Digital Communities Manager (CGC) in Stratford-upon-Avon

£40,000 - £45,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Senior Communications Manager

Directorate: Research & Innovation

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (2 days per week in the office)

Closing date: Sunday 15 February 2026 23:55

Recruitment process: Screening call followed by competency-based interview with a task.

Interview dates: Screening calls w/c 23 February; Second stage interviews w/c 9 March

Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

About Cancer Research UK and Cancer Grand Challenges (CGC): At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. Cancer Grand Challenges (CGC) is a pioneering global cancer research initiative co‑founded by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the US National Cancer Institute (NCI). Building on the success of the CRUK Grand Challenge, CGC brings together world‑leading researchers to tackle some of the most complex problems in cancer — challenges that can only be solved through bold thinking, collaboration, and innovation on a global scale.

As we establish a new CGC team to drive this transformative programme forward, we are seeking an experienced and creative Digital Communities Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the digital presence of a high‑profile international initiative and play a key role in growing its reputation worldwide.

In this role, you will develop and deliver impactful digital communication strategies and channels that inform, inspire, and engage a wide range of audiences — including researchers, donors, funders and industry partners. You’ll craft compelling content, champion digital best practice, and ensure the CGC mission and vision are communicated with clarity, energy, and purpose. Your work will help bring to life the ground breaking research we fund and demonstrate how CGC is driving radical progress against cancer.

What will you be doing?

• Liaise with key internal and external stakeholders (including agencies) to ensure successful digital delivery and that the digital presence is an appropriate showcase of the CGC brand to all audiences.
• Work with colleagues to create a detailed plan for digital communications as an integral part of the overarching CGC marketing and communications strategy.
• Develop and cultivate an ongoing understanding of the changing information needs of our audiences to ensure digital communications are tailored appropriately.
• Deliver digital communications to an exemplary standard through attention to detail, high standard of service and an audience-centric approach.
• Work with colleagues to create, commission and manage development of creative, dynamic, digital assets (audio, video, flash, animations, images and illustrations) which can be shared across the web and on third‑party websites and services.
• Enable requirements gathering and user testing of digital tools and platforms, with a view to expanding our channel mix for our audiences, testing and piloting new digital ideas as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain a social media presence appropriate for our audiences based on audience requirements analysis (focusing on LinkedIn, X and Bluesky).
• Analyse performance metrics (web analytics) to help optimise content and channels and provide regular performance reports.
• Keep internal and external stakeholders up to date with key developments, supported by relevant presentations and workshops.
• Research digital trends, new technologies and new opportunities. Understand the competitive landscape and ensure CGC is perceived as a current, dynamic and cutting-edge initiative.
• Maintain and continuously update the CGC website in collaboration with our external agency, ensuring it remains high‑performing, user‑friendly, and engaging for key audiences, while also optimising all content and structure for strong SEO performance.

What are we looking for?

• Relevant experience of managing digital communications and running successful digital and/or social media channels and campaigns, ideally in a Healthcare / Pharmaceutical environment.
• Excellent understanding of the digital and social media landscape, and relevant experience of the principles and practice of successful digital and social media communications, including using and reporting on web and social media analytics (direct experience with Google Analytics) to conduct audience research.
• Relevant experience of creating, commissioning and copywriting engaging digital content, including rich media content assets (audio and visual), social, news and user-generated content with excellent proofreading, spelling, grammar and accuracy.
• Relevant experience of using a web content management system and Email Service Providers and templates to create campaigns – including behaviourally triggered emails.
• Numerate and analytically minded, with the ability to manage information effectively and apply a test‑and‑learn approach to new techniques and methods.
• Enjoys solving day‑to‑day challenges by developing robust, pragmatic solutions and delivering them with strong attention to detail.
• Relevant experience of building a specialist network and/or online community.
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications and Office 365.
• Experience of managing projects, with ability to develop and deliver complex plans and deliver multiple tasks to competing deadlines and prioritise effectively.

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 and take positive steps in your career.

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 at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.

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. 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 & safeguarding risks.