Role overview

The Research Manager is responsible for the delivery and day to day management of Children with Cancer UK’s research programme, ensuring our research funding delivers meaningful impact for children with cancer.

Reporting to the Head of Research, you will lead the delivery of the research programme, overseeing grant funding processes, managing the research portfolio, and ensuring effective monitoring of impact. You will also build and maintain strong relationships across the research and clinical community. Alongside this, you will work closely with the Head of Research to support the development of the programme, including new funding initiatives and partnerships.

This is an exciting and varied role, ideal for someone with strong experience in research funding and management in the medical health charity sector who is looking to take ownership of a growing and ambitious research portfolio. Bringing passion for improving outcomes for children affected by cancer, you will join a growing and ambitious team at Children with Cancer UK and have line management responsibility for one member of staff.

Children with Cancer UK

Children with Cancer UK is a leading children’s cancer charity dedicated to raising and investing funds into vital specialist research to save the lives of children with cancer. Our mission is to improve survival rates and the quality of survival in young cancer patients and to find ways to prevent cancer in the future. What began as a small memorial charity in 1988, has evolved into a major force raising more than £300 million and investing in over 200 research projects to help fight the injustice of cancer in children.

Role purpose

To manage and deliver Children with Cancer UK’s Research Programme, ensuring our funding is effectively managed and delivers maximum impact for children and young people with cancer.

Main duties and Responsibilities

Research Funding Delivery

Lead the delivery of funding programmes and operations for Children with Cancer UK’s research programme, ensuring grant rounds are delivered on time and to a high standard.
Oversee end-to-end grant processes including application management, peer review and panel coordination and funding recommendations, with support from the Research Officer.
Lead on the development and maintenance of all peer review and grant management procedures.
Prepare applicant and reviewer guidance to support high-quality, robust assessment and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and quality across processes
Oversee the charity’s portfolio of active research grants, ensuring effective monitoring, reporting, and financial management in line with AMRC best practice
Provide support and advice to grant holders to maximise delivery and results from the research. Exercise sound judgement in managing grants, identifying risks and addressing issues as they arise

Research Programme Development and Engagement

Working closely with the Head of Research, contribute to the ongoing development of the research programme, including new funding initiatives and strategic partnerships
Lead on the implementation and delivery of meaningful patient involvement schemes within the research programme, ensuring lived experience informs funding decisions
Analyse trends across funded research and impact data to inform research programme direction and organisational insight
Support engagement within the research community through events, collaborations and outreach activity

Research Impact and Communications

Develop and manage effective systems and processes for monitoring research outputs, outcomes and impact
Proactively engage with grant-holders to track ongoing work and impact
Work with the Marketing and Communications Team to promote research activity and respond reactively to key research and data developments
Support with work undertaken by the Fundraising Team through provision of research information, case studies and engagement opportunities (such as lab tours and donor reports)

External Relationships

Act as a key point of contact for Children with Cancer UK grant holders, applicants and their host institutions
Build and maintain effective relationships with Children with Cancer UK’s Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) and Research Subcommittee, and wider research and clinical community
Engage effectively with people personally affected by cancer, ensuring their perspectives are meaningfully integrated into the research programme

Management

Line-manage the Research Grants Officer, ensuring high performance, accountability and continuous development

General

Represent Children with Cancer UK at relevant meetings, events and conferences
The role will require some travel to meetings and events throughout the UK. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required (time off in lieu will be given in accordance with the charity’s TOIL policy)
The post holder will be working in a developing environment and will therefore be required to undertake other appropriate duties as necessary for the efficient operation of Children with Cancer UK.

Education, training and qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level in a biomedical or related discipline

Desirable

Experience of undertaking scientific or clinical research
A postgraduate qualification (PhD or MSc) or equivalent experience in a biomedical or related field

Experience and knowledge

Essential

A strong understanding of the UK biomedical research and funding environment
Experience of research funding administration and grant management, ideally within the medical research charity sector
Experience of managing peer review processes and applying research governance principles (e.g. AMRC best practice)
Experience of working with academic, clinical and research stakeholders

Desirable

Experience of using Flexigrant grant management software
Experience of facilitating patient and public involvement in research
Experience of line management
Experience developing or shaping funding programmes or initiatives
Experience of communication about research

Skills and abilities

Essential

Highly organised, with excellent project and programme management skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
An analytical mindset with strong attention to detail
Ability to make sound, evidence-based decisions in complex or uncertain situations
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to communicate complex scientific and medical information to a variety of audiences.
Ability to build and develop relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, e.g. senior roles in the academic and medical field, people with lived experience of cancer and other charity stakeholders
Able to work independently and exercise effective prioritisation
Demonstrated initiative and ability to take ownership of new or evolving areas of work

Other

Essential

Commitment to improving the lives of children affected by cancer
Commitment to embedding the voices of patients and families in research

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Children with Cancer UK, we value diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone is able to be themselves and to reach their full potential. The statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter as one document e.g. PDF or Word document.

All applications will be reviewed and considered by a member of our team and those applicants who appear to match our requirements will be contacted.

Advertisement will close by Sunday the 27th September 2026.

Please note this role is Hybrid with 3 days in our office based in London.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The charity recognises that candidates may use Artificial Intelligence tools to support aspects of the recruitment process. Candidates may use AI tools for research, preparation or to support written applications; however, all submitted work must accurately represent the candidate’s own skills, experience and suitability for the role.

Candidates should disclose if AI has been used in preparing application materials or completing any assessment activity. Failure to appropriately disclose significant use of AI-generated content may impact the recruitment process.

You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy

Children with Cancer UK

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