Deputy Head of Research Funding
The British Academy
- Closing: 12:00pm, 2nd Mar 2026 GMT
Job Description
The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Deputy Head to join our Research Funding Department, providing key support in the delivery of a range of research funding programmes, in particular the operational management of the British Academy’s relationship with the British International Research Institutes (BIRI).
ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW
The Academy plays a crucial role as a funder in the UK’s Higher Education landscape, providing support for talent at a wide range of career stages from early-career to senior researchers. This role works closely with the Head of Research Funding to ensure the robust and successful delivery of a range of programmes including the Academy’s flagship Postdoctoral Fellowships and Small Research Grants. In particular, the Deputy Head directly manages the Academy’s relationship with the 9 British International Research Institutes, each of which is a separate entity, and has its own programme of activity.
The role holder also works proactively to raise awareness of the Academy’s funding opportunities with universities and independent research organisations across the UK. As the Academy moves towards full integration of its Grants Management System, Flexi-Grant, with our new CRM, Salesforce, the Deputy Head will play a crucial role in supporting the team to deliver this major new project.
We are looking for someone who has strong organisational capability with demonstrable attention to detail. You will need to be resilient to manage a fast-paced, demanding workload and multiple activity. Confidence in dealing with financial management and figures and budgets is essential. Commitment to a collaborative approach across the team, the broader Research Directorate and wider Academy, as well as tactful, empathetic and non-bureaucratic support for award-holders and applicants.
OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Overseeing and Leading the Academy’s relationship with the BIRI
Take the lead responsibility for developing processes for the efficient management of the Academy’s relationship with the BIRI – each of which is a separate entity with its own administrative and operational structure.
Provide expert knowledge and advice about the delivery of the core programme of support for the BIRI programme and the management and delivery of additional projects.
Advise and support the Director of Research, Head of Research Funding, the Academy’s senior management and Officers, Committees and personnel relating to the BIRI programme.
2. Leadership and Line Management
Take a lead role ensuring excellent communication systems are in place to share information in an effective and timely manner across the Research Funding Team and with the wider Academy.
Manage a team of 2 Research Funding Managers and 1 Research Funding Officer directly and support the Managers’ line reports supporting the Research Funding Team’s professional development.
Take the lead role in delivering Learning and Development opportunities for members of the Research Funding, ECRN and M&E Team’s working in close collaboration with other Learning and Development leads across the Research Directorate and wider Academy.
Advise, support and be responsible for cascading operational timing and best practice on processes in the Research Funding Team and more widely within the Academy where appropriate.
Deputise when required for the Head of Research Funding.
3. Operational and Financial Responsibility
Take responsibility for the financial oversight of the Academy’s BIRI programme of support, liaising closely with the Head of Research Funding and the Academy’s Finance Office team, particularly the Business Development Manager (Research) to ensure that all expenditure and reporting requirements are fulfilled efficiently.
Oversee the work of the Research Funding Managers and Officers on the production of regular and ad-hoc programme reports, updates and financial analyses.
Oversee the successful delivery of integration between the Grants Management System, Flexi-Grant, and the Contacts Management System, Salesforce.
Supervise day-to-day compliance tasks (such as checking of and/or submission of financial returns).
Assist colleagues in the M&E Team with, and oversee where appropriate, independent/external reviews of the Academy’s Research Funding programmes.
4. Stakeholder Engagement
Lead the appropriate planning and delivery of a programme of university and research organisation visits to ensure awareness of the British Academy’s Research Funding programme
Liaise with the Development Team in maintaining and developing stakeholder relationships with non-governmental funding partners.
Lead the Research Funding Team in developing a programme of events and activity, including supporting Alumni relationships with past award-holders.
Represent the Academy at external meetings and events, as appropriate, to advance development, visibility and impact of the research funding portfolio.
Assist committees, steering and working groups to help deliver the Research Funding Team’s programmes.
Work with the wider Academy and the other UK national academies where relevant on specific projects, such as the APEX scheme, and other initiatives, to ensure a joined-up approach and implementation of best practice.
Provide support for other Academy activities as requested from time to time.
Key Stakeholders
Internal:
Heads and Deputy Heads across the Research and Policy Directorates; Business Development Manager (Research); Senior International Funding and Operations Lead; Development Directorate and the wider Academy; Fellows.
External:
Staff and Officers of the British International Research Institutes; Award holders and other researchers; UK National Academies; University Research Offices and other Research institutions; Training providers
ROLE REQUIREMENTS
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Works and communicates effectively
Proactive in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with others internally and externally.
Demonstrates a positive attitude towards helping others by providing appropriate support, using initiative and not waiting to be asked.
Adopts a communication style appropriate to the situation and the audience, understanding that communication is two-way.
Values others’ input and expertise, treating everyone with respect.
Shares all relevant or useful information.
Sensitive to different working styles and views, adapting where appropriate.
Willing and able to compromise and negotiate, including to resolve possible conflicts.
Able to use tact and diplomacy and to handle confidential information appropriately.
Handles difficult situations with sensitivity & respect.
Communicates effectively with staff across departments.
Promotes a positive impression of the Academy both internally and externally.
Encourages commitment and positivity in self and others.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills
Receptive to new ideas and change, adapting own ways of working as appropriate.
Proactively makes suggestions for improving processes and policies.
Aware of own strengths and weaknesses and capabilities.
Seeks and uses opportunities to learn and develop and is quick in picking up new tasks.
Shares knowledge and skillset with others.
Seeks and responds to feedback from others.
Identifies ways to support the development of other colleagues.
PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING
Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives
Prioritises tasks to meet deadlines.
Displays resilience in coping with workload.
Sets clear and structured objectives.
Keeps relevant colleagues informed and seeks input.
Evaluates and manages risk effectively.
Takes ownership of tasks, including delegating effectively where appropriate.
Monitors progress effectively and adapts plans where necessary.
Evaluates and reflects on plans and delivery and applies learning to future planning.
Continuously manages and monitors resources, challenging waste or inefficiency.
PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING
Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach
Identifies problems and opportunities and acts on them.
Has a proactive, can-do attitude, taking personal responsibility for correcting problems or resolving issues.
Focuses on solutions and manages pressure.
Copes with the unexpected.
Sets the right balance between referring decisions to the appropriate level and taking things forward without referral.
Takes a flexible approach to work, happy to take on different responsibilities in the interests of the Academy.
LEADERSHIP
Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions
Inspires personal trust, engenders kinship around a shared vision.
Shows integrity and wisdom, decisiveness and consistency, sincerity and honesty, especially under pressure.
Tackles and owns difficult issues, resolves rather than avoids conflict.
Looks to the medium and long-term future, anticipates change.
Enables and empowers others to effect change.
Is courageous, making and seeing difficult decisions through in a calm manner, handling crises well.
Takes responsibility, leads by example, attracts support.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Hybrid working, with the understanding that attendance at our London office will be required at times as dictated by job requirements.
WORKPLACE VALUES
The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.
COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively
CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives
EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others
EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow
INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear
RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems
RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference
APPLICATION PROCESS
We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview and may involve a task component.
Please note that we use AI screening software to identify responses that have been copied from AI sources and are not your own work.
The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on 2 March 2026, however, we may close this role sooner if we receive a high volume of applications. In these circumstances we will give those who have shown interest 24 hours notice of the change of deadline.
Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 16 March 2026 but this may be subject to change.
Removing bias from the hiring process
Removing bias from the hiring process
- Your application will be anonymously reviewed by our hiring team to ensure fairness
- You’ll need a CV/résumé, but it’ll only be considered if you score well on the anonymous review
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