We are hiring – Program and Impact Manager

The Geelong Community Foundation is recruiting a Program and Impact Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to build on the Foundation’s grant program that has provided more than $15m in grants to community organisations since inception in 2001.

The ideal candidate for this role will have considerable experience in community development, working within the community and or philanthropic sectors.

The Program and Impact Manager is responsible for reviewing and managing all Foundation grant programs in conjunction with the CEO and Board Grants Committee, preparing application documents through to engaging with community organisation applicants, successful grant recipients and unsuccessful grant applicants.

Applicants will have strong communication skills that enable them to build effective relationships with our community partners. Awareness of community issues, needs and identification and analysis of data that informs the grantmaking process will be high on their list of skills and knowledge.

This is a flexible part time position, 3 days per week, (0.6 FTE) based in Geelong.

Duties and Accountabilities

Grant Program Design

• Provide advice and support to the Grants Committee and Board regarding a strong and effective grant program.
• Develop and implement collaborative grant and funding strategies and activities that assist the Foundation to achieve its strategic objectives.
• Review the grantmaking policy annually to ensure systems, policies and procedures are effective.
• Review application and acquittal templates to ensure effectiveness and alignment with best practice.

Grant Program Management

• Maintain the Foundation’s community organisation database to ensure current information.
• Engage with community organisations to ensure quality grant applications are received.
• Undertake review and assessment of grant applications and support the Foundation’s Grants Committee to determine funding priorities.
• Prepare grant agreements and communicate the outcome of grant opportunities to grant applicants.
• Engage with Grant Partners to support effective delivery of the grant including ensuring compliance with the Foundation’s grant agreement.
• Identify professional development opportunities for community organisations which may include grant writing, governance, strategic planning, theory of change, impact and outcomes measurement etc.

Impact Measurement

• Review reports and acquittals to understand the impact of applicant activities.
• Develop processes and systems to aggregate impact data across grants.

Communications and Engagement

• Coordinate and update content and stories for the Foundation’s external communication channels regarding grant opportunities and funded community organisation projects.
• Identify opportunities for communicating the impact of the Foundation’s grantmaking activities.
• Identify and facilitate communications celebrating the activities and impact of the Foundation’s Grant Partners.
• Assist with and undertake stakeholder engagement and consultation to advise and assist relevant Foundation Board Committees.

Vital Signs

• Support the development of the Vital Signs Report to understand strengths and weakness within our community including identifying data sources, data analysis, synthesis of data and narrative development.
• Support the CEO in facilitating Vital Conversations with the community to take a deeper dive into key data points and identify strategic opportunities for grantmaking.

Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with the Development Manager to identify information on community need and grants impact to drive donor engagement activities.
• Work collaboratively with the Foundation staff to support the planning and delivery of key events.
• Support the CEO in facilitating the Geelong Funders Collaborative and maximising collaborative opportunities with other funders.

Skills and Experience

• Considerable experience in community development, working within the community and/or philanthropic sectors, including grant administration, is highly desirable.
• Strong connection to and interest in philanthropy and community wellbeing is essential.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, strong people skills with a focus on relationship development.
• Strategic focus and experience with the capacity to facilitate discussion, effectively engage stakeholders and support change, development and growth in community programs.
• Have a strong understanding of the demographic and social trends in the region.
• Highly organised with strong time management skills and ability to work with tight timelines and deadlines.
• A collaborator, independent thinker with a proactive can-do attitude.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of products, Salesforce and Form Assembly or similar grant programs is highly desirable.
• Strong focus on confidentiality and transparency.
• A current driving licence.

The position would suit an experienced practitioner who may be looking to reduce hours and or make a ‘sea change’ move to our beautiful region that has so much to offer.

If you’d like to have a conversation about the opportunity, please contact, Amy Waters, CEO, on 0413 868 721.

Ideally, the Foundation would like to have the Program and Impact Manager engaged in their role in early November 2024.

Applications, including Resume and Cover Letter, are to be emailed to amy@geelongfoundation.org and should be submitted by 11:59pm Sunday 22 September.