Research Manager - Commissioned Research

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.

You’ll join Marie Curie’s Research Management and Impact team, part of the wider Research and Policy directorate. Marie Curie is the UK’s largest charitable funder of palliative and end-of-life care research, supporting a broad portfolio of research grants, partnerships and commissioned projects that influence policy, practice and public understanding.

As Research Manager, you’ll play a central role in supporting and developing Marie Curie’s growing portfolio of commissioned research. You’ll help colleagues across the organisation turn important questions into impactful research projects, supporting with pre and post award management, ensuring studies are well managed, effectively communicated and used to drive change.

From supporting the development of new commissioned research proposals to arranging internal decision making panels, managing projects post-award and maximising research impact, your work will help ensure evidence informs policy, practice and services across the charity and beyond. This is an exciting, high-profile role for someone passionate about research management, collaboration and using evidence to improve care and reduce inequalities at the end of life.

Your Impact:

• Support the management and coordination of Marie Curie’s growing portfolio of commissioned research projects.
• Lead administration of the commissioned research process, including internal approvals, documentation, reporting and governance activities.
• Work with colleagues across the organisation to develop externally commissioned research proposals, including plans for impact and risk management.
• Act as a key contact for commissioned research grants, supporting effective project delivery and stakeholder collaboration.
• Develop guidance, resources and training materials to support colleagues with commissioning and managing external research.
• Help maximise the impact and visibility of commissioned research by supporting communication, dissemination and evidence use across the organisation.
• Maintain accurate records and reporting on commissioned research activity, outputs and timelines.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, researchers, universities, NHS organisations and sector partners.
• Contribute to wider research management and impact initiatives across the directorate.

Key Requirements

• Experience in research and/or research management, ideally within a charity, government, university, or a healthcare-related setting.
• Strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear guidance documents and written reports.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience reviewing research reports, data or evidence.
• Experience working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders (including senior stakeholders) and building effective relationships.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and manage work proactively.
• Interest in research impact, evidence use and improving end-of-life care.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage processes accurately and consistently.

Please see the full job description (attached).

Application & Interview Process

• As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and supplementary details. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
• Closing date for applications: 9 June 2026

We encourage early applications as we may close the job advert sooner after receiving a sufficient number of applications.

Salary: £36,900-41,000 per annum + £3,500 London Weighting Allowance if applicable

Contract:  Permanent, full-time (35h per week)

Based:  Hybrid London. You will work 2 days a week in the Embassy Gardens office in London.

We can also consider home-based working with the expectation for occasional travel to the office for candidates living beyond a commutable distance to London.

Benefits you’ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

At Marie Curie, our values are central to everything we do. They guide how we care for people, how we work together, and how we make decisions every day. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe for everyone - staff and volunteers alike - supportive, inclusive and rewarding.  We take stringent steps to ensure that anyone who joins our organisation are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. We actively consider our impact on the planet, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions to create a lasting, positive difference for the individuals we care for and the world we share.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. Marie Curie is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, recognising both the social justice imperative and the strength a diverse workforce brings.  We actively encourage applications from people of all cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you require any support, please contact us.

Every application we receive is personally reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team, and in return, we ask that your application authentically reflects you - your experience, perspective and voice.