Help us shape the future of community funding across the West of England
Quartet Community Foundation is looking for an experienced, collaborative and forward-thinking Head of Programmes to lead our grant-making and programmes work across Bristol, Bath & North-East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
This is an exciting time to join Quartet. We recently launched our new three-year strategy 2026-9, containing ambitious plans to increase our impact through grant giving, strengthen our understanding of local communities and raise the profile of place-based giving. The strategy outlines how we aim to diversify and strengthen our donor base, driving increasing philanthropic giving, so that we can distribute £6.5 million in grants annually by 2029. As Head of Programmes, you will play a key role in turning that ambition into action.
You will lead and develop our grant-making programmes, ensuring they are informed by community need, insight and evidence and reflect best practice in equitable and accessible funding. You will work closely with local communities, voluntary and community organisations, funders and partners to understand emerging needs and identify opportunities for collaboration and innovation. You will be able to administer funds directed by local authorities and other partners to their specification, bringing a high quality service and repeat “business” to our revenue funding through high quality grant assessment and distribution.
You will also manage and support our experienced Programmes Team, three direct reports, ensuring an environment where they can develop, perform at their best and embody a culture of continual improvement.
About you
You will bring significant experience of grant-making, programme management or community investment, alongside a strong understanding of the voluntary and community sector. You’ll also be a confident and supportive manager, bringing out the best in people and building an effective, collaborative team. You’ll be comfortable working strategically and towards stretch goals, while retaining an eye for excellent operational delivery, governance and detail.
Most importantly, you’ll share our belief in the strength of local communities and our commitment to ensuring that funding is informed by the voices, experiences and priorities of the people and places we serve.
If you’re excited by the opportunity to influence how millions of pounds of charitable funding is invested in communities across the West of England, and to help shape the next chapter of one of the UK’s leading community foundations, we’d love to hear from you.
Hours, Salary & Benefits
Full time – 35 hours per week.
Salary – £46,782
Based in Bristol, with hybrid working and travel across the West of England.
Benefits include 6% employer pension contribution, health benefits scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work scheme, and generous holiday entitlement.
How to apply
Download and read the Job Description (below) for full details.
Please also download the Application Form and Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form.
To apply you will need to send the following documents via email to recruitment@quartetcf.org.uk, referencing ‘Head of Programmes Application’ in the email subject line by Midday Monday 7th September 2026.
- A completed Quartet job Application Formwhich includes your basic details andaddressing point by pointthe ways in which you meet the essential and desirable criteria of the Person Specification found in the Job Description document. You will significantly enhance your chances of being shortlisted if you clearly address each element of the person specification; the panel will mark you application against this criteria.
- An up-to-date CV(max. 2 sides of A4)
- A completed anonymous Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form(this is voluntary)
If you would like to arrange an informal conversation prior to applying, please contact Quartet’s Director of Development via email lucy.saunders@quartetcf.org.uk who will be very happy to arrange to speak with you.
Quartet is a Disability Confident Committed employer, which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any applicant who considers themselves to be disabled and meets the essential criteria listed in the job description is guaranteed an interview. We will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and, where relevant, provide continued support.
All appointments will be subject to pre-appointment checks and a satisfactory DBS check will be a requirement on commencement.
Please note: any applications received which do not meet the requirements outlined above will not be accepted.
Closing date: Midday Monday 7th September 2026
No agencies please