Strategic Content & Funding Proposals Manager (open to the UK and Europe)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Strategic Content & Funding Proposals Manager (open to the UK and Europe)

🔹 Company: Climate Arc

🔹 Location: Remote (open to the UK and Europe)

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Philanthropic Fundraising Services

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-25

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Crafting high-quality, compelling funding proposals and external narratives to drive Climate Arc’s strategic positioning and fundraising success.
• Collaborating with various teams to develop persuasive materials that effectively communicate Arc’s mission and insights.
• Researching and identifying strategic funding opportunities from philanthropic foundations, corporate funders, and individual funders aligned with Arc’s mission and goals.
• Developing and managing a central library of proposal templates, language, and core content to streamline proposal generation and ensure quality and consistency.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong strategic thinker with excellent writing skills and a deep understanding of what motivates funders and external stakeholders.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Research and identify strategic funding opportunities from philanthropic foundations, corporate funders, and individual funders aligned with Arc’s mission and goals.

✅ Lead the development of persuasive concept notes, proposals, reports, decks, and other donor-facing materials—ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with Arc’s strategy and voice.

✅ Develop and manage a central library of proposal templates, language, and core content, streamlining proposal generation and ensuring quality and consistency.

✅ Tailor messaging to diverse audiences - from grant reviewers to high-level donors - adapting tone and format for maximum impact, while ensuring a clear and consistent message.

✅ Work closely with program managers, leadership, and other departments to gather the necessary data and insights to craft winning proposals and presentations.

✅ Maintain an up-to-date calendar of grant opportunities, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure timely submissions.

✅ Conduct in-depth research to support proposal development and storytelling, including data gathering, case studies, and background information that strengthen the case for funding.

✅ Monitor and synthesize developments in the climate finance and philanthropy landscape to inform proposal strategy and positioning.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration and requires strong project management skills to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Communications, English, Journalism, or a related discipline).

Experience: Proven experience (2-5 years) in grant writing, strategic communications, or proposal development, ideally within the climate, nature, or environment sectors.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills—able to distill complex, technical concepts into engaging and accessible narratives.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and collaboratively with diverse teams and senior stakeholders.
• Interest in or experience with climate change, finance, policy, or systems-level change.

Preferred Skills:

• Fluency in additional languages.
• Experience working with philanthropic foundations or corporate funders.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the climate or environment sectors will have a strong understanding of the relevant context and stakeholders.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £50,000 - £70,000 per year (depending on experience, location, and demonstrated capability). If the successful candidate is based outside of the UK, local benchmarking will be conducted to determine salary based on Arc's Reward Framework.

Benefits:

• 36 days' holiday including public holidays (fully flexible)
• Private medical & dental cover for you and your dependents
• Life assurance 4x basic salary (where available)
• 9% company pension contribution
• Enhanced family pay and leave policies
• Professional development program
• Professional membership paid (if applicable)
• Nomad working policy including allowance up to £250/year

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible working arrangements.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the UK. Final salary offers may vary based on the candidate's experience and skills.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Philanthropic Fundraising Services. Climate Arc works to mainstream climate science into financial decision making – at speed and scale.

Company Size: Small (11-50 employees). This means a more intimate work environment with closer collaboration among teams.

Founded: 2022. Climate Arc is a relatively new organization, offering opportunities for growth and impact.

Company Description:

• Climate Arc builds bridges between the worlds of climate science, companies, and the financial sector, tackling barriers that prevent capital from flowing to net-zero solutions.
• The organization is impartial and staffed by people with deep expertise in the finance, climate, and business worlds.
• Climate Arc is a philanthropic organization, funded by grants and donations from various sources.

Company Specialties:

• Grantmaking and proprietary products and programs delivered by in-house capability.
• Building capacity and networks within the climate finance ecosystem.
• Convening and facilitating collaboration among key stakeholders in the climate finance space.

Company Website: climatearc.org

ASSUMPTION: Climate Arc's focus on climate change and finance makes it an attractive option for candidates interested in driving systemic change in these areas.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level. This role offers opportunities for growth and development within the organization and the broader climate finance ecosystem.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Development.

Work Arrangement: Remote OK. This role can be performed remotely, with a flexible work arrangement that allows for a healthy work-life balance.

Growth Opportunities:

• Expanding the role's scope as the organization grows and evolves.
• Developing expertise in climate finance and philanthropy, with opportunities to contribute to thought leadership and strategic initiatives.
• Building relationships with key stakeholders in the climate finance ecosystem, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for candidates interested in developing their careers in climate finance and philanthropy.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Remote-first. Climate Arc offers a remote-first working option, with the opportunity to work from anywhere in the UK or Europe.

Office Location(s): London, San Francisco, and Zurich. While this role is remote, there may be opportunities to collaborate with team members in these locations.

Geographic Context:

• The UK and Europe have vibrant climate finance ecosystems, with numerous opportunities for collaboration and growth.
• Working remotely allows for a better work-life balance and the opportunity to live in a location that suits the candidate's personal preferences.
• The organization's global presence enables collaboration with teams and stakeholders across time zones.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible working arrangements. Climate Arc offers a flexible work schedule that allows employees to balance their personal and professional lives.

ASSUMPTION: The remote-first work environment offers candidates the opportunity to work from anywhere in the UK or Europe, with the flexibility to balance work and personal commitments.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Application review (applications that do not include a full cover letter will not be considered)
• 1st round interview: Recruiting Manager (30 to 45 minute MS Teams video call)
• Offline task (1-2 hours)
• Formal interview (in person or MS Teams) with the Hiring Manager and panel (1 hour)

Key Assessment Areas:

• Writing and storytelling skills
• Project management and organizational skills
• Collaboration and communication skills
• Understanding of climate finance and philanthropy

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Demonstrate your understanding of climate finance and philanthropy in your application materials.
• Prepare for the interview by researching Climate Arc and the climate finance landscape, and be ready to discuss your alignment with the organization's mission and values.

ATS Keywords: Grant writing, strategic communications, proposal development, writing excellence, project management, organizational skills, collaboration, research, storytelling, climate change, finance, policy, systems-level change

ASSUMPTION: The interview process is designed to assess the candidate's skills and fit for the role, with a focus on writing and communication skills, project management, and collaboration.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Teams (for collaboration and communication)
• Google Workspace (for document creation and sharing)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Microsoft Project)
• Research and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, R, or Python)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for many organizations, with a focus on collaboration, communication, and project management.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Impact-driven
• Collaborative
• Inclusive
• Adaptable
• Expert

Work Style:

• Remote-first and flexible
• Results-driven and accountable
• Curious and open to learning
• Adaptable and resilient
• Collaborative and team-oriented

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a remote work environment and enjoy the flexibility it offers?
• Are you comfortable working collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders?
• Do you have a strong commitment to driving impact and making a difference in the climate finance space?

ASSUMPTION: Climate Arc values candidates who are adaptable, collaborative, and committed to driving impact in the climate finance ecosystem.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously, with tight deadlines.
• Candidates may need to quickly familiarize themselves with the organization's mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• The role may require travel for meetings and events, depending on the organization's needs and the candidate's location.
• Candidates may need to navigate the complexities of the philanthropic landscape and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong project management skills, a commitment to learning and adaptation, and a willingness to engage with diverse stakeholders.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Strategic Communications Manager or a Grant Writer, but with a stronger focus on proposal development and strategic positioning.
• Unlike many roles in the philanthropic sector, this role offers the opportunity to work remotely and with a global team.
• This role offers significant growth potential for candidates interested in developing their careers in climate finance and philanthropy.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role and how it aligns with their career goals and personal preferences.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive proposal for a major philanthropic foundation to support a new initiative focused on mainstreaming climate science into financial decision making.
• Creating a series of thought leadership articles and blog posts to raise awareness of the importance of climate finance and the work of Climate Arc.
• Conducting research on the philanthropic landscape to identify new funding opportunities and inform the organization's strategic positioning.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and the level of strategic thinking required for this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the organization's overall strategy and mission?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does the organization support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the organization's approach to collaboration and communication in a remote work environment?
• How does the organization measure the success of this role and the impact of its work?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates understand the organization's priorities, culture, and approach to professional development.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Prepare for the interview by researching Climate Arc and the climate finance landscape, and be ready to discuss your alignment with the organization's mission and values.
• Follow up with the hiring manager after the interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.
• If you are selected for the role, be prepared to complete an offline task and participate in a formal interview with the hiring manager and panel.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.