Senior Funding Policy Manager x2 Salary : £45,272 per annum Hours: Full Time / Part Time (Min 0.8 FTE) Contract Type : 1x Open Ended & 1x Fixed Term Contract (12 Months - Open to Secondments) Location: Polaris House, Swindon (Hybrid working available) Band : E Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy and associated guidance UKRI recruitment policy - UKRI for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer for an FTC role, please ensure you liaise with your current line manager and the designated HR team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place. Closing Date: Sunday 7 September 2025 We are looking for two candidates: one for an open-ended appointment, and another on a 12-month fixed term contract. The role will involve addressing system-wide challenges related to research funding. Key areas of focus may include, enhancing incentives for expert review participation, managing application volumes, promoting flexible and project-appropriate leadership models, and exploring the integration of artificial intelligence in funding processes. 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 UKRI funding policy encompasses the policies and processes associated with the UKRI funding of research, innovation and training awards across the whole funding lifecycle. Developed by the UKRI Funding Policy and Engagement team, these policies-alongside the grant terms and conditions-govern over £4 billion in funding annually. These policies shape every stage of the funding process: from determining the eligibility of individuals and organisations, to specifying the information required in applications, to guiding how applications are assessed, and funding decisions are made. They also define how awarded grants are managed post-award. Funding activities are undertaken by the Councils who manage their own strategies and budgets. The Funding Policy and Engagement team plays a critical underpinning role in simplifying and improving the collective funding policy environment based on user needs. 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. Key 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.) Providing support and deputising for the Policy Leads and Associate Director in their leadership and reporting roles including representation at internal and external groups, networks and events Maintaining an awareness of relevant developments in strategy, processes, policies, technology etc. Facilitating meetings and group discussions effectively, with the ability to challenge perceptions and assumptions constructively and to manage expectations Other ad hoc activities as required. Person Specification: (S) - Shortlisting Criteria (I) - Interview Criteria (S & I) - Shortlisting Criteria & Interview Criteria Essential Proven experience of funding policy and strategy development/implementation with excellent understanding of the UK research and innovation landscape (S & I) Previous experience of developing and implementing funding policy or strategy within research organisation or funder (S & I) Demonstrable strategic thinking, with ability to think creatively to develop and coordinate solutions to complex situations (S & I) Excellent written and oral communication skills, with good attention to detail and ability to articulate complex information clearly (S & I) Experience of working with diverse 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 when there are conflicting perspectives (S & I) Ability to proactively plan and prioritise own workload to successfully deliver projects, and respond flexibly to changing priorities and ambiguity (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) Desirable Project management and/or change management experience ( S & I ) Application Guidance: How to evidence the criteria: You are encouraged to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in the cover letter to evidence your ability to meet the 'person specification' criteria in the job description. Cover letters should be no more than two sides of A4 (minimum font size 11). For examples of the STAR method, please visit: The STAR method | National Careers Service '. Applications that do not include a cover letter evidencing each criterion will not be considered. Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org 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 Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance! For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) UKRI - UK Research and Innovation UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org. Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI. How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'. Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application. UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.