Program Manager

About us: the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation 

In 1962, Sir Vincent Fairfax established a family charitable trust, which would later become the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation. Today, VFFF is a thriving family foundation, with family members spanning three generations active in our current work. VFFF have distributed more than $195 million to Australian communities and currently distribute approximately $10 million per annum in new grants. VFFF aims for 60% of funds to reach rural and regional communities. VFFF provide core operational funding and capacity building support for high potential organisations, especially during critical times of transition or development.  

The Opportunity

The Program Manager has an opportunity to successfully lead a focus area, identifying and executing innovative and impactful grant making within VFFF’s mission and priorities. The Program Manager represents VFFF externally, engaging across sectors and seeks opportunities to support VFFF’s leadership in philanthropy. The Program Manager is to report into the Foundation Manager and work closely with the Chief Executive Officer, all VFFF team members and senior members of the Family Office Team.

Key Responsibilities of the Program Manager

1. Managment and Grant Making

• Work closely with industry, employer and government bodies, aligned for-purpose organisations and other stakeholders 
• Proactively identify and develop grantmaking leads to support VFFF’s mission and outcomes 
• Defining the evidence base for future granting 
• Measure the progress that VFFF makes against outcomes
• Develop effective relationships with grant seekers and grantees and prepare high quality information to inform grantmaking and reporting
• Conduct due diligence and analysis of funding opportunities and develop Board submissions
• Develop recommendations which are considered, concise and well written
• Assess outcomes to identify learnings, inform future grant making and strategy and progress against focus area outcomes

2. Relationship Managment and Sector Engagement

• Represent VFFF and support its leadership role in philanthropy
• Develop and support relationships and networks relevant to the goals and outcomes of VFFF 
• Spend time in regional areas to develop leads and build relationships with potential grant seekers and recipients and other stakeholders
• Work with other funders for enhanced program outcomes and to amplify the work of VFFF grant recipients
• Foster and support Fairfax family member involvement with philanthropy through site visits, briefings and other engagement with grantees. 

3. Organisational Support

• Manage allocated portfolios and ad hoc projects as agreed with the CEO and Foundation Manager including research into issues and special initiatives
• Contribute to the smooth running of VFFF’s day to day work - Board and Committee papers, annual reporting, outcomes analysis and internal and external communications.
• Share content knowledge and provide guidance to the Grants Officer  

About you

• 3 years experience in a similar role
• Preference for degree level qualification preferably in business, journalism, community development, social sciences, research. Experience with web-based platforms advantageous
• Extensive experience in the scoping and/or implementation of employment policies or programs 
• Proven experience in building relationships and networks and working effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively with employment stakeholders such as industry bodies, employer groups, government and/or other philanthropy organisations 
• An understanding of philanthropy and effective grantmaking practice
• High level interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills
• High level research, analytical and critical thinking skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively and produce high quality work within agreed timelines
• High levels of confidentiality, personal integrity and respect for people