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- Tasks: Manage and deliver the full funding cycle for impactful research grants.
- Company: Join the Huo Family Foundation, a leading grant-giving foundation in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for travel and collaboration across the research community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in world-class research while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and proven experience in funding management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is an exciting new role within HFF Science Team and would suit an individual looking to apply their demonstrable experience of research funding processes, and their knowledge of the research environment and funding landscape. If you’re organised, adaptable and keen to make a positive impact on world-class research, we’d love to hear from you.
ABOUT THE HUO FAMILY FOUNDATION AND ITS SCIENCE PROGRAMME
HFF is a grant-giving foundation based in London. Its mission is to support education, communities and the pursuit of knowledge. The Foundation’s current focus is in three main areas: education; the arts; and science. Since its inception in 2009, it has pledged over $100M to impactful projects in the UK, US and China.
The rapid rise and use of digital technology have permeated much of society and transformed the way many humans interact. There has been a broad array of research efforts, but the full implications - both positive and negative - on human physiology, psychology, behaviour, well-being and mental health remain unclear. We believe there is an opportunity to help advance the research and the field of knowledge in this area.
To this end, since mid-2024, HFF has established and will continue to grow a multi-year research portfolio in the UK and the US on the Effects of the Usage of Digital Technology on Brain Development, Social Behaviours and Mental Health in Children and Young People. In 2025, we ran our first annual call and recently announced the outcome of these awards on our website. For our second annual funding round in 2026, we recently released an open call for proposals.
As we continue to build our funding portfolio through annual funding calls, we are now looking for a Senior Funding Manager to join the small HFF Science Team in a permanent role.
SUMMARY PURPOSE - WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING AND ACHIEVING
The Senior Funding Manager is a newly created role in the HFF Science Team. You will work with the Director of Research and the Senior Programme Officer to administer the Foundation’s science portfolio of grants schemes, awarded grants and associated activities. You will manage and deliver the end-to-end grant application, review and award processes. You will act as a key point of contact for external liaison relating to the schemes. Working with the rest of the team, you will also help to develop and deliver events for Foundation grant holders. The role may require some domestic and international travel, including to meet grant holders for horizon scanning, monitoring and impact assessment purposes. You may also contribute to the Foundation’s wider portfolio of work, and the delivery of our strategy.
IS THIS JOB FOR ME?
This is an exciting new role within HFF Science Team and would suit an individual looking to apply their demonstrable experience of research funding processes, and their knowledge of the research environment and funding landscape. You will lead and deliver the full funding cycle with its complex priorities with confidence. Strong communication, analytical skills and attention to detail are essential, along with the ability to build trusted relationships and work collaboratively. You will be part of a small team, so a pro-active and ‘hands on’ approach to all tasks will be necessary; collaboration and a willingness to support others are essential to success in this role.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Take a leading role on managing a diverse grant portfolio from pre-application to post-award, ensuring robust due diligence, clear communication with applicants, high-quality committee preparation, supporting good governance and decision-making, and smooth implementation of funding decisions.
- Provide proactive and collaborative funding operations support to the Science Team and other HFF colleagues.
- Lead, coordinate and deliver funding schemes and calls, setting timelines and workflows, and managing all aspects of associated funding committees to enable efficient, well governed decision making.
- Act as a trusted advisor, offering guidance to applicants and colleagues on funding policies, applicant eligibility, assessment processes, allowable costs and best practice.
- Oversee, coordinate and deliver high quality peer review and governance, selecting appropriate expert reviewers, managing conflicts of interest, ensuring timely and transparent assessments.
- Ensure effective post award grant management and continuous improvement, resolving complex queries, assessing change requests, monitoring compliance and progress, and contributing to process enhancements that support high quality funding operations.
- Partake in monitoring and impact assessment purposes – annual reports, end of grant reports, etc.
- Liaise with other funding organisations, as appropriate, for example, on the operation of joint funding schemes.
- Contribute to the HFF Science’s wider activities, which may include developing and delivering events for HFF grant holders such as a mini conference or workshop. This may require some domestic and international travel.
- Contribute to the Foundation’s wider portfolio of work, including drafting and providing information for papers for meetings of the HFF Trustees.
- Perform any other duties that might be reasonably expected, and which are commensurate with this level of post.
KEY KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED
Education/Qualifications/Knowledge (essential)
- Educated to Bachelor’s degree standard (or equivalent) in a relevant science or public health subject
- A strong understanding of academic research activities in science
- An excellent understanding of procedures and best practice in research funding
Education/Qualifications/Knowledge (desirable)
- Educated to Master’s or PhD standard (or equivalent) in a relevant science or public health subject
Skills (essential)
- Skilled team worker
- Highly numerate with strong analytical skills
- Excellent organisational skills
- Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills
- Good IT (e.g. Microsoft suite, ChatGPT, and online databases) and presentation skills
- Robust stakeholder management skills – ability to quickly build and maintain the trust of internal and external stakeholders at all levels of seniority
Experience (essential)
- Proven experience (at least five years) as a funding manager or similar role
- Experience of delivering research funding processes
- Extensive experience of using a grants management system
- Experience of planning, leading and delivering projects
- Connections and links to other funders and peers across the sector
Experience (desirable)
- Extensive experience of the Flexigrant grants management system
KEY STAFF POLICIES AND BENEFITS
Annual leave allowance of 28 days per year plus
Senior Funding Manager employer: Huo Family Foundation
Contact Detail:
Huo Family Foundation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Funding Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend relevant events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their funding initiatives and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re genuinely interested in making an impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about what you bring to the table and how you can contribute to their mission. A confident and concise introduction can set the tone for a great conversation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Funding Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Senior Funding Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; provide examples of how you've used them in previous roles. We want to see your strong communication and analytical skills in action, so share specific achievements that demonstrate these abilities.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and overly complex language. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make it easy for us to see why you're a great fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Huo Family Foundation
✨Know Your Funding Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into the current research funding landscape. Familiarise yourself with recent trends, key players, and the specific focus areas of the Huo Family Foundation. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a Senior Funding Manager, you'll need to juggle multiple tasks. Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed complex projects or funding cycles. Highlight your ability to set timelines, coordinate teams, and ensure smooth operations – this is your chance to shine!
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you've built relationships with stakeholders and how you handle difficult conversations or conflicts.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about potential challenges in grant management and how you would address them. This could include handling compliance issues or managing conflicts of interest – showing your analytical skills will be key!