At a Glance
- Tasks: Create impactful stories that shape campaigns and inspire supporters.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leading charity dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible working, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by sharing powerful stories of those affected by cancer.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications, strong storytelling skills, and empathy.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 42000 € per year.
Harnessing creativity, setting strong challenges. Storytelling with impact.
Reports to: Senior Manager, Cancer Stories Team
Grade: P2
Directorate: Policy, Information and Communications
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London. High Flex (1-2 days per week in office)
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.
External closing date: 28 May 2026, 23:55
Internal closing date: 31 May 2026, 23:55
How do I apply? We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the application questions and work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively. If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk as soon as possible.
Recruitment process: 2 stage interview process consisting of role-based interview and presentation task at stage 2. Interview date: From 9 June 2026.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.
Stories are at the heart of our work. As a Cancer Stories Senior Officer, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring the real experiences of people affected by cancer shape our campaigns, inspire our supporters and strengthen our brand. You’ll build relationships with people affected by cancer and develop powerful, impactful stories across national campaigns, media, social channels and fundraising activity, showing the human impact of cancer and why our work matters.
What you’ll be doing:
- Identify and develop compelling, high-quality case studies for marketing and communications activity, including national campaigns, PR, social media and key fundraising events.
- Support and deliver strategic projects aligned to our marketing and communications priorities.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams to understand organisational needs and deliver stories with the greatest impact.
- Develop and manage a diverse pipeline of stories, sourcing contributors, conducting interviews, and maintaining accurate, compliant records.
- Recruit, support and steward people affected by cancer to become story volunteers, ensuring they feel valued, informed and empowered.
- Manage relationships with people affected by cancer, ensuring that story volunteers are supported, and their wellbeing prioritised, preparing and briefing volunteers thoroughly ahead of any events and accompanying them to media opportunities, events and filming as needed.
- Champion equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring our stories reflect the communities we serve.
- Follow best practice in safeguarding, data privacy and health and safety.
- Contribute to team processes and continuous improvement, bringing fresh ideas and insight.
What we’re looking for:
You’ll be a skilled communicator with a passion for storytelling and a strong sense of empathy. In addition, you’ll bring:
- Communications expertise – Experience in journalism, PR or communications, with the ability to identify and develop powerful case studies that bring campaigns to life.
- Relationship-building skills – Confidence in working with and supporting volunteers, building trust and long-term engagement.
- Project management – Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to tight deadlines.
- Exceptional communication skills – Strong written and verbal skills, with the ability to handle sensitive topics with professionalism and care.
- Experience with sensitive issues – Confidence working with complex or emotive subject matter, particularly relating to health.
- Strong IT skills – Experience managing information and databases accurately and efficiently.
- Data awareness – Understanding of CRM systems and data protection principles (desirable).
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.
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.
Internal Eligibility criteria:
Internal candidates should ideally have completed their 6-month ‘getting started’ period before applying for other roles. You should also advise your current line manager at the point you make an internal application, or at the latest, at the point of being invited for an interview. All internal candidates applying for a secondment, must have: completed their getting started period, discussed their intention to apply and gained approval to apply with their line manager, been in their substantive (home) role for at least 6 months (this is only applicable if you have previously been on secondment). If you do not confirm that you meet these requirements, we will not be able to progress your application.
Additional information:
For more information about working with us 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 & safety and safeguarding risks.
Cancer Stories Senior Officer x 2 employer: Cancer Research UK
At Cancer Research UK, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where your creativity and passion for storytelling can thrive. Located in Stratford, London, our high-flex policy allows for a balanced work-life dynamic, while our commitment to employee development ensures you have access to a wealth of career growth opportunities. Join us in making a meaningful impact as we work together to beat cancer, surrounded by a team that values boldness, credibility, humanity, and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cancer Stories Senior Officer x 2
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Cancer Research UK and their mission. Understanding their values and goals will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your storytelling skills! Since this role is all about impactful storytelling, think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully communicated a message or engaged an audience. Be ready to share these during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. Building relationships can give you insider insights and might even lead to a referral, which can be a game-changer in landing the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to showcase your empathy! This role requires a strong sense of understanding, especially when dealing with sensitive topics. Be prepared to discuss how you've handled similar situations in the past and how you prioritise the wellbeing of others.
We think you need these skills to ace Cancer Stories Senior Officer x 2
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When filling out your application, let your true self shine through. We want to hear your unique voice and perspective, especially when it comes to storytelling. Don’t be afraid to share your passion for the cause!
Tailor Your Responses:Make sure to align your answers with the job description. Highlight your communications expertise and relationship-building skills, as these are key for the Cancer Stories Senior Officer role. Show us how your experience fits our needs!
Showcase Your Creativity:Since storytelling is at the heart of what we do, don’t hesitate to include examples of your creative work. Whether it’s a compelling case study or a project you’ve managed, we want to see how you can bring stories to life.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our website. This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know Your Stories
Before the interview, dive deep into the stories that resonate with Cancer Research UK's mission. Familiarise yourself with impactful case studies and be ready to discuss how you would develop similar narratives. This shows your passion for storytelling and your understanding of the role.
✨Build Relationships
Since relationship-building is key for this position, think of examples from your past where you've successfully engaged with volunteers or stakeholders. Be prepared to share how you foster trust and long-term engagement, as this will demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and empathetically, especially when discussing sensitive topics. You might even want to prepare a brief story or example that highlights your communication expertise, as this will be crucial in your role as a Cancer Stories Senior Officer.
✨Prepare for the Presentation Task
Since there's a presentation task in the second stage, think about how you can creatively present a case study or story. Use visuals or storytelling techniques to engage your audience. Practising this beforehand will help you feel more confident and make a lasting impression.
