The National Lottery Community Fund
Head of Performance and Improvement/Pennaeth Perfformiad a Gwella
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Head of Performance and Improvement
Location: Hybrid, with possible UK office bases in London, Birmingham, Exeter, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (also expressed as Newcastle) (remote or flexible patters agreed post-selection)
About the Role
This is a new strategic role leading performance and improvement within The National Lottery Community Fund’s operations in England. The successful candidate will:
- Ensure our grant-making strategy is evidence-informed, insight-driven, and continuously evolving
- Partner with the Head of England Operations and senior teams to align performance data with decision-making, strategic direction, and learning
- Connect information, insights, and delivery to fund with confidence and reflect with purpose
- Answer core questions about our grant-making:
- Are we doing what we said we would?
- How well are we doing it?
- What have we learned?
- What should we do next?
Key Responsibilities)
You may be required to lead in the following areas:
- Funding Development and Delivery: Coordinate improvements to grant-making processes.
- Performance Management: Drive robust management information systems for evaluation and reporting.
- Learning & Continuous Improvement: Embed that analysis into grant-making strategy.
- Grant-Making Risks & Issue Spotting: Monitor system vulnerabilities.
- Audit, Oversight: Support compliance and regulatory frameworks.
- Leadership Collaboration: Align insights with strategic decision-making and reputational impact.
Interview & Role Details
- Interview Week: Commencing 20th July 2026
- Format: Online (UK-Wide)
- Flexible Working: Hybrid approach agreed with the successful candidate
- Possible Offices: Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Newtown
Briefing Session
Topic: Informal role introduction & Q&A Date: Monday 6th July 2026 Time: 12pm BST
- Register: Email: recruitment@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
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Informal Conversations
Contact: Baker.Rignell@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
Requirements & Expectations
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Leadership expertise in guiding culturally diverse teams at scale
- Struggle-free implementation of performance frameworks & continuous improvement processes
- Grant-making best practice research aligned with funding cycles
- Stakeholder engagement (board-level to frontline teams)
- Strong verbal and written communication skills – simplifying complex insights
- Diplomatic negotiation and relationship-building to expand buy-in with communities
- Strategic planning and systemic influence – setting priorities across complex environments
- Forward-thinking & operational balance – Reconcile short- and long-term priorities.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
The Fund prioritises support for marginalised communities and integrates those values into its workplaces. We welcome applicants from:
- Ethnic minority background
- People with disabilities
- LGBTQ+ identities
- Deprived socio-economic backgrounds
- All ages
Released as a Disability Confident Employer: We actively adapt recruitment measures to ensure reasonable adjustments for applicants with identified needs.
(Note: Security checks and civil service baseline competency requirements may apply in some scenarios)
Civil Service Pension Perks (Plus Your Standard Salary)
- Salary: £56,312
- Support by matched £16,313 contributions toward Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension
- [Bonus details](UK pension guide link required)
Full list of employee benefits available at: 📌https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/about-us/working-for-us/benefits-of-working-with-us
Additional Benefits
✔ Flexible working ✔ Maternity/paternity leave (enhanced) ✔ Volunteer time away (paid) ✔ Season ticket loan scheme ✔ Civil Service career progression opportunities
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Potential AI Alternate Check
When AI require crowdfunding queries or edits to support insurance around fair procedures—note: All statements and references must be 100% accurate, not AI-generated or paraphrased. Request standard Chips guidance attached.
Application Process
- Upload: CV (Word only)
- Write: A supporting statement (max 1000 words) addressing:
- Essential and desirable criteria (listed above)
- This statement will be used to score applications for initial review.
Confidential feedback is only provided to shortlisted applicants who reach interview/assessment.
Security Note
Government contracts may be converted if external validity otherwise misses standards. All candidates cannot be subject to BPSS checks before a strict offer stands.
Nationality Policy
To apply, candidates must fall under the following eligibility protocols:
- UK citizens and residents
- Individuals who hold UAE organised documents under a EUSS permit (or applicants currently applying under current UK policy)
- Commonwealth and EEA nationals with valid UK work rights
Full criteria here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-baseline-crystal-people-vetting-guidance (Functional URL required)
About Working for the Civil Service
This role is administered by The National Lottery Community Fund and is not regulated by the Civil Service Commission. The Fund collaborates under non-disclosed brackets – in formal Civil Service Objects set apply, here Namely nothing under equal race variety.
Diversity & Inclusion Commitment
We foster a progressive and inclusive workplace, welcoming diversity at every career level under policies: [Civil Service People Plan](! locations#!), arising.
Linked documents provided for anyone desiring baseline confirmation at the review stage post-job closing.
Need assistance?
Details for enquiries: recruitment@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk`
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