Senior research advisor jobs in Belfast

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.

At Alzheimer's Society, we're a team of advisors, supporters, fundraisers, researchers, and advocates, united by one purpose: to make life better for everyone affected by dementia. Everything we do must be worthy of that purpose. That's where you come in.

Please note that the internal post title will be known as Company Secretary and Governance Lead.

We're looking for a Company Secretary and Governance Lead to play a vital leadership role in ensuring our registered charity operates to the highest standards of governance, transparency, and integrity. This isn't just about compliance. It's about enabling an organisation to do its best work for the people who need it most.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team, and Board Committees, you'll shape and strengthen our governance framework, creating the conditions for confident, informed decision-making that supports delivery of our strategy and our impact. If you're a strategic governance leader who combines technical expertise with strong relationships and a genuine belief that good governance matters, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Company Secretary for Alzheimer's Society and its subsidiaries, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission and Companies House requirements.
• Provide trusted, expert advice to the Chair, Board of Trustees, and Executive Leadership Team on their legal, fiduciary, and regulatory responsibilities.
• Oversee governance arrangements, ensuring effective information flow and clear decision-making structures across the organisation.
• Develop and lead a team of governance professionals, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, accountability, and inclusivity.
• Lead the design and continual improvement of our governance framework, embedding transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making at every level.
• Serve as Whistleblowing Officer for the Society, championing integrity and openness in all governance processes.
• Support the governance team to deliver efficient Board and Committee meetings, forward planning, and statutory reporting.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation, helping teams see governance and compliance as enablers of effective, ethical leadership, not obstacles to it.

About You

You're a confident, collaborative leader who brings professional rigour without losing sight of people. You know how to advise senior leaders with authority and earn trust at every level. You can hold the big picture and the detail at the same time, and you genuinely care about the organisation you work for.

We're looking for someone who can:

• Demonstrate a strong track record of advising Boards and senior leaders on governance, compliance, and organisational risk.
• Bring excellent knowledge of charity law, company law, and the UK governance landscape.
• Communicate complex information clearly and credibly, whether to lawyers, trustees, or people who've never read a governance report in their life.
• Lead with authenticity and integrity, building trusted relationships across all levels.
• Drive continuous improvement, simplifying processes and fostering a culture of learning and accountability.
• Lead and develop a small team, championing their collaboration and professional growth.
• Model Alzheimer's Society's values of Determination, Better Together, Compassion, and Trusted Expertise in everything you do.

This role is home-based with occasional travel across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Important Dates:

• The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Sunday 1st March 2026.
• Interview invites will be issued from 2nd March 2026.
• First stage interviews will take place across W/C 2nd March and 9th March 2026.
• The Involvement (lived experience) Panel will take place W/C 16th March 2026.
• The Competency Panel interview will take place at our Crutched Friars London office, with dates to be confirmed.
• Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to meet virtually with our Chair of the Board of Trustees prior to any offer of employment.

About Alzheimer's Society

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 groundbreaking 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 Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. 

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people. 

Our hiring process

During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.Please also contact Alzheimer’s Society Talent Acquisition Team for application support or any adjustments you might need.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.

We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a DBS check at the relevant level.

Giving back to you

Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society. 

You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it’s like to be an employee at the Society.

What if your expertise in cash management, forecasting, and banking relationships could be the driving force behind one of the UK's largest charities maintaining the financial stability needed to end the devastation caused by dementia? As Treasury Manager at Alzheimer's Society, you'll ensure we can confidently meet our commitments to people affected by dementia by managing our cash flow, income streams, and reserves effectively.

About the opportunity

As Treasury Manager within our Finance & Assurance directorate, you'll own our Treasury and Accounts Receivable functions, playing a vital role in our financial sustainability. You'll monitor our cash position, forecast cash flow across diverse income streams from online fundraising platforms to direct donations and community collections, and manage banking relationships to ensure we optimise our working capital and invest our reserves wisely.

This isn't a back-office role. You'll be a highly visible partner to budget holders and business partners across the organisation, providing the treasury insights that enable confident financial planning and investment. You'll ensure we have the liquidity needed to support our work as income flows in from our incredible fundraisers, navigating the complexities of restricted and unrestricted funds to safeguard every pound raised and maximise our impact.

Using data and metrics as your tools, you'll drive performance improvements while supporting the development of our Accounts Assistants team. Your ability to balance rigorous treasury controls with collaborative partnership will be essential to success in this role.

This role will focus approximately 80% on Treasury and 20% on Accounts Receivable.

About you:

You're an experienced treasury professional who enjoys using forecasting and data to provide strategic financial insights. You excel at optimising cash positions and working capital, and you can translate complex treasury information into clear, practical guidance for budget holders and business partners. You bring fresh thinking to treasury challenges and understand that strong cash management enables organisations to achieve their goals.

You'll have:

• Proven treasury or cash management experience in a medium to large organisation, including cash flow forecasting, cash positioning, and banking relationship management.
• Effective forecasting and analytical skills with the ability to model scenarios and provide strategic cash insights to support decision-making.
• Experience managing banking relationships, optimising cash deployment, and working with multiple bank accounts and treasury systems.
• Track record in managing end-to-end accounts receivable processes, including invoice generation, reconciliation, and collections.
• Ability to develop and motivate teams using a high challenge, high support approach, particularly those undertaking professional development.
• Good communication and influencing skills, with proven ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders and colleagues across departments.
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel, with strong ability to analyse, interpret and present financial data effectively.
• Understanding of financial accounting systems and how they integrate with treasury operations; charity sector experience is beneficial but not essential.

What you'll focus on:

• Managing treasury operations including monitoring daily cash position, forecasting cash flow, and optimising cash deployment across the organisation.
• Owning banking relationships, negotiating terms with financial institutions, and ensuring efficient payment and receipting processes.
• Producing cash flow forecasts and treasury reports that inform executive decision-making and enable strategic investment planning.
• Managing end-to-end accounts receivable processes from invoice generation and account reconciliation to debt recovery and customer service.
• Driving performance through data by owning and reporting on key treasury and AR metrics, using insights to deliver continuous improvement.
• Leading and developing the Accounts Assistants team, creating a culture of high challenge, high support, and professional growth.
• Strengthening controls by proactively identifying treasury risks, process inefficiencies, and implementing effective solutions.
• Working collaboratively across directorates to improve financial practice and ensure robust, efficient operations.

Are you ready to bring strategic treasury expertise to a mission-driven organisation? Can you combine technical cash management precision with collaborative energy to ensure our financial operations enable us to focus on ending the devastation of dementia?

Rolling applications

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis for this role. There is no fixed deadline. We will continue to review applications until the role is filled. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as we may close the vacancy once we've made a successful appointment.

About Alzheimer's Society

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 groundbreaking 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 Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. 

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people. 

Our hiring process

During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.Please also contact Alzheimer’s Society Talent Acquisition Team for application support or any adjustments you might need.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.

We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a DBS check at the relevant level.

Giving back to you

Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society. 

You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it’s like to be an employee at the Society.