At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a transformative research funding programme for children with cancer.
- Company: Children with Cancer UK, a charity dedicated to funding vital research.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a passionate team and play a key role in advancing crucial research.
- Why this job: Shape impactful funding initiatives and improve outcomes for children affected by cancer.
- Qualifications: Experience in research funding operations within a medical research charity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
Could you build the foundations of a research funding programme from the ground up? Since 1988, Children with Cancer UK has raised more than £300 million and has funded over 200 research projects for children and young people with cancer. We're now embarking on a brand-new phase, transforming how we fund future research projects and measure and evidence the real-world impact of every pound we invest. Lived experience will be positioned at the heart of our decisions as we develop new funding initiatives, strengthen our relationships with the research community, and expand opportunities for collaboration.
As Research Manager, you'll lead the operational delivery of our research programme, shape our grant processes, oversee the portfolio and build our research impact monitoring systems from scratch across a programme of around £5 million a year and 50 active grants. You will also line manage a Research Funding Officer and a Research Impact and Engagement Officer. This highly impactful role is ideal for someone who is excited by the opportunity to strengthen and modernise how funding is delivered in an area of huge unmet need and enormous potential. You will have well-defined experience in research funding operations and delivery in the medical research charity sector, with the desire to take ownership of a growing and ambitious research portfolio and play a central role in supporting the programme’s continued development.
What you'll build:
- New funding initiatives: Deliver the next phase of our research funding programme as we build on and diversify our open grant round and introduce 2-3 new, targeted funding mechanisms a year. You'll work with the Head of Research to scope who each call targets and how it's structured, then coordinate putting it into practice.
- Impact monitoring from scratch: Lead and shape the development of the charity's approach to research impact and evaluation, have it running within your first year, and support the Research Impact and Engagement Officer to deliver it.
- Meaningful patient and public involvement: Grow the existing light-touch lay review process into PPI that shapes funding decisions.
- Strong foundations: Lead the operational delivery of every grant round, from applications and peer review to panels and funding recommendations for our committees, while owning peer review and grant management procedures and deliver in line with AMRC best practice.
Your team: Reporting into a Head of Research, you will manage two new officers, a Research Funding Officer and a Research Impact and Engagement Officer, playing a part in their recruitment. You'll also oversee how research works with the Marketing, Communications and Fundraising teams on case studies, lab visits and research news.
What your first year looks like: In your first three months, you'll take ownership of the operational delivery of our existing funding programme, launch a new funding call and begin working with the Head of Research on the development of new funding initiatives. Using your own judgement on day-to-day grant management and operations, you'll design how rounds are run, how processes improve, and how new funding initiatives can be effectively delivered. Significant and strategic decisions sit with the Head of Research who sets strategy and holds the budget, and you'll contribute your ideas and expertise to support the development of the strategy and the research programme, collaborating on shaping the charity's next research strategy together. By the end of your first year, you'll have strengthened our research funding processes, established the foundations for effective impact monitoring, and have played a key role in shaping and delivering the next phase of our research programme.
About you: You've worked in research funding within a UK medical research charity, and you will have first-hand experience of peer review and grant management. You may be a Research or Grants Manager, or a senior officer ready to step up. Either way, you want a role with more scope than running an established process.
You will bring:
- A degree in biology, biomedical science or a related field, with enough grounding to understand the scientific landscape and identify the right peer reviewers.
- Experience of patient and public involvement in research, such as running lay review within funding rounds.
- Confidence working with researchers, clinicians, committees and advisory panels.
- Excellent organisation and judgement, and the initiative to take ownership of something new.
- Line management experience.
A PhD or MSc, research experience, FlexiGrant or other grant management software is desirable, but not essential. If you have a passion for improving outcomes for children affected by cancer and can establish strong operational foundations, take ownership of grant funding delivery, and help grow this crucial programme, we would love to hear from you.
Please note this role is Hybrid with 3 days in our office based in Holborn, London.
Research Manager in London employer: Hire Purpose Ltd
Join a compassionate and supportive team as a Deputy Manager in Hitchin, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children in a small, nurturing environment. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, including 24/7 Bupa counselling and bonuses, alongside a clear pathway for career progression into leadership roles. Experience a work culture that values stability, consistency, and professional growth, making it an excellent place for dedicated individuals seeking rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Manager in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Hire Purpose Ltd.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Hire Purpose Ltd.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Hire Purpose Ltd.
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We think you need these skills to ace Research Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Hire Purpose Ltd. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Research Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hire Purpose Ltd
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Hire Purpose Ltd. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
