Employment Opportunities

Equine Grants Manager

Competitive salary + excellent benefits

Hybrid working (London office)

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) is a statutory arm’s length body of Government overseeing the collection and distribution of a levy on betting on British racing. The levy, normally raising over £100m annually, is used for the improvement of horseracing and breeds of horse, and for veterinary science and education for the benefit of the thoroughbred horse.

We are seeking an Equine Grants Manager to join our small, dedicated grants team that oversees around £10m of grants per year. Reporting to the Head of Grants, you will have one direct report. The role is pivotal in supporting equine veterinary science, research and education, a complex and wide-ranging area of activity comprising around £3m per year of expenditure. This is an exciting opportunity to have a real and valued impact at the heart of a unique organisation that plays a key role in funding British horseracing.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Servicing several expert committees, including the HBLB’s main veterinary grant-giving committee. This will require excellent communication, organisational and administrative skills and the ability to work effectively with experts in the field.
  • Managing grant awards through the full lifecycle, from invitation and application through initial assessment, decision-making processes, ongoing evaluation, reporting and publicity.
  • Administering and monitoring awarded grants, ensuring that their impact, performance and value for money are evaluated effectively. This includes managing budgets accurately, overseeing research budgets across multiple years, active engagement with budget holders and assessing budget compliance.
  • Communicating and building close relationships with a range of stakeholders, including existing funding partners, grant recipients and their sponsoring institutions.
  • Demonstrating the value of HBLB’s investment by developing communication to both racing and scientific audiences about the long-term findings and benefits of funded activities.

The ideal candidate will bring:

  • Significant, successful experience managing grants, contracts and/or funding programmes.
  • A proactive and analytical approach to monitoring performance, impact and value for money.
  • An understanding of public body reporting requirements, including an appreciation of Government Functional Standards and relevant appraisal techniques.
  • Personal gravitas and appreciation of the subject matter - while professional experience in the veterinary or equine research world is not essential, the successful candidate will need sufficient understanding and credibility to engage with senior academics, committee members and experts, quickly gaining mutual respect and building strong working relationships in these fields.
  • Excellent organisational, evaluation and reporting skills.
  • Strong written and verbal communication.

    • In return we offer a competitive salary, hybrid working and an excellent benefits package. This is anticipated as being a full-time role, but we are open to exploring a different working pattern for the right candidate. To apply please email your CV to search@conundrum.co.uk and a covering letter including remuneration details to Hugh Nickerson at Conundrum Consulting Ltd.

    All direct and third-party responses will be forwarded to Conundrum.

    The closing date for applications will be Monday 7th September 2026.

    The Horserace Betting Levy Board is an equal opportunities employer. Conundrum Consulting Limited is an HR Consultancy and Executive Search & Selection business.

    Last Updated: 07 August 2026