Research Manager

www.nationalmuseums.org.uk - Jobboard; London; On-site; GBP 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading museum is seeking a Research Manager to oversee research projects and financial administration. This role involves managing budgets, ensuring compliance with funding requirements, and supporting grant holders. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in project management and financial oversight.

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days

Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme

Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions

Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans

Professional and personal development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience of managing complex research projects.
• Experience in financial administration.
• Ability to understand and manage budgets.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of research accounts.
• Coordinate project budgets and reporting.
• Support development of research funding applications.

Skills

Managing complex research projects

Financial administration

Budget management

Communication skills

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Job description

Research Manager
Research Archives and Libraries
Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break)
Fixed term (18 months)
£34,713 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 11 August 2025

About the role:

In this position, you will be responsible for the project management, budget support, and financial administration of both internal and externally funded research projects across the full project cycle (design, fund, report, deposit). You will work within a central team delivering high-quality Post-Award support to grant holders. Your duties will include managing a portfolio of research accounts and overseeing reporting compliance with funder terms and conditions.

Key areas of responsibility:

* Manage a portfolio of research accounts, provide financial support and advice to grant holders and ensure compliance with funder terms and conditions
* Work with project leads and researchers to co-ordinate project budgets and reporting, ensuring that reports are delivered to funders in a timely fashion.
* Support the development of research funding applications, advising on content, resource and budget requirements.
* Provide guidance to curatorial and research staff throughout the research project lifecycle and quality control of research items for deposit.
* Work as part of a team focussed on raising research quality and delivering, monitoring and reporting on the Museum's research programme in line with the Research Strategy and Operating Plan.

About you:

* Experience of managing complex research projects
* Experience of financial administration
* Ability to understand and manage budgets.
* Experience of funding bid preparation, submission processes and reporting.
* Degree in a subject relevant to the Museum collection, or equivalent experience
* An ability to interpret and communicate relevant information from complex funding and strategy documentation for different audiences
* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
* Ability to work effectively across disciplines to support activities as part of a team

About the British Museum:

Founded in 1753, the British Museum's remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, and its world-famous collection includes the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen. The Museum also holds an extensive collection of prints and drawings spanning 600 years, including works by the greatest graphic artists such as Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.

You can view a selection of our impressive collection of prints and drawings in our virtual gallery.

The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:

* Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years' service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays.
* Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
* Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
* Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections.
* Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans
* Professional and personal development opportunities
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Discounts on food and gift shop purchases

Additional details:

For more information about this role, please see the job description.

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that employees have the right to work in the UK. If you currently do not hold the right to work in the UK, we can only sponsor a limited number of roles that meet eligibility criteria. To offer a sponsorship, the job role you apply needs to be in the list of eligible occupations: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations. Additionally (with some limited exceptions), the role will need to meet the new minimum salary threshold of £41,700 or the going rate for the job, whichever is the highest. You can find more information here: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job



The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a mus

National Museum Directors' Council, Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG.