Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Additional Payments: Casual Car Allowance
Closing Date: 22 June 2026
Closing time: 11.59pm
Interview Method: Face to Face
Legal Right to Work: Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
This Role is subject to -
2 References - where possible we require 3 years of employment history
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice). We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.
Casual Car Documentation - The successful candidate will be a designated Casual Car User which means that car journeys may be necessary on an occasional basis, but are not essential to the role. If you do drive, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work, as well as provide all the appropriate documentation. You will receive an allowance per mile of business use.
Help change lives across Manchester – one grant at a time.
We Love MCR Charity is Manchester City Council’s charity, working to improve the lives of residents experiencing poverty, financial hardship and inequality. From emergency support to long‑term community investment, our grants make a real difference where it matters most, empowering young people and communities to thrive.
We are now looking for a Grants Manager to play a pivotal role in delivering our mission.
About the role
As Grants Manager, you will lead the design, delivery and evolution of We Love MCR Charity’s grants programmes. You will ensure funding reaches communities fairly, transparently and impactfully, supporting voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across Manchester to thrive.
This role plays a key part in delivering Manchester City Council’s Our Manchester Strategy 2025–2035, ensuring that grant funding directly supports the city’s long‑term priorities around residents living well, safe and inclusive neighbourhoods, equality of opportunity, and stronger communities. The Grants Manager will translate strategic objectives into practical, impactful funding programmes that respond to real needs across Manchester.
This is a strategic and hands‑on role, ideal for someone who combines strong grant‑making expertise with deep empathy for communities and a passion for social justice.
What you’ll be doing
- Managing the full grants lifecycle – from programme design and application processes to assessment, monitoring and evaluation
- Building strong relationships with community organisations, partners and stakeholders
- Ensuring funding decisions are evidence‑based, inclusive and aligned with our charitable objectives
- Overseeing grant budgets, compliance and reporting requirements
- Using insight and impact data to continuously improve our grant programmes
- Representing We Love MCR Charity at forums, events and partnership meetings
- Supporting the wider programme of charity activities and events
About you
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has proven experience managing grant programmes or funding processes
- Understands the VCSE sector and the barriers faced by communities experiencing hardship
- Is highly organised, analytical and confident working with data and budgets
- Communicates clearly and empathetically with a wide range of stakeholders
- Shares our values of compassion, fairness and community empowerment
Experience in place‑based funding, participatory grant‑making or working with marginalised communities would be particularly welcomed.
Why join We Love MCR Charity?
- Be part of a charity with deep roots in Manchester and a trusted citywide reputation
- Make a tangible difference to people and communities across the city
- Work alongside passionate colleagues and partners who care about social impact
- Enjoy a supportive, values‑led working culture
Ready to help Manchester thrive?
If you’re motivated by impact, collaboration and creating opportunity where it’s needed most, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now and help us continue building a stronger, fairer Manchester for everyone.
For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Simon Wright at 07815 550631 and [email protected] to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.
Key Skills
1. Grant & Programme Management
- Proven experience managing grants across the full lifecycle, from application and assessment to monitoring and closure
- Ability to manage a diverse portfolio of community-based grants, ensuring alignment with We Love MCR’s priorities
- Experience balancing high-volume, small grants alongside larger strategic investments
2. Community & Place-Based Insight
- Strong understanding of Manchester’s communities, voluntary sector, and inequalities
- Ability to assess grassroots organisations and identify where funding will have the greatest local impact
- Commitment to inclusive grant-making and supporting underrepresented groups
3. Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact
- Experience designing and implementing proportionate monitoring frameworks for community grants
- Ability to capture outcomes, impact stories, and social value
- Skilled in translating data and insight into meaningful reporting for trustees, funders, and stakeholders
4. Financial Oversight
- Experience reviewing grant budgets and ensuring appropriate use of funds
- Ability to monitor spend, identify risks, and ensure compliance with funding conditions
- Strong attention to detail in financial and due diligence processes
5. Stakeholder Engagement
- Strong relationship-building skills with community organisations, partners, and civic stakeholders
- Ability to provide supportive grant management, offering guidance to applicants and grantees
- Confident representing the charity across Manchester networks and events
6. Equity & Inclusive Practice
- Understanding of barriers faced by smaller and grassroots organisations
- Experience applying equity-led approaches to funding decisions
- Commitment to fairness, transparency, and accessibility in grant processes
7. Communication
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to produce clear, engaging reports and impact content
- Skilled at explaining funding decisions and processes in a supportive and accessible way
Essential Requirements
- Demonstrable experience in grant management, grant-making, or community programme delivery
- Strong knowledge of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, ideally in Manchester
- Experience working with diverse communities and grassroots organisations
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Strong IT skills, including Excel and grant/CRM systems
- Commitment to the mission and values of We Love MCR Charity
Desirable Requirements
- Experience working in a place-based or community foundation context
- Knowledge of Manchester’s funding landscape and key partners
- Experience in designing or improving grant programmes
- Understanding of safeguarding, due diligence, and risk management in grant-making
- Line management or mentoring experience
Personal Attributes
- Passionate about Manchester and its communities
- Collaborative, approachable, and supportive in working with applicants and partners
- High integrity and commitment to fair decision-making
- Proactive and solutions-focused
- Culturally aware and inclusive in approach
We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits we offer
- Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
- A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
- Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
- Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
- A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
- Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.
Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council
At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.
Support During the Process
- Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
- Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
- Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
- Current or former care leavers
- Have a disability or long-term condition
When You Join Us
We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:
- A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
- Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
- A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.
For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected].
What we will need from you if you're successful
In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
Pre-Employment Checks
If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.
These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.
Other relevant information
We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.
For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
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