Programme manager jobs

Working Pattern: 0.6 FTE (happy to discuss flexible working arrangements)

Dates: May 2026 - June 2027 (14 months)

Location: Home-based from anywhere in the UK with frequent (around once per month) travel across the UK

Working requirements: Applicants must have the right to work within the UK

Deadline for applications: Friday 6th March

Interviews: 19th and 20th March via Zoom

Salary: £42-44k pro rata dependent on experience

Job Purpose

We are looking for a Research Programme Manager with a strong grounding in scientific research and expertise in grant management to take on a maternity cover within our small and tight-knit research team.

The role’s core responsibility will be to lead on the delivery of the Foundation’s translational grant funding schemes - our Catalyst Awards and Advancing Treatments Awards. The post holder will have a visible presence within the research community acting as an important point of contact between researchers, committee members (including people living with MND), peer reviewers and the charity.

They will be responsible for the successful delivery of a large portfolio of active projects by working closely with others in the team to ensure all awards are expertly administered, monitored, evaluated and reported against, ensuring the outputs are of the highest quality and supporting the charities activities. The post-holder will identify opportunities to communicate the progress or impact of the work we fund and work with the communications team to develop compelling communications for our supporters.

Key responsibilities

Grant Funding Programme

● Lead on the management of several grant funding schemes, as well as ad-hoc applications that come to the Foundation;

● Oversee the smooth running of application rounds, peer review and ensure that funding committees function in line with AMRC guidance;

● Be the main point of contact for the AMRC with regards to research management;

● Support the ongoing implementation and development of the Foundation’s Grant Management Software, Flexi-Grant, ensuring the research team are using the platform effectively;

● Manage project set-up including contracting, the development of detailed project plans, including go/no-go milestones and budgets;

● Work with the others in the team to oversee the research programme budget including planning, monitoring and forecasting; work with the Directors of Research and Finance to ensure that accurate research finance information is available for organisational budgeting and planning;

● Seek opportunities to improve the Foundation’s grant funding schemes to increase the number and quality of applications received year on year, ensuring funded projects support the delivery of the Foundation’s research strategy;

● Monitor any developments or innovations across the sector and implement changes to maintain a high-quality impactful research funding programme.

Project Portfolio

● Manage and oversee project delivery of the Foundation’s active project portfolio by:

○ Building and managing relationships with award holders and attending site visits;

○ Approving grant payments and managing the change process for any project amendments;

○ Ensuring project progress is effectively monitored and reported against;

○ Identifying opportunities for and approving any project communications.

● Work closely with others in the research team to implement an Impact Evaluation Framework, to evaluate the impact of the research we fund.

General Responsibilities

● Support the Director of Research to deliver the Foundation’s research strategy;

● Support more junior members of the team through training and mentoring;

● Contribute to the team being proactive and supportive, and working effectively and efficiently to achieve agreed objectives;

● Contribute to the development and maintenance of strong internal relationships across the charity, working specifically with the Fundraising Team to support income generation;

● Support the Director of Research in the development of updates for the Board of Trustees and other groups such as our Scientific Advisors;

● Keep updated with the latest scientific developments in the field, attend conferences and build strong relationships with MND experts and other relevant stakeholders;

● Represent the Foundation at external scientific meetings and conferences;

● Undertake other work as required by the Director of Research.

Skills and experience required:

● Educated to PhD level or with equivalent experience in a science subject relevant to MND;

● Experience of research management, including the management of grant schemes, preferably with experience of using Flexi-Grant;

● Experience of research communications, including the ability to disseminate complex scientific information and present it to non-technical audiences;

● Experience of liaising with senior individuals in a variety of organisations with an ability to create favourable working relationships;

● Proven project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects at the same time;

● A great communicator, with excellent written and oral skills and the ability to maintain relationships with a wide variety of individuals, including those within the Foundation, researchers and clinicians, relevant organisations and industry bodies, MND patients, and other MND charities;

● Self-motivated, proactive and able to work using own initiative;

● Organised, with a proven ability to successfully manage a broad spectrum of tasks, deadlines and individuals;

● Motivated to make a real difference for those living with MND.

We are looking for an ambitious Programme Funding Manager to play a pivotal role in securing and managing funding from institutional donors, trusts, foundations, government agencies, and multilateral donors to support the delivery of vital global programmes supporting communities across the world.

The team would love this person to be in the London office once a week but this can be discussed, there may be occasional overseas travel. The team can consider 5 or 4 days a week.

The Charity
You would be joining a supportive and and welcoming team at a long standing, international social welfare charity that offer a range of employee benefits that include:
- Professional development, competitive pay and pension with a four percent employer pension contribution, rising to eight percent after one year. BUPA health cash plan, employee Assistance Programme and up to six free counselling sessions, enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity leave and shared parental leave. Travel insurance, vaccinations and security training (for work-related travel).

The Role

Further develop the Global Programme Funding Strategy to source funding in programme areas of interest including health, disaster risk management, resilience, sustainable livelihoods as well as research grants.

Identify and develop engagement plans for a wide range of UK and international institutional donors, research organisations, universities, trusts and foundations.

Lead on the development of high-quality funding proposals, contributing towards organisation wide grant and contract income targets.

Work with the UK and global in country teams to deliver the strategy and line manage and support the Senior Programme Funding Officer.

Oversee contract management and oversee compliance with donor regulations.

The Candidate

Are you an experienced relationship fundraiser with experience of the following:

Income Generation significant experience and a successful track record securing grants from key institutional funders, ideally from the relevant thematic areas of: animal welfare, livelihoods, resilience building, access to water, food and gender.

Current knowledge and experience of institutional funders priorities, requirements and ways of working.

Knowledge and experience of the Programme management cycle.

Experience of producing budgets and reports for funders; experience of negotiating budgets, value for money etc.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Please note this role is closing on 1st March. Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you haven't been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful, but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.

We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.

Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.

Job Title: Programme Manager (Sounddelivery Media Programmes)

Responsible to: Chief Executive

Location: Hybrid (with some in-person work as required)

Salary: £42k pro rata, dependent on experience

Contract: Permanent (subject to funding)

Role Purpose

The Programme Manager will lead the planning, delivery, and evaluation of Sounddelivery Media’s programmes. This includes managing funded projects, supporting network organisations, and ensuring programmes are delivered on time, on budget, and to a high standard, while meeting funder requirements and SDM’s strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end delivery of SDM programmes, from planning through to evaluation and reporting.

• Work closely with key stakeholders to develop the scope, deliverables, required resources, work plan, budget, and timing for new initiatives

• Creating new programmes according to the strategic objectives of the organisation

• Act as the main point of contact for programme partners, freelancers, and delivery organisations.

• Oversee programme budgets, timelines, and resources, ensuring strong financial and risk management.

• Ensure programmes meet funder requirements, including monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

• Work closely with the Media & Communications Manager to promote programme activity and impact.

• Support learning and knowledge-sharing across the SDM network.

• Contribute to programme design and development, identifying opportunities for innovation and growth.

• Maintain accurate records and contribute to organisational reporting and strategy.

• Developing strong relationships with team members, vendors and partners

• Managing resources and ensuring timely delivery of programmes

• Supervising and coordinating activities of the parties involved in the programme

Person Specification

Experience (Essential):

• Proven experience of managing programmes or projects, ideally within the charity, cultural, or media sectors.

• Strong organisational and project management skills.

• Experience of managing budgets and reporting to funders.

• Excellent communication and relationship-management skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners and stakeholders.

• Understand and embed DEI principles and lived experience in activities

Experience (Desirable):

• Experience working with community organisations or networks.

• Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks.

• Understanding of the media, audio, or creative industries.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to work on own initiative with minimum supervision

• Ability to carry out tasks in a meticulous and methodical manner and pay close attention to detail

Flexibility & Commitment

• An open and flexible attitude, willing to work as part of a team

• Honesty and integrity to maintain confidential information and data and handle money