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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.
Key Responsibilities:
Research Operations Leadership
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.
Scientific Strategy and Innovation
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.
People Leadership
Line management of three Research Managers, effectively delegating work to support delivery of their objectives.
Leadership and development of a wider core team of six, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.
Help to promote an inspiring team culture where personal development is prioritised.
Knowledge, skills and experience needed:
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 of planning, managing and delivering 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.
Additional Information:
Ways of working:
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.
Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals. This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.
Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD.
Salary: Circa £53,000 per annum, plus benefits.
Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.
The closing date for applications is the 17th May 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.
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.
As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.
How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.
About Alzheimer s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure. Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope.
There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure.
In 2024, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises World Class levels of workplace engagement. This is the second consecutive time; we have been awarded a Best Companies 3-star accreditation.
We were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:
18th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.
10th in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.
2nd in the 30 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.
ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference.
To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer s Research UK