Director of Commercial & Funding Operations

Job description

**Salary:** £135,000 **Bonus:** Discretionary **Location:** Kings X, London; Tues - Thurs (3 days) at HQ, Monday + Friday, anywhere **Employment Type:** Permanent, full time ARIA is a R&D funding agency created to unlock technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible. From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on. Our success is shaped by one question: how will ARIA transform the lives of the UK’s future generations? Whether that’s a life-changing new technology or a burgeoning new industry, it should be obvious that ARIA played a catalytic role. **Role Summary** As a Director of Commercial & Funding Operations, you will work with Programme Directors to turn scientific and technical theses into funding strategies, calls, selection processes, and signed awards; set ARIA’s approach to sourcing and supplier management; and oversee the policies and processes that support compliance with public-sector grant, procurement, and commercial requirements. Reporting directly to our COO, you will lead the function, strengthen the systems and processes it relies on, and bring clear judgement to the novel or complex situations that arise in ARIA’s work. This role would suit someone who has led a complex funding, investment, procurement, or commercial operation and enjoys moving between strategy and practical delivery.