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- Tasks: Lead and manage complex projects to improve cancer research delivery.
- Company: Join Cancer Grand Challenges, a global initiative fighting cancer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and generous benefits package.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fight against cancer while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 54000 £ per year.
Delivery Manager (Cancer Grand Challenges) £46,000 - £54,000 plus benefits
Reports to: Programme Manager, Cancer Grand Challenges
Directorate: Research & Innovation
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week (we would consider applicants who wish to work compressed hours)
Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (2 days per week in the office, Monday and Thursday)
Closing date: 06 May
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: Screening calls followed by Competency based interview.
Interview date: Screening calls w/c 18 May, Interviews 1 - 3 June 2026
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. Cancer Grand Challenges are looking for a dynamic, results driven Delivery Manager to manage the end-to-end delivery of a range of medium to large projects or programmes associated with improving the delivery of the initiative.
In this exciting new role, you will be the driving force for existing and new projects, leading on core elements of the initiative in relation to governance, strategy development and finance.
About Cancer Grand Challenges: Cancer Grand Challenges is a global funding initiative founded in 2020 by the two largest funders of cancer research in the world: Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the US. This unique partnership has created an exciting opportunity to bring together the collective insight and expertise of CRUK and NCI and will enable the initiative to scale significantly over the coming years. Cancer Research UK will deliver the initiative on behalf of the partners.
For Cancer Grand Challenges, our mission is to empower the global cancer research community to come together, think differently and solve cancer’s toughest challenges, to transform outcomes for people affected by cancer.
In March 2026 we announced 5 new global teams, each of whom will be provided with research funding at scale (£25m), to enable imaginative thinking and allow the best scientists to collaborate, irrespective of geographical boundaries, to solve cancer’s most complex challenges.
What will I be doing? In this pivotal role, you’ll lead the delivery of CGC’s next phase, helping to shape its future direction. We are looking for candidates with strong stakeholder management skills, adept at influencing and with the ability to move things forward and keep momentum going. You’ll also bring experience delivering complex, multi-stakeholder projects successfully on time and within budget across a complex organisation. As a Delivery Manager you will thrive in roles that span a wide range of focus areas and teams — if this sounds like you, this is a fantastic opportunity to apply your skills and make a meaningful impact.
Key responsibilities:
- To be fully accountable for the delivery of a range of complex projects, collaborating across teams and ensuring appropriate governance with stakeholders.
- Develop clear plans, including clear deliverables, milestones, dependencies, owners, risks, issues, and mitigations and then monitor project progress and proactively adjust plans as necessary to ensure project goals are met and projects are executed in accordance with best practices and standards.
- Identify and plan resource needs, governance, and structure to support delivery.
- In partnership with the Programme Manager, provide secretariat support to the various Cancer Grand Challenges governance forums including internal strategic groups.
- Coordinate and draft papers and reports for Cancer Grand Challenges leadership and other governance groups.
- Lead on development, delivery and reporting against the Cancer Grand Challenges annual operational plan, business plan and risk register.
- Own the management of contracts between CRUK and NCI which provide the framework for the CGC initiative.
- Work closely with Cancer Grand Challenges leadership and colleagues across CRUK (e.g. Legal, Finance and Strategic Partnerships) to support all contractual negotiations with future funding partners.
What are you looking for?
- An experienced Project Leader, Programme Manager or Delivery Manager, with a proven track record of leading, collaborating on and delivering complex, multi-stakeholder projects successfully on time and within budget across a complex organisation.
- Experience or familiarity with transformation programmes and projects and associated tools.
- Demonstrable evidence of interpreting & manipulating data clearly and accurately with the ability to quickly extract & articulate key points.
- Experience facilitating project or portfolio boards and steering groups at a senior management level.
- Very strong financial literacy, including relevant experience of managing budgets, financial reporting and analysing data.
- Strong experience of building relationships with stakeholders internally and externally, judging situations and acting diplomatically to influence effectively and build consensus.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with proven evidenced ability to form strong, positive collaborative relationships at all levels of seniority.
- Experience in driving continuous improvement and developing forward looking plans and priorities for the team and adapting priorities as necessary whilst taking a pragmatic approach where appropriate.
- Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Organisation values and benefits:
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.
- Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
- Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
- Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
- Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively
We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.
What will I gain?
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.
You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.
How do I apply?
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.
For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us. For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
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.
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.
Delivery Manager employer: Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
Contact Detail:
Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Delivery Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Cancer Grand Challenges. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those competency-based interviews! Think of examples from your past experiences that showcase your project management skills and stakeholder engagement. We want to hear how you’ve tackled challenges head-on!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for cancer research! When you’re in the interview, let your enthusiasm shine through. Talk about why this role matters to you and how you can contribute to the mission of beating cancer.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our values there.
We think you need these skills to ace Delivery Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Delivery Manager role. Highlight your experience with complex projects and stakeholder management, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to beat cancer!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your work history, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to deliver projects on time and within budget. Use metrics where possible to quantify your success. This helps us understand the impact you've made in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. We appreciate clarity, and it makes it easier for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our careers page! This ensures that your application is processed correctly and gives you the best chance of being considered. We’re excited to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects and programmes you'll be managing. Familiarise yourself with Cancer Grand Challenges' mission and recent initiatives. This will help you demonstrate your passion and knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed stakeholders in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific situations where you influenced decisions or built consensus among diverse groups. This is crucial for a Delivery Manager role.
✨Demonstrate Financial Literacy
Since strong financial skills are essential for this position, brush up on your budget management and financial reporting experience. Be prepared to discuss how you've handled budgets in past projects and any tools you've used to analyse financial data.
✨Emphasise Problem-Solving Abilities
Think of examples where you've faced challenges in project delivery and how you overcame them. Highlight your critical thinking skills and ability to adapt plans as necessary. This will show that you're ready to tackle the complexities of the role.