Senior Research Funding Manager

The Research & Partnerships Directorate is a fast-paced, collaborative team committed to achieving Alzheimer’s Research UK’s vision. The Directorate has responsibility for delivering on the charity’s principal remit: funding world-class research to ultimately defeat dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK funds dementia research through a large portfolio of investigator-led grant awards, research fellowships and strategic initiatives within the UK and increasingly internationally.

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

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.

• Foster and deepen relationships with the global dementia research community, with support of the Research Engagement team, ensuring ARUK remains a trusted leader in funding excellence.
• Provide oversight and functional leadership for research operations across distinctive functions: pre-award, post-award (including invoicing and reporting), and grant system management, ensuring clear ownership, robust processes and alignment with organisational goals and long-term impact.
• Oversee the delivery and continuous improvement of grants review, awarding and management processes, ensuring a high-quality applicant and award-holder experience and timely, accurate, audit-ready outputs aligned with best practice, funding policies and ARUK values.
• Lead research funding governance and policy, ensuring clear decision-making, robust guidance (including due diligence and risk management where appropriate), and consistent application of funding requirements across the end-to-end grant lifecycle.
• Provide strategic advice on research funding through horizon scanning and analysis of ARUK’s funding portfolio, identifying gaps/opportunities and shaping options for future funding strategies and schemes.
• Develop and implement new grant schemes and funding initiatives, ensuring alignment with ARUK’s research strategy and the evolving needs of the dementia research community (including early career researchers).
• Build collaborations with leading funding organisations and strategic partners (e.g., AMRC), representing ARUK externally and identifying opportunities to address shared research priorities and drive collective impact.
• Line manage three Research Managers, effectively delegating work to support delivery of their objectives.
• Lead and develop a wider core team of six, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.
• Help promote an inspiring team culture where personal development is prioritised.

• Strong science background, educated to degree level in a relevant subject (preferably with a postgraduate qualification or equivalent work experience).
• Good working knowledge of grant management systems (e.g., Flexigrant).
• 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 to plan, manage and deliver projects; ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks, showing adaptability to meet challenging targets and deadlines.
• Experience of line management, including supporting and developing colleagues and, ideally, managing through others (e.g., managing managers or team leads).
• 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.

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.

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, particularly from those in the global majority, those with disabilities, men and those from the LGBTQIA+ community. Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.