Recruitment for Grant Operations Manager at Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity
The Brief
Charity People worked exclusively with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) to recruit a Grant Operations Manager on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The role was pivotal to the charity’s Impact and Charitable Programmes Department, overseeing grant governance, compliance, and operational excellence across the grant lifecycle.
The ideal candidate needed to bring a blend of research governance expertise, committee management experience, and a strategic mindset to continuously improve grant processes. The role also required strong interpersonal skills to liaise across clinical, academic, and finance stakeholders.
The Charity
GOSH Charity supports one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals, funding groundbreaking research, cutting-edge equipment, and life-changing support services. Every day, around 750 seriously ill children arrive at GOSH for life-saving treatment. The charity plays a vital role in enabling pioneering medical breakthroughs and improving outcomes for children and families.
The Role
The Grant Operations Manager would:
- Lead long-term grant governance planning and compliance
- Oversee grant finances and budgeting
- Support the delivery of business plans and KPIs
- Support the transition to a new Grant Management System
- Line manage two Grants Operations Officers
- Deputise for senior leaders and build strong internal and external relationships
Our Search Strategy
We delivered a bespoke, multi-channel search strategy combining:
- Targeted headhunting using our extensive network in the research and grant funding space
- LinkedIn Recruiter to identify and engage passive candidates
- Charity People’s database of sector professionals
- Key sector connections to amplify the opportunity through referrals
The Results
- 40 candidates responded to the search.
- We conducted 20 screening calls with prospective candidates
- A strong longlist of 8 candidates was submitted
- 4 candidates were shortlisted for interview, each receiving interview preparation support to ensure they could present their experience confidently and clearly
The Impact
The successful candidate brought a strong background in research governance and grant operations, aligning with GOSH Charity’s strategic goals. Ross Matthews, Grant Operations Manager started in August 2025.
”I've recently had the pleasure of going through a successful recruitment process with Jen that has led me to being placed in a great role, team & organisation. I have to say that dealing with Jen didn't feel like working with an agency at all. She truly invests in her clients and is understanding of how they are feeling in what is both a stressful time & competitive job market to navigate. She was so lovely & helpful to talk to and the communication was regular, informative & helped with preparation for interview. She was genuinely supportive & the service provided was exactly what you want as well as how you want to be treated when looking for a new role. It was such a positive experience for me, I wholeheartedly recommend using Jen & Charity People for your recruitment needs!
Ross MatthewsGrant Operations Manager at Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity
”I have recently worked with Jen on a recruitment to my team, with a relatively tight timeframe. Jen provided a very professional service, managed the full process and saved me significant amounts of time. She delivered a high quality shortlist that resulted in a successful hire to the team. She was open and transparent about the process, putting inclusivity at the heart it, which very much aligns with our organisational values. Jen was a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend her!
Harriet J. ClarkeSenior Grants Operations Manager at Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity
