At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic projects to shape health and science policy at Cancer Research UK.
- Company: Join a leading charity dedicated to beating cancer with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Inclusive environment encouraging diverse applications and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fight against cancer while shaping strategic initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy delivery 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 recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 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 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
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Cancer Research Horizons!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Senior Strategy Manager position at Cancer Research Horizons via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Strategy Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Cancer Research Horizons.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Cancer Research Horizons’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research Horizons
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Cancer Research Horizons. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Cancer Research Horizons. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Cancer Research Horizons.
