Research Director, Huo Family Foundation

The Huo Family Foundation is a grant-giving foundation based in London. Its mission is to support education, communities, and the pursuit of knowledge. The Foundation’s current focus is in four main areas: scientific research; education; the arts, and public policy. Since its inception in 2009, it has pledged over $70 million to impactful projects in the UK, US and China.

The Foundation wishes to establish a programme of grant-giving to scientific research. The initial focus for funding is on the impact of digital technology on adolescent brain development.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join our team as Research Director. S/he will play a critical role in shaping and implementing the Foundation's scientific research strategy, which will include the creation of a funding panel and peer review process.  The target group for funding is researchers working in Higher Education Institutions in the UK and US.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in a STEM subject, preferably in biology or biomedicine, with good working knowledge of the areas of science and research relevant to the Foundation’s mission.  S/he will have experience of successfully developing research and funding strategies, managing deliverables, and overseeing the funded portfolio.

The Role

This is a varied role which requires a self-starter and an established leader with extensive experience of science research funding at a senior level. The ideal candidate will design and implement a sustainable and impactful grant-giving programme to scientific research.  The role will work closely with the part-time Programme Director, an eminent Professor, and will report to the CEO of the Huo Family Foundation.

The key responsibilities of the role are:

• Strategic and administrative leadership - we are seeking someone with passion of developing, implementing and communicating a coherent grant-giving strategy within the science arena.  You will be adept at building and maintaining both the back-office operations and outward facing relationships.
• Horizon scanning, monitoring and impact assessment - you will have the knowledge, experience and foresight to ensure that the necessary mechanisms and tools are in place to support impactful and best-in-class research projects.
• Relationship building - you will have experience of working with senior academics, researchers, sector leaders, executives and boards. You will be comfortable working in diverse settings, in partnership with other stakeholders in the academic, medical and charity sectors, industry and policy.
• Operational management - you will be responsible for the management of the overall funding portfolio (£10-15m pa), including overseeing the required budgeting and disbursing of funds and overseeing the full life cycle from pre-award to post-award reporting. You will work closely with the Foundation’s CEO and CFO to ensure effective and transparent financial management of the grant portfolio.

Skills and experience:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. 
• Strong leadership and project management skills, proactive and hands on, a natural problem solver.

In addition, the following skills and experience are preferred:

• A PhD in biomedical or a related STEM subject. Knowledge and understanding of the changing scientific, health and social care landscape.
• Demonstrable track record of successfully developing research and/or funding strategies, managing deliverables and the funded portfolio. This will include setting up and/or running operational and governance processes (e.g. grant application, assessment, portfolio analyses database, peer-review, monitoring, impact assessment, reporting and dissemination of outputs).
• Experience of working in a relevant organisation such as a grant-giving foundation, higher education or government research funder.
• Experience of supporting senior decision-making at Board level. This will include experience of analysing data, tracking and evaluating initiatives, and synthesising data for board consideration.

Location: Central London

Hours: Full-time. Flexible working arrangement considered

Contract: 3 years, with possibility of extension

Salary:

• Competitive and commensurate with experience. 
• Comprehensive benefits package, including pension and health insurance

Please send your CV and Cover Letter to recruitment@facultyroad.com.

The Huo Family Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of employment. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.