Senior Research Funding Manager

The Senior Research Funding Manager will work closely with the Head of Research Funding, leading a team focussed on delivering our grants management processes. This role is vital in advancing ARUK's research objectives and promoting engagement within with ARUK-funded research community. They will be working collaboratively with the Research Team and with other teams, including the Science Communications team and Philanthropy teams.

This role sits within the Research Funding team in the Research Directorate, an ambitious, supportive and friendly team that funds the best research to transform the lives of people affected by all forms of dementia.  We’re looking for someone with strong research management experience and a good eye for detail who is excited by the opportunities in the dementia research landscape.

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

Strategic Leadership of Grant Funding and Management

·         Foster and deepen relationships with the global dementia research community, with support of the Research Engagement Manager, ensuring ARUK remains a trusted leader in funding excellence.

·         Provide oversight and leadership for ARUK’s grant funding programme, ensuring its alignment with organisational goals and long-term impact.

·         Lead the evolution of ARUK’s grant awarding processes, driving innovation in practices through the grant review panels, ensuring adherence to funding policies and ARUK values.

·         Oversee the operational delivery of grants review and management processes, ensuring they align us with best practice in research review and management

·         Support the Research Grants Manager to enhance the use of the grant management system (Grant Tracker) and robust data integrity by championing continuous improvements.

·         Support the Research Contracts Manager with the development and execution of funding agreements, ensuring efficient, compliant, and streamlined processes with research institutions, in particular for international collaborations

Scientific Strategy and Innovation

·         Gain a thorough understanding of the dementia research landscape, working with the wider Research team to make recommendations to drive the development and delivery of ARUK’s research strategy  

·         Play a significant role in the strategic development and implementation of new grant schemes and funding initiatives, ensuring alignment with ARUK’s research strategy and evolving needs in dementia research, including early career researchers with the Senior Research Manager (Culture and Engagement)

·         Lead the development of collaborations with leading funding organisations, including the AMRC and other strategic partners, identifying opportunities to address shared research priorities and drive collective impact.

·         Provide forward-looking strategic advice on research funding, presenting the Research Leadership team with actionable recommendations for new initiatives, operational efficiencies, and resource allocation to advance ARUK’s mission.

·         Represent ARUK at external events such as national and international research conferences, external talks and wider events in the dementia research field.  

Management Responsibilities: 

·         Line management of a Research Manager, effectively delegating work to support delivery of their objectives 

·         Leadership and development of a team of four, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment

·         Help to promote an inspiring team culture where personal development is prioritised 

What we are looking for:

·         Strong science background, educated to degree level in a relevant subject (preferably with a postgraduate qualification or equivalent work experience)

·         Experience of research grant funding/management 

·         Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills, with experience of building and managing relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, at all levels of seniority.

·         Experience of developing and delivering strategies, ability to spot opportunities and translate these into operational plans, thinking beyond the immediate issue to look at broader topics or themes.

·         Proven ability of planning, managing and delivering projects; ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks, showing adaptability to meet challenging targets and deadlines.

·         Strong communication skills with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences

·         A team player who can collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders internally and externally to deliver

·         Excellent eye for detail with a focus on continuous improvement

·         Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise competing demands

·         Ability to work independently

·         Willingness to travel, including occasional overnight travel

·         Commitment to ARUK’s vision, mission and values

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £53,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 2nd March 2025, with interviews likely to be held week commencing the 17th March 2025. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2024, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement. This is the second consecutive time; we have been awarded a Best Companies 3-star accreditation.

We were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

·         18th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

·         10th in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

·         2nd in the 30 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, we demonstrated our commitment to changing the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace and signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. 

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK