Project Manager

Active Communities Network are launching a new project, The ACN Way, which will be delivered across the UK. This project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund for five years starting October 1st 2024. The project will build a network of 500 groups aiming to be better connected, unified and more vocal with the overall aim of being actively involved in decision making and are better understood by policy makers and commissioners.

The Project Manager role is a new post that has been created to ensure the wider UK team and collective of grassroots community groups are serviced and have a dedicated point of contact. The role can be based in either our London or Belfast office with an expectation to travel to other locations throughout the UK. The role will co-ordinate the day to day needs of the team, working with them on an events and networking schedule from concept to execution and work with the CEOs to build a new platform for information exchange, learning and supporting grassroots groups in the network.

The post will also support the CEOs with their engagement, communications and lobbying external bodies such as MPs, Civil Service staff, regional and local commissioners/decision makers. The Project Manager will play an instrumental role in building the network of grassroots groups which will work to close the gap between policymakers and these groups that are working daily at grassroots level with the goal of tackling inequality.

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Develop and maintain partnerships with the grassroots community groups within each area. Ensuring these groups are supported by the organisation and are connected with their point of contact.
• Co-ordinate the day-to-day roles of the regional staff and support them to develop and implement networking and events schedules. Work alongside regional staff to support the grassroots organisations within the network.
• Oversee all programme data ensuring the collection of programme data is taking place and analyse the data to identify areas of impact and improvement within the programme. Ensuring that the project is delivering against its contracted outcomes.
• Support regional leads to work with grassroot community partners and to build their capabilities, skills and confidence within the role.
• Work alongside the CEOs to build and develop a platform for exchanging information and for learning. Identify funding opportunities that will allow further growth and contribute to the sustainability of the project.
• Work with Regional Leads, CEOs and grassroot partners to evaluate the operations of the project and to identify process improvements that can support the project to be as effective as possible.