Research manager jobs in Birmingham, west midlands

Would you like to help us achieve meaningful outcomes for those affected by dementia? Do you want to use your experience in grants management to ensure our research funding programme supports the highest quality dementia research?

About the role
We are recruiting for a Senior Research Manager to join on a full-time, permanent contract working 35 hours per week. This is a home-based role, with occasional travel required for conferences, events and in-person stakeholder or team meetings.

As Senior Research Manager, you will lead our Research Grants & Involvement team, creating an environment where people feel supported, empowered and able to contribute their best work. In doing so, you will contribute to the development and delivery of our ambitious research strategy, ensuring that our research funding programme supports the highest quality dementia research, informed at every stage by those with lived experience.

You will lead a collaborative and purpose-driven team, working at the forefront of research that has the potential to transform lives. This is a highly visible and strategic role providing expert input across all aspects of dementia research, including our own funding portfolio, to contribute towards our organisational priorities.

You will use your knowledge of the dementia research landscape to identify emerging trends and opportunities and shape our research funding programme. Using your extensive experience in grants management, you will ensure that our funding schemes meet the needs of the dementia research community, that our processes align with best practice and ultimately, that the research we support achieves meaningful outcomes for those affected by dementia.

Interviews have been provisionally scheduled to take place via MS Teams on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th June.

About you
Joining us, you’ll possess relevant experience or education qualification in a relevant biomedical or health discipline, with extensive experience in research grants management, ideally in a medical research charity or similar funding organisation.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need to have good knowledge of the UK research funding landscape and research ecosystem, ideally in dementia. You’ll also have experience of embedding or supporting public involvement in research, or working in a co-production environment.

Crucially, you’ll have experience leading, managing and developing high-performing teams. You’ll also be a good communicator, able to work strategically with senior stakeholders, build relationships, influence and negotiate with them.

What you’ll focus on:

- Contributing to shaping Alzheimer’s Society’s research strategy, defining priority research themes aligned with our overarching organisational strategy.
- Acting as a trusted senior expert on dementia research internally, using horizon scanning and in-depth knowledge of Alzheimer’s Society’s funding portfolio.
- Working collaboratively to support the identification of funding gaps and new opportunities and partnerships, leading the development of future funding initiatives aligned with Alzheimer's Society’s research strategy.
- Overseeing the delivery and continuous improvement of research grant operations, ensuring that processes maintain the highest standards and reflect sector best practice, working closely with the Research Grants Manager.
- Developing and maintaining trusted senior level external relationships with leading dementia researchers, funders and partners, strengthening Alzheimer’s Society’s credibility as a leading research funder, and ensuring we are abreast of emerging trends and developments.
- Overseeing the development and delivery of Alzheimer’s Society’s vision for meaningful and impactful involvement of people with lived experience of dementia across its research programmes, working closely with the Research Involvement Manager.
- Leading, inspiring and developing a high performing team, building depth of expertise and strategic confidence and embedding a culture of test, learn and continuous improvement.

About Alzheimer's Society - who are we and what’s our mission?
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.  

At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re the UK’s leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding ground-breaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.  

Together with our supporters, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for. 

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as part of a minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.

Our hiring process
We want you to bring your whole self to the process. Applications are anonymised until interview stage, and we’re happy to support any adjustments. Share your feedback via our candidate survey when applying to help us improve. We may close early if we receive high interest (with 48 hours’ notice). Some roles may require a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment commitment. Thinking about using AI during the recruitment process? We know this can be helpful in many ways but remember to include your personal and authentic self too. Your voice and experience are what really set you apart. 

Giving back to you
At Alzheimer’s Society, we value our people and take a total reward approach to pay and benefits. You’ll enjoy a generous double-matched pension scheme, 27 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays and wellbeing days), and access to a free Health Shield Cash Plan, 24/7 EAP, Thrive mental wellbeing support, and virtual GP services. Our Society Plus platform offers exclusive discounts, wellbeing resources, and recognition schemes, while our flexible working, family-friendly policies, and life assurance provide peace of mind and work/life balance. We also offer a free Will-writing service and long service awards to recognise your ongoing commitment.