Research manager jobs in Cardiff, wales
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Purpose of the Role:
The Senior Research, Policy and Influencing Manager will play a pivotal role in driving Cerebra’s mission to influence national and local policy and practice. You will lead on the translation of research into actionable policy recommendations, develop strategic partnerships, advocate for systemic change and influence, persuade and engage with policy makers to improve outcomes for children with neurological conditions and their families. Alongside this you will work with the Research and Information team on Cerebra’s research contracts and the development and dissemination of information.
This is a senior role requiring strategic vision, strong analytical and communication skills, and an ability to build influence across government, academia, and the third sector.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
1. Policy and Influencing
- Identify opportunities to influence national and local policy agendas, including legislation, guidance, and funding priorities related to childhood disability and neurological conditions.
- Develop accessible and compelling policy briefings, consultation responses, reports, speeches, and presentations for a range of stakeholders, including MPs, government officials, sector partners and the public.
- Monitor policy developments across the neuro-diverse landscape and lead on timely, evidence-led responses.
- Analyse data, trends and policy developments to produce insights and recommendations.
- Translate complex ideas into clear, persuasive communications that support positive change.
- Ensure our policy positions reflect the real experiences and insights of the neuro-diverse children and families we support.
- Develop and deliver Cerebra’s policy and influencing strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and research priorities.
- Develop and deliver influencing campaigns in partnership with Communications team.
- Work closely with the Communications Team by contributing to the drafting of responses to media enquiries on our policy and influencing work and act as the media contact if required.
- Liaise with the Legal Rights Team to assess the impact of current or proposed policies in terms of their actual or potential effects on children with neurological conditions at both national and local levels, and for their input into consultation responses.
2. Engagement and Relationship Building
- Build and maintain strong strategic relationships with decision-makers across government departments, policymakers, NHS bodies, local authorities, professional associations, and sector partners.
- Represent Cerebra at meetings and events, including engaging with MPs, civil servants, policy forums, advisory groups, and cross-sector coalitions and other key influencers, or brief the CEO or Directors if attending.
- Work closely with internal teams to ensure our policy and influencing work is grounded in practice and informed by those delivering services.
- Work closely with the Communications Team to ensure consistent, impactful messaging.
3. Research and Information
- With one of our Lead Research Officers leading, you will oversee the tendering process and delivery of our research contracts.
- Working with our Information Development Officer to ensure that we maintain our PIF Tick accreditation for our information resources.
- Carry out high-quality research and analysis.
- Use findings from Cerebra-funded and external research to produce policy briefs, consultation responses, and evidence-based recommendations.
- Alongside our Lead Research Officers carry out horizon scanning to identify emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in child health, neurodiversity, and public service delivery.
4. Budgeting, monitoring and forecasting
- Working with the team and Director to set income and expenditure budgets for Corporate, Philanthropy, Legacy and Trust & Foundations to assist with any funding applications.
- Monitoring and reporting on income and expenditure and KPIs throughout the year.
- Providing quarterly income and expenditure re-forecasts.
- Ensuring all relevant information is recorded in line with charity, fundraising and data legislation and best practice.
5. Line Management
- Line management responsibilities for a small team, currently comprising of 3 staff.
- Be responsible for the day-to-day management of the team.
- Complete regular supervision and team meetings.
- Provide effective performance management to the team.
- Promote a positive and inclusive team culture aligned with Cerebra’s values.
6. General
- Monitor and evaluate the impact the areas of work that leading on.
- Support collaboration across the different Cerebra teams.
- Experience using Client Relationship Management (CRM) systems or similar digital tools for recording and tracking work.
- Uphold Cerebra’s Data Protection Policy and all relevant confidentiality and safeguarding policies.
- Carry out any other reasonable duties in line with the needs of the team and organisation.
Please see attached job description for person specification.
Registered Charity 
51 - 100
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Research Grants Manager
We’re looking for a Research Grants Manager to join the team.
Applications from individuals who are seeking flexible working options, including reduced hours or job shares are welcomed.
Position: CE401 Research Grants Manager
Location: Home-based, UK nationwide however, occasional travel will be required as part of this role (may include team meetings or other work-related meetings)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Salary: Circa £47,000 per annum (inner London weighting £3,950 per annum or outer London weighting £2,475 per annum may be applied in accordance to where you live)
Contract: Permanent
Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (this will increase with service up to 30 days, full time equivalent) cashback and discount scheme, employee assistance programme, learning and development, pension scheme, Life Assurance, Eye Care vouchers, Long Service Award, Tax-free childcare, Health Cash Plan, Working Pattern Agreement, flexible working opportunities available.
Closing Date: 8 May 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.
Interview Date: 20 May 2026
The Role
The Research Grants Manager leads the design, delivery and governance of the Association’s research funding portfolio. The role ensures that all Association funded research schemes, including fellowships and project grants, are strategically configured, rigorously governed and effectively delivered in line with the Association’s Research Strategy.
The role will ensure that research funding schemes are aligned with external research developments and designed to maximise long-term impact. The role includes formal accountability for embedding high-quality, inclusive and structured lived experience participation within research funding processes.
The Research Grants Manager is the organisational lead for research funding operations, ensuring the Association maintains a sector-leading, transparent and strategically focused funding programme.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Lead the design and operational delivery of Association research funding, including fellowships and project grant schemes.
- Accountable for the governance of funding mechanisms, ensuring fairness, compliance with governance standards and integration within existing research management systems.
- Management of expert review and award decision processes, ensuring robust scientific assessment, transparent decision-making and strategic alignment with organisational priorities.
- Ensure consistent, high-quality and inclusive lived experience involvement within research funding processes.
- Provide authoritative insight about Association funded research to communications, fundraising, policy and service development colleagues to assist with media and fundraising opportunities.
- Contribute to effective financial planning and budget monitoring across all funding schemes, including forecasting, risk management and reporting.
About You
You will:
- Be educated to post graduate level in a science, health, social science or related discipline
- Have experience of research management in a life science setting, including management of research funding award cycles
To fulfil the role, you must be a resident of the UK and have the right to work in the UK
Please state any preferences for flexible options in your covering letter.
Finding strength through support
The organisation is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. Providing tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year. This support includes one-to-one and group support, funding vital scientific research into stroke prevention, acute treatment, recovery and long-term care, and campaigning to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke.
They are here for stroke survivors and their loved ones, from the moment they enter the new and frightening post-stroke world, supporting them every step of the way as they find their strength and their way back to life.
It’s only thanks to the generosity of supporters and donors that they can provide vital support.
The Association is driven by an ambition to improve the lives of everyone affected by stroke. This means they’re determined to create an equitable and inclusive workplace that benefits from the difference, and thrives on the diversity, of our people. Guided by an approach to solving inequity in stroke, the team are prioritising listening to, and learning from, lived experience across the charity.
The charity are working to improve the representation of this lived experience at all levels within the Association and are eager to recruit applicants from a variety of communities and backgrounds. We are keen to receive applications from people affected by stroke, people of colour, members of LGBT+ communities, and disabled people because these identities and experiences are underrepresented and would add enormous value to how the organisation work.
A Disability Confident employer, the organisation is making great progress focusing on flexible working, reasonable adjustments and access to work.
You may also have experience in areas such as Research and Grants Manager, Research Manager, Grants Manager, Scientific Research, Health, Social Science, Social Science Research.
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP
