Research Grants Officer

Alzheimers Society

Hours
35 hours per week

Length of contract
June 2027

About the Organisation

Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity, and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by providing 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 ensure that our focus remains clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead, reminding us of what we all stand for.

About the role

At Alzheimer’s Society, we are advisors, supporters, fundraisers, researchers, influencers, communicators, technical specialists, and so much more. We are volunteers, we are employees, and together we are here to make a difference to the lives of people with dementia and their carers. We are looking for someone who exemplifies our values, someone who is determined to make a difference when and where it matters most. A trusted expert who believes in working better together and demonstrates true Compassion.

Responsibilities

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Day-to-day management of grant funding competitions and an active grants portfolio, reporting to the Research Grants Manager.  
• Responsibility for ensuring that the Society receives high-quality peer review advice to inform research funding decisions.
• Contributing to the continual development of the research programme to improve its efficiency, for instance, through implementing and evaluating changes to the application process and active grant management.

Grants Management:

• Management of grant applications.
• Providing a professional contact service by email, phone or in person to potential applicants to ensure that the Society receives high-quality grant applications.
• Processing applications through the selection process via the online grants platform.
• Being responsible for ensuring the Society receives high-quality independent peer review advice to use in making funding decisions.
• Management of lay review by Research Network volunteers.
• Preparing papers and other particulars for the selection panel meetings.
• Attending selection panels and drafting minutes.
• Informing applicants of outcomes. 

Management of Funding Awards:

• Preparing contracts for awards.
• Working with Research Information Manager and fundraising colleagues to understand requirements for progress reporting, and ensuring these are adhered to. 

Other Grants Management Tasks:

• Updating and developing information on the website aimed at potential applicants.
• Day-to-day management of the dedicated online grants database.
• Preparing reports and analyses on trends in the grant funding programme, which will in turn contribute to its strategic development.

Relationship Management:

• Responsible for building and developing a wide range of connections with all sectors of the dementia research community, from researchers at the start of their careers through to influential leaders in academia and senior clinicians. 
• Influence members of the research community to advocate for and publicise Alzheimer’s Society’s research programme amongst peers.
• Ensure that researchers who provide their time to support the research programme (through peer review or providing other advice) have a positive experience and feel valued, so as to provide their continued support

Supporting and Coordinating Other Activities of the Research and Influencing Directorate:

• Answering queries from the general public.
• Supporting the organisation and delivery of the Annual Conference and Early Career Researcher Retreat. 
• Assisting with the management of the Research Network volunteers and the hosting of public and patient involvement events. 

Data Collection and Analysis:

• Preparing reports and analyses on trends in the grant funding programme so as to contribute to the strategic development of the research programme. 
• Preparing data and reports for external bodies, such as the Association of Medical Research Charities.
• Capturing publications and other outputs arising from funded research.

Other Duties:

• To be a representative of the Research and Influencing Directorate at conferences and stakeholder meetings.
• To work as a full member of the Research and Influencing Directorate and provide cover for other members of the team as required.
• To develop partnership opportunities with other organisations and charities that help to fulfil the strategic ambitions of the Research and Influencing Directorate.
• To undertake any other duties or projects commensurate with the nature and grade of this post as required.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Skills & Knowledge: 

• Proven experience in grants management, research administration or a similar role 
• Experience in managing and manipulating data sets 
• Knowledge of dementia, health research environment and research communities  
• Understanding of volunteer roles in charities 
• Knowledge of scientific search engines 
• Ability to develop working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior researchers 
• Ability to present and lead discussions with smaller audiences 
• Ability to plan, prioritise and deliver to tight timescales 
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality 

Competencies & Personal Attributes: 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, enabling effective communication with a variety of different audiences 
• Work collaboratively and be able to prioritise your workload effectively and remain solution-focused throughout 
• Strong interpersonal and interpretation skills, which enable open, jargon-free conversations with both internal and external stakeholders 
• Excellent organisational, administrative and timekeeping skills with excellent attention to detail with all tasks 
• Flexible approach to work 
• Willingness to work away from home, including occasional overnight travel
• Understanding of the inclusion agenda and its relevance within a diverse society 
• Be a team player, supporting colleagues when there are deadlines and develop new solutions
• Incredibly self-motivated, with strong initiative and ability to work independently 

Required Qualifications

• A relevant degree in a biomedical or health discipline or relevant experience 

Compensation & Benefits

• Paid compassionate and bereavement leave
• Paid time off work to support
• Annual leave of 27 days, increasing to 30, plus bank holidays
• Career breaks of up to 3 months
• Flexible working
• Wellbeing leave
• Health Cash Plan
• Paid dependants leave
• Values Hero and Society Legend Awards
• Group Personal Pension Plan
• Scottish Widows - with up to 8% employer contribution rate
• Life Assurance Scheme - two times your annual salary
• Home Allowance of £312 per year
• Discounted gym membership with Society Plus
• Mental health app and unlimited therapy
• Women in Leadership Development Programme
• Leadership development programme
• Financial support towards relevant professional qualifications, enhanced family leave - 16 weeks paid for all parents
• Paid time off work for fertility treatments for both partners, paid carers' leave

Working locations

• Home-based

How to apply

• Apply to our website
• Please also contact Alzheimer’s Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need.

Interviews

• Interviews for this role are provisionally scheduled to take place during the week commencing 1st June 2026.

Policies

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, helps us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.

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