Grants Officer

All Opportunities

Royal Variety Charity

Grants Officer

Twickenham

£35,000 to £40,000

Ambition

The Royal Variety Charity is trying to ensure that no one who has contributed to the entertainment industry is left without support when they need it most.

Our ambition goes far beyond simply administering grants—it’s about providing a safety net with dignity, compassion, and continuity for people whose careers are often freelance, precarious, and lacking long-term security.

Through this Grants Officer role, we are aiming to strengthen a system that identifies individuals in need earlier, responds more effectively, and delivers more holistic support. That means not just financial assistance, but also access to mental health services, care provision, and coordinated help through partnerships with other organisations. Treating each beneficiary as a whole person, not just a case—understanding their circumstances deeply and tailoring support accordingly.

Intro

The Royal Variety Charity is seeking a dedicated and empathetic Grants Officer to play a central role in delivering vital support to individuals from across the entertainment industry.

Acting as the first point of contact for grant enquiries, the postholder will guide applicants through the process of accessing financial assistance, mental health support, and care services. This role combines compassionate casework with rigorous assessment, working closely with internal committees and partners to ensure timely, fair, and impactful support for those in need.

It is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference within a respected charity committed to supporting those who have contributed to the UK’s creative life.

Purpose

Our ambition is both practical and moral. We want to build a trusted, responsive support system that honours the contribution of people in entertainment by being there for them in times of vulnerability—quietly, effectively, and with genuine care, making the grants process more robust, consistent, and evidence-based. By improving how applications are assessed, tracked, and presented to decision-makers, we are working towards faster, fairer, and more transparent outcomes.

We are also looking trying to extend our reach and relevance in a changing industry. The inclusion of mental health support and partnership working suggests an ambition to evolve beyond traditional benevolence into a more modern, responsive welfare organisation. We want to ensure that support keeps pace with the realities of today’s entertainment workforce—where issues like mental health, financial instability, and later-life care are increasingly prominent.

Career Level

Management

Qualification

Degree educated, with evidence of continuing professional developmenmt.

Specialisation

Grants

Responsibilities

Act as the first point of contact for all RVC grant and support enquiries, covering financial assistance, mental health support, and funding for our care home, providing advice and guidance via telephone and email.
Build and maintain trusting relationships with beneficiaries, supporting them throughout the application process.
Review and process grant applications, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and eligibility (including mental health and care-related funding).
Investigate applications thoroughly, assessing need and gathering a full understanding of applicants’ circumstances through direct communication.
Maintain accurate, confidential, and compliant records of enquiries, applications, decisions, and awards in line with data protection requirements and Salesforce Procedures.
Track application progress and ensure timely processing and decision-making.
Produce clear, evidence-based recommendations and maintain the Schedule of Cases for the Sub Committees and Head of Operations on a monthly basis.
Service and attend Grants Sub-Committee meetings, preparing high-quality reports for Executive Committee meetings and drafting letters.
Monitor and update monthly beneficiaries’ BACS payments, sending to the Chairs of the Grants Sub Committee & Mental Health Sub-Committee for approval before submitting to the Finance Director.
Liaise with internal teams and external partners (e.g. charities and benevolent funds) to ensure comprehensive casework and coordinated support.
Process grants, payments/awards, and liaise with Finance as required.
Support referrals and admissions into the charity-run care home where appropriate.
Contribute to awareness-raising by preparing case histories, articles, and supporting agreed projects.
Identify opportunities for partnership working to enhance support for beneficiaries.
Undertake additional duties as required by the Chairs of the Grants Sub-Committee and Mental Health Sub-Committee, and/or additional duties as required for the smooth operation of the Charity.

Person Specification

Key Competencies

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, together with an ability to demonstrate empathy and diplomacy.
Confident in dealing with a range of sensitive and emotive welfare issues, which can include mental health challenges.
Methodical, diligent and having a keen eye for detail when collating information.
Excellent use of IT, including Excel, Word, and knowledge of CRM systems (Salesforce ideally).
Capable of prioritising own tasks.
Ability to remain calm, patient and focused when under pressure.
Able to work in a small team environment.

Desirable

Professional experience as a Caseworker/Grants Officer.
In possession of a full UK driving licence with access to own vehicle.
DBS Check (however this will be undertaken on your behalf if not already in place)

Organisation Profile

The Royal Variety Charity is one of the UK’s longest-established entertainment charities, founded in 1908 to support those who have worked professionally in the industry and later face hardship. Originally created as the Variety Artistes’ Benevolent Fund, it was established by members of the entertainment community to provide financial assistance, pensions, and care for performers and backstage workers affected by illness, poverty, or old age.

Based in Twickenham, the charity continues to offer nationwide support through grants and welfare services, helping individuals of all ages who have contributed to the industry, whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in associated roles. It also owns and operates Brinsworth House, a residential and nursing care home dedicated to retired entertainers.

A defining feature of the charity is its long-standing relationship with the British Royal Family. Since 1921, it has enjoyed continuous royal patronage, currently held by King Charles III, reflecting national recognition of both the entertainment industry and those who sustain it.

The charity is arguably best known for the annual Royal Variety Performance, a major fundraising event attended by senior royals and watched by millions worldwide. Today, the organisation remains committed to providing practical, compassionate support to an often overlooked workforce whose careers can be financially uncertain and physically demanding.

Industry Category

Company Size

Apply Now

If you would welcome the opportunity to apply, please forward:

A CV outlining your experience, achievements, and academic and professional qualifications.
A cover letter (maximum 2 x A4 pages) demonstrating your motivation, skills, and experience relevant to the role, how you would hope to add value in the role and any other relevant information.

Your application should be sent to our advising consultant, Philip Nelson, via email to philip.nelson@thehiringdept.com.

Please also let us know if you need any special provisions should you be called forward for an interview.

The appointment will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS vetting.

Timetable

Closing Date: Monday 20th April

Interviews: week commencing 27th April

Queries

For an informal and confidential discussion, to ask a question on any aspect of the recruitment process, or for additional information, please get in touch with our advising consultant, Philip Nelson, on 020 3590 9978 or via email at philip.nelson@thehiringdept.com

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13 Tavistock Place, London, England, WC1H 9SH

philip.nelson@thehiringdept.com

020 3590 9978

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Company number: 13800171
Registered office: 13 Tavistock Place, London, England, WC1H 9SH

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London, England, WC1H 9SH