Research Funding Development Manager

Dunhillmedical; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 38,784 - 47,389; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working opportunities

Generous annual leave

Job summary

The University of Sheffield seeks a Research Funding Development Manager to support funding growth and to develop the funding track record of researchers within the RFD team. You will work to optimise research income, develop priority areas, and liaise with funders and academia to deliver impact.

This full-time, hybrid role is graded at 7 with a competitive salary and extensive benefits. Informal enquiries can be made to Graham Kiddle, Head of Research Funding Developemt: on

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of existing technical knowledge to enable delivery of priorities across a broad research area.
• Ability to work independently, flexibly and collaboratively in a matrix management structure - with an ability to understand and focus on end-user needs, prioritise workloads and adapt own skills to new circumstances.
• Evidence of attention to detail, but also ability to elevate thinking and approach to the bigger picture/objectives.
• Evidence of ability to understand priorities at different levels and articulate RPI contribution appropriately.
• Evidence of ability to form and maintain good professional relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Evidence of a constructive and productive contribution to continuous improvement and user experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead research development support for key priorities.
• Build a detailed knowledge associated with your priorities, including developing and analysing knowledge from funders and academics across faculties.
• Understand benefits and requirements for development; recommend approaches and plan effectively.
• Utilise expertise to deliver your own activity and plan for others; lead on some priorities.
• Specialise initially in research funding development aligned to priority needs.
• Over time priorities will evolve and you will develop additional expertise.
• Work in a highly collaborative manner within the RFD team, RPI department, and with academic communities.
• Balance recurrent, responsive and reactive priorities with proportionate effort.
• Contribute to the team’s development and the University’s objectives; share practice and flag risks.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit.

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Title: Research Funding Development Manager

Posting Start Date: 29/07/2026

Job Id: 2839

Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 30/08/2026

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

RPI supports agreed University, Faculty and School priorities for research and innovation: income generation, research excellence, PGR experience, partnership development and knowledge exchange leading to income and/or impact and commercialisation of IP and student enterprise. Our focus is on delivering professional, value-add advice and support to our community of researchers and innovators. We are a well-connected team which understands the priorities of the organisation and our external stakeholders and customers and the external environment in which we operate. Team members collaborate, reflect, develop their skills and have a risk-appropriate mindset of continuous improvement to our processes, policy and approach.

The Research Funding Development (RFD) team has a key role in developing and implementing strategies to optimise research income and develop the funding track record of academics who work in or contribute to research aligned to the University's research strengths, whilst also managing funder or University requirements.

You will have a vital role in supporting research funding development in the University and will focus on developing funding in priority areas. You will build in depth knowledge of your priority areas, understand the specific requirements for funding development and work with the academic community relevant to a priority. You will recommend suitable approaches, seeking consistency where possible, and be able to plan and deliver a range of activities with expertise.

We are looking for a motivated individual who thrives in a highly collaborative environment. You will have the flexibility to tailor your approach to the needs of a priority and as such you will require a broad understanding of research funding development as a basis to continuously develop your expertise and confidence to deliver specialist support and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the team.

The focus of this role is to support University aspirations for research income growth by:

• developing support plans for specific priorities, appropriate to the priority.
• proportionate implementation, including when responding to funder or University requirements.

Typical deliverables will include:

• Contribute to priority identification and development utilising a depth of knowledge and understanding of an opportunity, the capacity to respond, and what would be required for a successful outcome.
• Plan implementation appropriate to the requirements of the priority. E.g. cross-faculty commitment, involvement of staff across teams, risks or restrictions with the funding.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Develop and lead research development support for key priorities.
• Build a detailed knowledge associated with your priorities, this will include developing and analysing knowledge from funders, academic colleagues across different faculties and other professional services teams.
• Understand the benefits of, and requirements for, development in a specific area to recommend suitable approaches, plan effectively and positively influence decisions and future strategy.
• Utilise a range of expertise to deliver your own activity and plan for potential requirements on others to ensure coherent action. You will be expected to lead on some priorities and contribute expertise to priorities led by others.
• You will specialise initially in research funding development activity most relevant to the needs of your immediate priorities, examples may include, contributing to review panels, or developing collaboration.
• Over time priorities will evolve and you will need to develop additional expertise to adapt to changing requirements, contributing to your personal development but also enhancing the flexibility and breadth of what the team can deliver.
• Work in a highly collaborative manner within the RFD team, RPI department, other professional colleagues and with academic communities whose research aligns with the research funding opportunities you’re prioritising.
• Ensure an appropriate balance of recurrent, responsive and reactive priorities, ensuring efforts are proportionate and purposeful wherever possible and using judgement to both manage expectations and retain strong relationships.
• Contribute to our team's development, and the contribution we make to the University, evaluating approaches we take, sharing practice, proposing adjustments and flagging where there may be underlying issues or risks.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Stage(s) assessed at

A degree or equivalent experience

E

Application

Evidence of existing technical knowledge (or evidence that you can learn it in a limited timeframe) to enable delivery of priorities across a broad research area and structural boundaries

E

Application/ Interview

Ability to work independently, flexibly and collaboratively in a matrix management structure - with an ability to understand and focus on end-user needs, prioritise workloads and adapt own skills to new circumstances.

E

Application/ Interview

Evidence both of appropriate attention to detail, but also the ability to elevate your thinking and approach to the bigger picture/objectives

E

Application/ Interview

Evidence of ability to understand priorities at different levels in the organisation and to articulate RPI contribution appropriately

E

Application/ Interview

Evidence that you form and maintain good professional working relationships and facilitate collaborative working practices with internal and external partners and stakeholders, demonstrating curiosity about and consideration for the needs, and views of others

E

Application/

Interview

Evidence that you can make a constructive and productive contribution to both disciplinary (local) and multi-disciplinary teams with a focus on continuous improvement and user experience

E

Application/ Interview

Demonstrate that you are able to take an evidence-based approach, analysing and interpreting a range of information, to provide advice, and make recommendations.

E

Application/ Interview

A good understanding of the external R&I landscape and how it relates to and impacts on your role and the work of RPI

E

Application/ Interview

Further Information

Grade

7

£38,784 - £47,389 per annum with the potential to progress to £51,753 per annum through sustained exceptional contribution

Work arrangement

Full-time

Line manager

Research Funding Development Lead (RFDL)

Our website

www.sheffield.ac.uk/rpi

For informal enquiries about this job contact Graham Kiddle, Head of Research Funding Developemt:

on [e-mail]

Next Steps in the Recruitment Process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place before the end of September. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 11th September. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [e-mail].

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision.

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways and Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies:
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits .

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria you will be invited to interview

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

The University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
[phone]