Portfolio Operations Manager (21 hours/week, £27,234)

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is an independent social change organisation working to support and speed up the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, where people and planet can flourish. We make grants and invest extensively in projects and partner organisations which are working to achieve the same goals. Through research, policy, collaboration and practical solutions, JRF aims to inspire action and change that will create a prosperous UK without poverty.

Since 2015, JRF has allocated 5% of its endowment for social investments - providing flexible, repayable funding to support organisations which further our mission. To date, we have committed £16.5m across a portfolio of 40 individual investments into social enterprises and impact funds. More recently, JRF has begun to explore how we can extend principles and learnings from our social investment work into new blended finance approaches, as well as in managing our wider endowment. In 2025, we aim to actively take forward this expanded range of activities and increase the pace of growth in our social investment portfolio supported by a larger team.

Hence we are looking to grow our team from three to five dedicated professionals including the addition of a new role of Portfolio Operations Manager. This is a part-time role (21 hours per week) based in York or London (including a hybrid work option) and offers a salary of £27,234 (plus London weighting if applicable).

Key responsibilities include:

• Portfolio Management: manage operational activities across the portfolio, including monitoring of reporting and cash flows. Support negotiation and coordinate execution of investment agreements and consulting contracts.
• Process management: contribute to ongoing development of management and back office systems for our growing portfolio. Support with managing the process for reviewing and triaging new investment applications and support with analysis of data.
• Reporting: maintain, analyse and format portfolio data for internal management and governance, as well as to support the sharing of learnings from JRF’s social investment experience externally.

Essential Qualifications include:

• 3 or more years work experience in a financial operations, or related mid or back-office role. This is a core requirement of the role and may come from a background in investment, other financial services, business, or philanthropy.
• Strong working knowledge of Excel, for example XLOOKUP and pivot tables
• Analytical skills and the ability to present information in a simple way
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to prioritise and respond flexibly to work demands
• Ability to work on own initiative and to work closely as part of a small team
• Good interpersonal skills - the ability to work well with colleagues from different teams and with different priorities in pursuit of a shared goal
• Strong interest in social investment and social enterprise
• Understanding of, commitment to and empathy with the work of JRF

How to apply

If you share our passion and this role sounds like you, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you. Please submit your CV and supporting information via our online application form by clicking Apply!

Closing date for applications is 2nd March 2025.

Interviews will be held in person, with dates available in either London or York on 2-3rd April.

We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward should enough quality applications be received prior to the current closing date.