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Principal – Funding Policy and Operations HIRING !

Location: London (Hybrid Working)
Job Type: Permanent

At LifeArc, we are committed to transforming life science research into life-changing solutions for patients. As a leading not-for-profit life science organisation in the UK, we focus on rare diseases and global health initiatives, funding research that addresses areas of unmet medical need.

We are currently seeking a senior leader to join our Funding team in the role of Principal – Funding Policy and Operations.

About the Role

The Funding Team at LifeArc oversees all grant funding activity across the organisation. This includes the development, governance, and continuous improvement of LifeArc’s funding policies, operational frameworks, and compliance systems as our funding portfolio scales internationally.

This newly created senior role will:

  • Lead policy development and operational excellence across the funding lifecycle
  • Manage a team of Funding Operations administrators
  • Ensure best-practice governance from pre-award planning through post-award management and close-out
  • Strengthen compliance, reporting, and audit-readiness across complex funding portfolios
  • Support strategic alignment between funding activities and organisational objectives

Working closely with internally facing teams and externally facing Funding Managers, this role requires deep expertise in funding governance, policy implementation, and operational leadership.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the development, integration, and operational delivery of LifeArc’s Funding Framework (policies, processes, systems, templates, and communications)
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives and support executive reporting to senior leadership and Trustee Committees
  • Build collaborative working relationships across Finance, Clinical Development, Insights, Alliance Management, Business Development, and other core functions
  • Oversee centralised tracking, portfolio reporting, and compliance across pre- and post-award funding activities
  • Line manage and mentor the Funding Operations team
  • Lead implementation of operational tools, systems enhancements, and training initiatives
  • Manage complex internal projects, including identification and deployment of new funding management technologies
  • Oversee external supplier relationships and associated budgets

Essential Experience

  • Extensive experience in funding policy, grant governance, or research funding operations (preferably within charity, medical research, or life sciences sectors)
  • Experience managing complex, high-value funding portfolios
  • Demonstrated change management experience within matrix organisations
  • Proven leadership and team management capabilities
  • Advanced knowledge of funding management IT systems, including system implementation
  • Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
  • In-depth understanding of the global research funding environment

Desirable Experience

  • Consulting background
  • Senior-level experience within a major medical research funding organisation
  • Experience funding internationally, with knowledge of UK, EU, US, and LMIC regulatory environments

Education

  • Degree educated, preferably in Life Sciences
  • Project management qualifications desirable

Skills & Competencies

  • Strategic leadership in complex, matrix structures
  • Highly organised and operationally rigorous
  • Comfortable managing ambiguity and competing priorities
  • Strong influencing skills without formal authority
  • Effective communicator across senior leadership and multidisciplinary teams
  • Proactive, solutions-focused mindset

About LifeArc

LifeArc is a UK-based not-for-profit life science organisation dedicated to accelerating the translation of research into treatments that change lives. We identify promising science in areas of unmet medical need and provide funding, expertise, and operational support to maximise patient impact.

Our work spans rare diseases and global health initiatives, supporting researchers and partners to deliver breakthroughs that put patients at the centre of everything we do.

What LifeArc Offers

  • A purpose-driven mission focused on life-changing patient impact
  • Inclusive and supportive working culture
  • Professional growth within a multidisciplinary environment
  • Hybrid working flexibility
  • Competitive salary based on experience
  • Employer pension contributions up to 12%
  • Private health insurance
  • 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays

LifeArc is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to candidates with a disability or long-term health condition who meet the essential criteria for the role (subject to application volume considerations).

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Even if your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification listed, we welcome your application. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our impact.

At LifeArc, we believe everyone has potential — and we help turn that potential into meaningful change.

How To apply

Here is the official form link

Pre application form – Principal, Funding Policy and Operations job – London – LifeArc

You can also visit the LifeArc website for more info

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