Job info	Job info details
Job title	Culture & Heritage Grant Writer
Strategic team/Directorate	Pride in Place
Service	Culture & Events
Business unit	Culture & Events
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Strategic Lead for Culture & Heritage
Accountable to (line manager)	Strategic Lead for Culture & Heritage
Salary grade	J
JE ref	PLA057

1. Key purpose of job

• To lead on the preparation and submission of complex funding applications in support of Torbay’s natural and cultural heritage, specifically applying to: Heritage Places (via the National Lottery Heritage Fund), Historic England, Arts Council England, and other public and private funding bodies.
• To Identify local, national and international opportunities for place-based regeneration funding and to prepare and submit high quality bid applications and to provide advice and support to community based organisations wishing to prepare grant applications to the Torbay Heritage Place programme and Arts Council England.  
• Develop a strategic funding pipeline which is aligned with priorities as set out in Torbay Council’s Community & Corporate Plan and the Torbay Heritage Strategy (2020 – 2026).

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• Torbay receives a minimum of £3m in external funding for heritage and the arts by 2029.
• Torbay’s residents and visitors experience visible, tangible improvements to the built, natural, and cultural heritage of Torbay.
• Torbay’s community cultural organisations receive increased revenue funding for projects intended to address social inclusion and health and well-being, making them more resilient in the future.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
• Lead the development of high-quality, compelling funding bids for heritage conservation, cultural programming, public engagement, and capital works.
• Responsible for the production of in-depth and high quality persuasive narratives, support documents, project plans, budgets, and evaluation frameworks, clearly defining how each bid aligns with Torbay Council’s Corporate Strategies.
• Undertake all necessary research required, collaborating with project leads, curators, architects, conservation specialists, finance teams, and community partners to gather necessary information.
• Ensure applications are of a high quality and reflect best practice in heritage management, environmental sustainability, community engagement, and inclusive place-shaping.
• Build strong relationships with funders, heritage bodies, consultants, and partner organisations and support cross-sector partnerships, including voluntary groups, cultural organisations, local businesses, and community associations.
• Facilitate in-depth co-design and consultation processes that ensure projects accurately reflect community needs and heritage values. 

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• Prepare complex grant specific budgets as needed for grant applications, demonstrating value for the funder and realistic delivery of specific projects. Budgets will vary depending on the project but will typically vary between £30,000 and £250,000.
• Contribute to project scoping, timelines, risk assessments, and outcomes planning to strengthen bids.
• Ensure that all funded projects are well supported in relation to reporting, claims, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure all documentation aligns with legislative, conservation, governance, and procurement standards.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Hybrid working environment – sometimes based at Tor Hill House with the Culture & Events team, sometimes based at home. Pattern of work to be negotiated at interview.
• Some outdoor/off site working required, e.g., at community based cultural organisations or events intended to support grassroots cultural and heritage partners (which could be in all weathers, e.g., Air Show). 
• Occasional evening work at locations across Torbay yet to be determined, e.g., where grants are awarded for projects that might involve creating evening events.

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical effort. 

8. Specific resources used by the post

• Regular use of computers and a mobile phone. 

9. Key contacts and relationships

External: 

• Consultants. 
• Contractors. 
• Key Partners. 
• Stakeholders. 
• General Public. 
• Media. 
• National Lottery Heritage Fund and other public funders. 
• Grant applicants and recipients. 

Internal: 

• Elected Members. 
• Other Council Officers. 

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

• All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children’s Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
• The post is eligible for hybrid working.
• As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council. 

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Culture & Heritage Grant Writer
Strategic team/Directorate	Pride in Place
Service	Culture & Events
Business unit	Culture & Events

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, persuasive narratives.
• Proven ability to manage and develop complex budgets, workplans, and project documentation.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities, multiple deadlines and work independently.
• Strong research and written skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate strategically with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent project management skills and understanding of Microsoft Office 365. 
• The ability to produce and maintain accurate records and reports. 
• The ability to think creatively and in a solution focused way.
• The ability to manage complex project risks and issues effectively.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and public-facing community events. 
• Ability to converse at ease face to face with members of the public in a friendly and professional manner.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• Experience of having delivered projects funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. 
• Proven experience of working with community groups from a variety of educational backgrounds. 

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Detailed knowledge of the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s funding principles and the Heritage Place programme. 
• Significant knowledge of the Arts Council England’s funding priorities and the project grant process. 
• Good knowledge of the Torbay Community & Corporate Plan and the Torbay Heritage Strategy, 2020-2026. 
• Working knowledge of heritage management, environmental sustainability, community engagement, and inclusive place-shaping. 
• Working knowledge of community arts, culture, and heritage and the challenges faced in the current economic climate. 
• Full understanding of heritage conservation principles, heritage asset management, and community-led cultural engagement. 

Desirable knowledge

• Good understanding of local government procurement processes. 
• Good understanding of Torbay’s socioeconomic challenges and opportunities. 

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Demonstrable experience preparing and securing complex funding applications for the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England and/or other public funding bodies and place-based regeneration funds.
• Significant experience working with a wide range of community partners on collaborative bids for funding. 

Desirable experience and achievements

• Experience working with or for grassroots organisations focused on heritage or arts and culture. 
• Previous experience working in local government. 
• Good contacts in arts and heritage across the South West. 

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience. 
• Professional Membership e.g. with Chartered Institute of Fundraisers. 

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to Masters degree level. 
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraisers. 

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. 
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties. 
• Ability to accommodate unsociable hours. 
• Ability to accommodate occasional home-working. 

Thanks to National Lottery players