Location
IWM London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£42,500 - £45,000

About the Role
At Imperial War Museums, we care for collections that help people understand the impact of conflict and its role in shaping our world. You'll join a team of specialists dedicated to protecting nationally significant collections and making them accessible for future generations. We foster a collaborative, supportive environment where expertise is valued, continuous learning is encouraged, and everyone contributes to preserving history for research, learning and public engagement.

This role plays a key part in delivering IWM’s new research strategy and strengthening its position as an Independent Research Organisation (IRO). By securing external funding, developing academic partnerships, and supporting knowledge exchange activity, you will help expand the reach, quality, and impact of research across the organisation.

Your work will support priority research areas including AI, creative experiences, storytelling, collections, and conflict history. By improving research capability, funding success, and collaboration, you will help ensure IWM remains a credible, competitive, and sustainable research organisation.

Key responsibilities include supporting the development and delivery of IWM’s research strategy, building and managing strategic partnerships with academic institutions, funders, and sector networks, leading horizon scanning activities, and developing high-quality funding applications that maximise impact and income. You will oversee research grants from application through to delivery, including budgeting, financial tracking, compliance, and reporting.

Additionally, you will strengthen research capability across the organisation by providing advice, sharing best practice, and supporting colleagues to develop successful funding bids. Supporting knowledge exchange activity through collaborations, events, and dissemination of research outputs will also be a key part of your role. Monitoring research performance, funding success, and impact, providing reporting and insight to support decision-making, and line managing the Research and Knowledge Exchange Officer while supporting the operational delivery of the wider research programme are also essential duties.

Interviews for this post are planned for the beginning of September.

Benefits
The benefits listed below are discretionary and IWM reserves the right, with due notice, to vary or withdraw them at any time. All such benefits apply during the course of your employment only.

Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays, increasing to 27 days after 3 years and 30 days after 5 years.
Company Group Pension Plan: Competitive employer contributions starting at 7% up to 12%.
Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Benefits.
IWM4me: Access to tailored health, protection, and lifestyle benefits at corporate rates.
Free Sanitary Products across all sites.
Retail Discounts: 25% off IWM Cafes, 20% discount in on-site shops, and additional retail discounts via Benefits hub and MyActive.
Free Entry to IWM Air Shows and Partner Museums & Galleries.
In-House Training Programmes.
Season Ticket Loan Scheme.
Cycle 2 Work & Cycle Hire schemes.
Eye Tests: Reimbursement up to £80 for eye tests and glasses.
Employee Assistance Programme.
Benenden Healthcare & Dental Insurance (subject to terms).
Civil Service Sports Club Membership.
Staff Events and Networks.
And more.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to a basic DBS check, which shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.

Equal Opportunities and Flexible Working
IWM is committed to equal opportunities and removing barriers to make the organisation open to everyone. Our Access and Inclusion strategy promotes openness, inclusivity, and diversity in employment practices, services, and facilities.

We seek greater diversity within our workforce and the wider museum and heritage sector. We value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture where you can balance a successful career with your commitments outside work.

Flexible and agile working options may be available and can be discussed during the recruitment process.

Experience
- Managing or supporting research funding applications, including major external funders such as UKRI, AHRC, or similar.
- Strong understanding of research processes, governance, ethics, and compliance requirements.
- Managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
- Producing high-quality funding bids and applications.
- Financial awareness and experience supporting grant management activities.
- Monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on research activity and impact.
- Leading, managing, or developing others.
- Building partnerships with academic institutions or research organisations.
- Working collaboratively and influencing a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

About you
You are a trusted adviser who supports researchers, project leads, and teams involved in collections, curatorial activity, and public engagement. You collaborate effectively with academic partners, funding bodies, and sector networks to develop new opportunities and deliver impactful research programmes. You help colleagues navigate funding, governance, and compliance requirements while promoting best practice across the organisation.

Qualifications
Not explicitly stated, but experience with research funding, governance, and partnership development is essential.