At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic projects to improve cancer care and influence decision-making.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leading charity dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in health and science policy while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy projects and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
This role will be known internally as Health & Science Policy Senior Strategy Manager.
Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 plus benefits
Reports to: Strategic Delivery Lead - PIC
Directorate: Policy, Information & Communications (PIC)
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, Highflex. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: 16 November 2026
Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
Recruitment Process: Two-stage interview process, including a presentation exercise.
Interview Dates: W/C 23rd & 30th November 2026.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We're looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Strategy Manager to be the first dedicated strategy role in our Policy, Information & Communications (PIC) directorate. You'll help establish and shape a new strategy capability within the directorate, with a clear aim: to identify the most important strategic opportunities across health and science, improve how we prioritise, and focus our resources where we can have the greatest impact for people affected by cancer. Working closely with, and directly for, the PIC Executive Director, and with the Senior Leadership Team, you'll provide insight, foresight and evidence-based recommendations that support strategic decision-making. This is a role for someone who enjoys working with lots of different people. You'll build strong partnerships with colleagues across PIC and beyond, including Research & Innovation, so that strategy is shaped with the teams.
What will I be doing?
- Lead and deliver strategic projects supporting PIC priorities, from initial scoping through to recommendations and handover to delivery teams, leading flexible teams and external consultants where needed.
- Establish a PIC strategy capability, building the relationships, ways of working and credibility with teams across PIC that will help it succeed, make the case for additional capacity and, if that goes ahead, line manage a Strategy Manager.
- Build trusted working relationships across PIC and the wider organisation, bringing people together around shared priorities, even when views differ.
- Conduct horizon scanning across the health, science and R&D landscape, bringing in external insight from policy developments, market trends, partners, stakeholders and people affected by cancer, to identify emerging trends, risks and opportunities.
- Produce high-quality analysis, presentations and recommendations for Executive Directors and Senior Leadership Teams.
- Contribute to PIC's Strategic Advisory Group, which brings in external expertise to inform our strategic thinking.
What are we looking for?
- Significant experience leading and delivering strategy projects or programmes in a large, complex organisation, getting work done by influencing and coordinating colleagues across several teams, including people more senior than you, rather than relying on formal authority.
- Experience of setting up new ways of working, or establishing a new capability, in an organisation.
- A collaborative and independent thinker who is approachable and builds trust quickly, listens well, and can challenge constructively and handle disagreement with confidence and sensitivity, while still driving strategic outcomes.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills.
- Proven horizon scanning, foresight and strategic insight capabilities.
- Strong analytical skills with qualitative and quantitative research expertise.
- Knowledge of the health sector, science policy environment, research sector and/or wider R&D landscape.
Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.
We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact or 0 as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.
Senior Strategy Manager in London employer: Cancer Research Horizons
Join a leading legal practice that values its employees and fosters a supportive work culture, perfect for an Agricultural and Rural Affairs Solicitor. With competitive salaries and opportunities for professional development, you will thrive in an environment that encourages growth while making a meaningful impact on the lives of farming families and rural businesses. Located in a vibrant community, our firm offers unique advantages such as flexible working arrangements and a commitment to work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Strategy Manager in London
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Cancer Research Horizons.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Cancer Research Horizons.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Strategy Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Cancer Research Horizons.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Cancer Research Horizons. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research Horizons
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Cancer Research Horizons, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Cancer Research Horizons, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Cancer Research Horizons could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Cancer Research Horizons as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
