Northreach is a dynamic recruitment agency that connects businesses with top talent in the Advanced Therapies sector. Our mission is to provide a seamless and personalised recruitment experience for clients and candidates, and to create a positive work environment that encourages equality, innovation, and professional growth.
Principal Funding Manager – Rare Disease Portfolio
We are seeking a Principal Funding Manager to lead the grant funding activity within the Rare Disease focus area for a prominent organization. Reporting to the Head of Funding, this role encompasses overseeing the entire funding lifecycle, from pre-award to post-award, while managing a team of Senior Managers and Managers within the Funding team. The Rare Disease funding portfolio is both significant and complex, requiring high-quality oversight and delivery to maximize impact.
This role also involves providing expert scientific and technical advice to applicants and awardees at all levels, ensuring funding is aligned with strategic objectives. A deep understanding of translational research and the rare disease ecosystem is essential.
In addition, the Principal Funding Manager will contribute to the continuous development of funding policies and processes, playing a critical role in shaping the organization's funding framework and safeguarding its financial investments.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the organization’s multi-million-pound Rare Disease funding portfolio across its lifecycle, ensuring high-quality science is funded and positioned to deliver patient impact while safeguarding financial commitments.
* Line manage and mentor a team of funding professionals, effectively allocating responsibilities to minimize risks and maximize team performance.
* Develop and enhance the organization’s funding framework, including policies, processes, and operations, to ensure responsible and effective funding.
* Represent the organization as a funder within the rare disease ecosystem, leveraging networks to enhance its profile and impact.
* Collaborate across teams to integrate the funding function into broader organizational goals, ensuring a high standard of performance and a collaborative approach.
* Handle challenging situations diplomatically, maintaining the organization’s reputation as a credible and value-added funder.
* Act as the primary internal and external expert on Rare Disease funding, staying abreast of developments in the field and advising on funding strategy.
* Champion Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) in funding activities, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
Education & Experience Requirements:
* A degree in a scientific discipline, ideally with a PhD, and several years’ experience in translational research, gained in industry, academia, consulting, or funding environments.
* Strong foundational knowledge of life sciences.
* Extensive experience in rare disease translational research, across modalities and development stages, with a strong understanding of relevant ecosystems.
* Proven credibility and experience working as a peer or advisor with senior academics and stakeholders.
* Significant experience in designing, establishing, and managing funding programs, with a deep understanding of funding policies, legal requirements, and multi-million-pound initiatives.
* Familiarity with the UK and international translational research funding landscapes, including stakeholders and differences between ecosystems.
* Knowledge of IP, regulatory considerations, and downstream development for therapeutics and diagnostics in rare diseases.
Northreach is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and hiring practices, therefore only partner with business that promote DEI. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees.