GOVERNANCE AND RESEARCH FINANCE LEAD

Salary: £60,000 – 65,000 plus benefits
Reports to: Head of Grants Management
Contract: 12-month Maternity Cover
Location: Stratford High Flex (1-2 days in office)
Minimum working pattern : 35
Closing date: 28 April 2025 23:55
This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
Recruitment process: Competency based interview
Interview date: 8/9 May 2025

AT CANCER RESEARCH UK, WE EXIST TO BEAT CANCER.

Cancer Research UK are looking for a Governance and Research Finance Lead, to join the Grants Management team.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Research Operations team at Cancer Research UK (CRUK) sits within the Research & Innovation directorate and plays a vital role in supporting the organisation’s mission to beat cancer by ensuring the smooth administration of research funding. Research Operations are responsible for managing the full lifecycle of research grants, from application through to award and reconciliation, whilst also ensuring CRUK has assurance that all organisations we fund are compliant with policies, regulations and governance standards. Overall, the team works closely with researchers, research offices, finance teams, and internal stakeholders to ensure that CRUK’s funding supports high-quality cancer research in an efficient and effective manner. For more information about the committee we look after click here
In this role you will be responsible for leading on research funding governance and financial grants management at Cancer Research UK, ensuring grant conditions and funding policies are effectively developed, implemented and adhered to, as well as coordinating the delivery of all post-award activity across the research grants portfolio. In addition, you will be responsible for leading on the operational development of new funding and research initiatives to support the delivery of CRUK’s research strategy, including supporting the development and implementation of new partnerships. You will have 3 Senior Research Governance & Finance Managers as direct reports to effectively deliver activity across the team.
This is a great opportunity for a Research Funding Policy Manager or Research Governance Manager looking with an excellent understanding of the UK research environment, looking for their next step. If you can bring leadership experience as well as solid knowledge and experience of implementing the end to end research grant funding process then we would love to hear from you

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

• Understanding of the UK biomedical research environment, through experience of working for a funding body, and/or recognised research environment
• Significant knowledge and experience of implementing the end-to-end research grants process
• Demonstrable experience of building, developing and managing teams, with a strong track record of leadership
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks, showing adaptability to meet challenging targets and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to be able to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with key internal and external personnel
• Ability to pragmatically and effectively manage relationships with complex internal stakeholders, including senior leadership and cross-directorate.
• Ability to interpret and explain complex information in a clear and concise manner
• Accuracy and excellent attention to detail, with demonstrable analytical and problem-solving skills
  Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.
  Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
  Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
  Human : Act to have a positive impact on people
  Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively
  We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
  If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.

Please refer the Job description for details