Strategic Research Development Manager

Imperial Enterprise; City of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK is seeking a Strategic Research Development Manager to lead the development of high-value research funding proposals. You will work across disciplines and with global partners to identify funding opportunities and manage complex submissions. The role offers a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a collaborative work culture aimed at making a global impact through research.

Benefits

39 days’ annual leave

Generous pension schemes

Flexible working policy

On-site leisure facilities

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Expertise in identifying and managing large-scale, international research funding bids.
• Strong project management skills for end-to-end proposal development.
• Skilled at advising on proposal strategy, content, and submission.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of cross-disciplinary research funding proposals.
• Work closely with academics to identify funding opportunities.
• Provide strategic guidance for complex submissions.

Skills

Identifying large-scale research funding bids

Project management

Advising on proposal strategy

Confident communication

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

The Strategic Research Development Manager will work pro-actively to convene, develop, and support multidisciplinary expertise for the development of ambitious external funding applications, in collaboration with global partners.

The role will have responsibility for supporting the development of high quality funding applications from a range of funding sources.

Responsibilities

In this role, you will lead the development of high-value, cross-disciplinary research funding proposals, helping shape impactful global partnerships. You’ll work closely with academics across Imperial to identify major international funding opportunities, guide strategic bid development, and manage complex submissions from start to finish. You’ll be a trusted advisor, bringing insight, structure, and creativity to research initiatives that align with institutional priorities. This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the heart of a collaborative, forward-thinking team driving global research excellence.

Qualifications

• Expertise in identifying and managing large-scale, international research funding bids, including multi-partner proposals over £1M.
• Strong project management skills, supporting end-to-end proposal development across disciplines and sectors.
• Skilled at advising academics and partners on proposal strategy, content, and submission processes.
• Confident communicator with ability to critique and improve technical and non-technical aspects of funding applications.
• Strategic thinker with experience aligning funding efforts to institutional goals and building research networks.
• Proactive, collaborative, and credible advisor with strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation abilities.

Benefits

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
• Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
• Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Further information

The role is situated in Imperial’s Global Development Hub, which brings together Imperial’s community to maximise the global impact of our world-leading research, education and innovation, engage with the United Nations Sustainable Agenda 2030, and work with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised in societies where multiple global challenges are acutely concentrated. The Hub is situated within the International Relations Office (IRO) - a busy, highly-visible central unit responsible for supporting the development and delivery of the university’s international engagement with academic partners and overseas governments.

If you require any further details about the role, please contact: Clare Turner

Email: [e-mail]