Hunter Merrifield are pleased to be partnering with The Royal Society to find them a Programme Manager, Early Career Fellowships to be responsible for the effective management and operational delivery of the Society’s early career research fellowship programmes aimed at supporting the next generation of scientific leaders.

Job Title: Programme Manager, Early Career Fellowships
Organisation: The Royal Society
Salary: 41,573.19
Contract: Permanent, Full time
Location: Charing Cross, London (2 days a week in the office)
Benefits: 30 days annual leave three days at holiday time, buy and bank annual leave, onsite staff restaurant, private medical and dental, pension, cycle to work scheme, interest free season ticket load, eyecare tests, work from home support and more.

The Royal Society are the independent scientific academy of the UK, dedicated to promoting excellence in science for the benefit of humanity. The Society’s fundamental purpose, is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity.

Key responsibilities and tasks

  • To oversee the planning and delivery of research funding calls, from call set-up and promotion through to making and setting up awards, ensuring high quality and timely application, review and awarding processes that select the best candidates in a robust, equitable and transparent way in accordance with agreed standards and governance
  • To work with and support Grants Managers in the recruitment and management of selection panels and external peer review and ensure high quality Secretariat support
  • To oversee the management of individual grants and cohorts, including advising on case work decisions and reviewing and advising on award holder feedback and complex queries
  • To support and work with the Engagement team to develop and deliver career development and engagement activities for grant holders
  • To work with Senior Managers and Monitoring Evaluation and Learning team to oversee the management of information, monitor progress of programme cohort grants and the quality of outputs.
  • To analyse and synthesise complex data and information from various sources in order to inform strategy and programming and meet reporting requirements
  • To support colleagues in providing evidence on and evaluating the impact of the programme
  • To ensure the accurate management of award finances, authorise payments and support forecasting process
  • To manage operational aspects of programme partnerships, working with others as required, and maintain strong and positive relationships with external stakeholders, including partners and the research community
  • To represent the programme and organisation at meetings, interest groups, and events, including giving presentations and providing briefings as required
  • To work collaboratively with others to support continuous ongoing improvement and implementation of good practice in the context of grant-making, including contributing to review of documentation, procedures and processes and programme development/evaluation to ensure funding provision is relevant for the science community and is delivered efficiently and effectively
  • To manage and provide leadership to Grants Manager(s) and create an inclusive and supportive environment to help them realise their potential and achieve the highest standards of efficiency, quality and customer care. To role model desired behaviours in line with the Grants Team Charter
  • To continuously seek opportunities to develop subject matter expertise in grants management and research funding, staying up to date with best practices and the wider research and grant-making landscape developments, and ensure that this knowledge is shared and applied to maximum effect within the organisation

Person Specification:

  • A good understanding of academic and/or research activities in science
  • A good understanding of procedures and best practices in research funding and/or grant-making
  • Experience of managing staff
  • Experience of working in a team and across teams
  • Experience of effective internal and external engagement with people at all levels of seniority, including managing meetings and events
  • Experience of funding research and/or grant making
  • Experience of using IT to collect, analyse and manipulate data accurately
  • Experience of managing a budget

To find out more and to apply, please contact Akash Mahmud at Hunter Merrifield.

We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all we work with, irrespective of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. As an organisation, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and will ensure measures are met when required, to allow a fair process throughout.