skills
• Experience improving grant processes or systems
• Experience building relationships with applicants and grantees
• Interest in developing grant-making practice

Additional Requirements

Essential:

• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Strong interest in working for a children s health charity
• Commitment to the values of Alder Hey Children s Charity
• Willingness to support wider charity activities
• Willingness to occasionally work outside normal office hours

Our Values

At Alder Hey Children s Charity, our values guide how we work. Being courageous, working together, showing passion and embracing creativity enables us to support the hospital in delivering the very best care for young patients and their families.

Courage
We try new things, take risks and innovate. We speak up, take accountability and act with responsibility.

Together
We work as one team, sharing knowledge and learning. We partner with patients, families, supporters and colleagues.

Passion
We are passionate about what we do and inspire others.

Magic
We are creative, fun and child-led, creating special moments and going the extra mile.

Additional Information

In April 2025, the charity adopted a four-day working week policy. Staff previously working 37.5 hours now work 30 hours across four days, maintaining full pay while supporting a better work-life balance.

This job description outlines the general nature of the role and is not exhaustive. It may be subject to change in line with organisational needs.

Alder Hey Children s Charity will make reasonable adjustments where required and is committed to equal opportunities and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

The post holder will be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check.