Senior Manager, Funding Management - Cells, Systems & Tools

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships. We plan to spend £16bn over the next ten years, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

We are looking for a Senior Manager to join our Research Funding team. Research Funding is responsible for the operational management, governance, and support of all Wellcome’s grant funding activities. This role is in the Funding Management team, which delivers and manages funding schemes, targeted calls, major investments, and one-off applications. We work closely with colleagues in Strategic Programmes, Legal, and Finance to implement funding activities. We manage the full lifecycle of grant applications—from submission and review to award—for Discovery Research and Data for Science and Health. The position reports to the Associate Director of Funding Management.

What will I be doing?

You will lead and develop a team of up to eight Funding Managers to deliver Wellcome’s grant funding activities, ensuring all aspects of grant management are completed on time and to defined standards. In addition, you will act as a business partner, providing expert grant management advice to Strategic Programmes and other colleagues across Wellcome.

• You will lead an integrated, flexible and expert team of Funding Managers, responsible for management of a portfolio of active grants and new applications for Wellcome funding, ensuring that all aspects of grant management are carried out effectively and efficiently, including due diligence, expert review, decision-making, feedback and award.
• You will give sound expert advice in grant management processes, practices and governance, through funding schemes or closed funding calls and targeted discretionary funding, to internal and external stakeholders.
• You will lead the implementation of grant funding activities and mechanisms, through your excellent stakeholder relationships with Strategic Programmes, Finance and Legal and other business partners across Wellcome.
• You will actively monitor the funding demands and flexibly manage resources across your team to balance workload and ensure effective management of the grant portfolio and support of grant holders and applicants.
• You will use operational reports and dashboards to monitor the performance of team members, ensuring grant processing is delivered according to deadlines and operational standards.
• You will contribute to continuous improvement of grant schemes and funding processes by identifying and implementing improvements in review and assessment processes and policies.

Is this job for me?

The ideal candidate should have very strong leadership skills and demonstrate the ability to lead and develop a high‑performing team. Their leadership is demonstrated through their ability to influence others in a positive and constructive way and through their expert knowledge of funding processes and policies. Their communication skills are outstanding, and they are comfortable working with people from a range of levels of seniority and funding experience. They are highly organised, able to manage a varied workload, undaunted by complex tasks and bring a proactive, positive attitude to the role.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit an up‑to‑date CV and answer 2 application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Minimum Criteria

• Educated to at least degree level in a relevant science, humanities, social science, or public health subject
• Significant experience in delivering research funding mechanisms
• Strong leadership skills with proven ability to lead others and influence in a constructive manner
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to employ diverse approaches to effectively communicate complex information with clarity and precision to people across the organisation.

Our Hybrid Way of Working: We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work, and we strive to build a flexible working environment in which people can perform at their best. At Wellcome, we have a hybrid way of working, which is 3 days in our Euston Road offices (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) with the remaining 2 days working either remotely or in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion are at the heart of everything we do: Diversity and Inclusion are a priority at Wellcome. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition. Please visit our website for more information on adjustments and accessibility, or contact us at jobs@wellcome.org.