UK Research and Innovation
Senior Funding Policy Manager
Salary: £45,272
Hours: Full Time / Part Time (Min 0.8 FTE)
Contract Type:Fixed Term Contract (12 Months Open to Secondments)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon (Hybrid working available)
Closing Date:Tuesday 15th July 2025
Job Overview
The UKRI Funding Policy and Engagement Team is part of UKRI Funding Services and is responsible for creating and delivering consistent funding policy and process across the nine UKRI Councils.
The role is critical to the success of the UKRI Funding Policy and Engagement team which has a role in:
* Development and delivery of research and innovation policies across the nine UKRI Councils and cross-cutting funds with the aim of achieving the optimum balance between process and policy harmonisation and user targeted interventions
* Development and delivery of research and innovation policies that are critical to the success of the UKRI Funding Service (TFS)
* Working across UKRI business areas including interfacing between strategy and operations to ensure effective and efficient funding policies
* Wider engagement with the user community to understand the external perspective which will then feed into the UKRI Policy development and delivery activities
* Scope and delivery of a number of key projects to support the delivery of organisational priorities, including the UKRI Strategy and government initiative on reducing bureaucracy.
Responsibilities
* Gathering, collating and analysing information from a variety of sources to inform, scope and manage effective funding policy development and implementation
* Drafting a range of written documents containing proposals and recommendations including policy papers for various senior UKRI Boards and Committees
* Working closely with a range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure that policies and processes are fit for purpose and achieve the optimum balance between policy and process harmonisation and user specific interventions
* Bringing perspectives from research organisations to develop and implement policies across UKRI, and embed them to improve research culture and address system wide issues
* Working closely with the research community to implement policy changes
* Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with individuals in each of the nine Councils and appropriately engaging key external stakeholders in developments (e.g. Research Organisation Consultation Group (ROCG), Cabinet Office, DSIT, ARMA etc.)
About you
* Experience of research administration and strategy development at UK higher education providers or UK research organisation with excellent understanding of the UK research and innovation landscape(S & I)
* Previous experience of Funding Policy or strategy development and implementation preferably within UK research organisation(S & I)
* Demonstrable strategic thinking(S & I)
* Ability to think and work creatively to tackle problems and challenges, demonstrating own initiative and brokering solutions to complex situations(S & I)
* Excellent written and oral communication skills with good attention to detail(S & I)
* Experience of working with internal and external stakeholders at all levels(S & I)
* A demonstrable ability to influence and persuade others to ensure-buy in, particularly in the pursuit of common goals(S & I)
* Ability to work proactively, plan and prioritise workload to ensure deadlines are met and drive projects to succession with minimum supervision(S & I)
* Flexible, adaptable and resilient to changing priorities and demands and the ability to communicate changes effectively(S & I)
* Strong analytical skills including, experience of interpreting, connecting, synthesising and summarising information from a range of sources to identify key themes and opportunities(S & I)
To view the full job description please click apply and visit our careers page
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below;
* An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
* 30 days annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
* Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
* Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
* Flexible working options
Please click here for more details on thehttps://www.discover.ukri.org/benefits-of-working-at-ukri/index.html
How to Apply
Applicants are required to provide an up-to-date CV and a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role. Further information on how to apply and the selection process is listed on our careers page
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