Pre-Award Research Manager

Overview

As a Pre-Award Research Manager, you will support externally funded research by guiding academic staff through proposal preparation, submission, and contract negotiations. You will bridge the academic community and Research Operations, ensuring compliance and robust budgeting and due diligence. You’ll coordinate with Research Development and other teams, deliver training, and manage multiple grant projects concurrently. This role combines strategic funding insight with hands-on grant administration to boost the university’s research portfolio.

Pay / Benefits

• 30 days annual leave + 8 public holidays + 4 customary days
• Generous pension scheme (USS)
• Hybrid working
• On-site nursery (Ofsted Outstanding)
• Professional development opportunities
• Cycle to work and car benefit schemes

Responsibilities

• Manage the submission process of research bids, including budget development and internal approvals
• Collaborate with Research Development on strategic funding opportunities
• Lay review applications for regulatory and funder compliance
• Oversee contract negotiations and ensure ethical and due diligence checks are completed
• Coordinate with post-award and contracting colleagues to centralise project information
• Deliver training and information events for researchers and staff

Key requirements

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience)
• Professional practitioner with knowledge of services delivery and internal improvement
• Experience implementing policies, procedures and driving service improvements
• Experience providing specialist advice to a range of customers including senior colleagues
• Experience in internal or external networks to discuss best practice and influence reputation
• Relevant experience supporting grant applications, preferably in an HEI environment
• Excellent spoken and written communication with ability to build relationships
• Strong digital competence (Microsoft 365 and project/research management systems e.g., Worktribe)
• Committed to ongoing professional development
• Knowledge of regulatory and organisational compliance
• Problem solving and solution planning abilities
• Ability to prioritise work to meet demanding deadlines
• Attention to detail under pressure

• Excellent communication and relationship-building
• Proactive problem-solving
• Strong organisation and attention to detail
• Microsoft 365
• Worktribe or similar project/research management systems
• Regulatory compliance knowledge

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