At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful communications to engage audiences and support fundraising efforts.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leading charity dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Generous salary, benefits package, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on wellbeing and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the fight against cancer through strategic communications.
- Qualifications: Extensive senior-level communications experience and proven success in PR campaigns.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 65000 £ per year.
£63,000 - £65,000 per annum plus benefits
Contract: 12-month Fixed Term Contract
Closing date: 13th September 2026
Recruitment Process: Two-stage competency-based interview process
Interviews: First stage remote, second stage in person
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We’re looking for an exceptional communications leader to join our Strategic Communications & Campaigns team, and lead our Corporate & Consumer communications function. Leading a team of six communications professionals, you’ll help shape how CRUK engages audiences, builds brand relevance, supports fundraising and protects its reputation through impactful, insight-led communications.
What will I be doing?
- Lead CRUK’s Corporate & Consumer communications function, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, brand strategy and narrative.
- Oversee integrated, multi-channel communications campaigns that support fundraising, partnerships, trading, events and brand-building objectives.
- Drive a unified approach to campaign planning across national and regional PR activity.
- Lead corporate communications including CEO communications, employer brand, EDI communications and Annual Report & Accounts activity.
- Provide strategic leadership on crisis communications, issues management and reputational risk.
- Manage and develop a team of six, creating a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture.
What are we looking for?
- Extensive senior-level communications experience.
- Proven success delivering integrated PR campaigns and multi-channel communications strategies.
- Experience using audience insight, data and evaluation to inform decision making.
- Expertise in crisis communications, issues management and reputation protection.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Experience managing teams, budgets and external agencies.
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do:
- 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 create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, career development opportunities and high-quality tools.
Lead – Strategic Communications (Corporate & Consumer) in London employer: Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
Cancer Research UK is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values community impact and personal growth. As a Part-Time Retail Assistant Manager at our Droitwich Shop, you will enjoy flexible working hours, competitive pay, and the opportunity to lead a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in the fight against cancer. With ongoing training and development opportunities, you'll be empowered to enhance your skills while contributing to a meaningful cause.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead – Strategic Communications (Corporate & Consumer) in London
✨Join PR Communities
Get involved in local PR groups or online communities where professionals gather to share opportunities and insights. Engage in conversations on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn—spotting temporary roles often happens in these spaces.
✨Attend PR Events
Look for industry events, workshops, or conferences that focus on public relations. Not only will you learn from the pros, but you might also meet someone who's looking for temporary help, which is perfect for a gig like this!
✨Showcase Your Skills
Create a portfolio that highlights any past PR work, campaigns, or even university projects. Share it on your social media or PR forums—you want to make sure your great work is visible when the right temporary role comes up.
✨Apply Directly on Our Website
When you spot a temporary PR role with companies like Cancer Research UK (CRUK), don't hesitate to apply directly through our website. You'll be on the front line, making it easier for you to get noticed!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead – Strategic Communications (Corporate & Consumer) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:When you're applying for a temporary role in public relations, your cover letter is your chance to show off your passion for the field. Highlight any relevant PR experience you have, even if it's just through internships or volunteer work. Tell us why you're excited about the opportunity at Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and how you can help make an impact, even in a short time!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Public relations is all about communicating effectively, so make sure your CV reflects this! Use clear, concise language and showcase any writing samples you might have, such as press releases, blog posts, or social media campaigns. Including a link to a portfolio could really set you apart from other candidates.
Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability:Since this is a temporary role, we want to see how quickly you can jump in and start contributing. Mention past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or quickly adapted to changing situations. It’s these qualities that will show us you can thrive at Cancer Research UK (CRUK) even on a short-term basis!
Research Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the Industry:Before submitting your application, take some time to learn about Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and its approach to PR. Mention anything specific you like about their campaigns or strategies in your cover letter. This extra effort shows us you're genuinely interested and ready to bring your unique perspective to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
✨Brush Up on Your Crisis Management Skills
In public relations, handling crises is key. Be ready to discuss past situations where you managed communication challenges effectively. Bring examples that showcase your quick thinking and strategic response – they want to see you in action!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio of Campaigns
Since this is a temporary role, showcasing your portfolio is crucial. Make sure you have a collection of your best press releases, campaign plans, or media coverage. You want to prove you can hit the ground running and bring valuable experience to Cancer Research UK (CRUK) right away!
✨Know Your Media Landscape
A strong PR candidate should be familiar with the media landscape. Brush up on key journalists, publications, and current trends in communications. Think about how you’d tailor messages to different media outlets – you might get asked about this during the interview!
✨Be Ready to Discuss Networking Strategies
Networking is a big part of PR work, especially in a temporary role. Be prepared to chat about your previous networking experiences or how you plan to build key relationships quickly at Cancer Research UK (CRUK). They’ll want to know you can create buzz and leverage your connections immediately!
