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- Tasks: Create exceptional experiences for high-value supporters and drive impactful donor engagement.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leading charity dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible working, career development, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and collaboration in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the fight against cancer while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Strong relationship-building skills and experience in fundraising or client management.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
Creating exceptional experiences for our most valued supporters.
Reports to: Donor Relations Senior Manager
Grade: P2
Directorate: Strategy & Philanthropy
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the 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.
Closing date: 20 April 2026, 23:55.
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 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 as soon as possible.
Recruitment process: 2 stage consisting of presentation task and role based competency interview
Interview date: From 28 April 2026
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We’re united by one purpose: to beat cancer, sooner. If you’re passionate about creating exceptional supporter experiences and building relationships that drive meaningful impact, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of our high-value fundraising.
We’re looking for a Donor Relations Manager to play a key role in our bold £400m More Research, Less Cancer campaign. You’ll develop and deliver tailored engagement for our most influential donors and senior volunteer leaders - designing moments that inspire, thank, recognise and demonstrate the power of their support.
In this role, no two days are the same. You’ll combine strategic thinking, creative vision and meticulous delivery to ensure every supporter feels truly valued. Working at the heart of our Philanthropy directorate, you’ll collaborate with senior fundraisers, global partners and organisational leaders to bring world-class donor engagement to life.
What you’ll be doing:
- Driving supporter experience strategy: Shape and lead the supporter experience strategy for our international major supporters, senior volunteer leadership, Global Campaign Leadership (GCL) audiences and Francis Crick Institute.
- Coordinate high-quality, personalised communications from the CEO, Chair and senior leaders.
- Use your planning expertise and creative thinking to design seamless journeys from first engagement to long-term stewardship.
- Build strong internal partnerships to ensure insights, timelines and delivery are aligned to our campaign ambitions.
- Use your experience to improve processes and ways of working, ensuring effective delivery across international markets, time zones and complex stakeholder groups.
Creating outstanding stewardship:
- Lead the delivery of tailored stewardship moments - from thanking and recognition to milestone celebrations and impact reporting.
- Produce high-quality, audience-specific engagement materials that are on brand, on budget and on time.
- Drive creative development of new engagement products for international and senior supporters.
- Use your understanding of film, digital and photography to help bring donor experiences to life.
Collaborating and supporting the team:
- Work closely with colleagues across Donor Relations, overseeing delivery of projects and supporting delegation and cross-team collaboration.
- Support senior-level governance and leadership forums through the coordination of briefing materials, papers and supporter insight.
- Contribute to wider Philanthropy planning, development and team culture.
What are we looking for?
- Exceptional relationship-building skills with stakeholders at all levels, including senior leaders and international partners.
- Adaptability and confidence when navigating change or ambiguity.
- Diplomatic, thoughtful stewardship of high-value donors and influential volunteers.
- Creative, proactive problem-solver with sound judgement.
- High attention to detail and strong organisational discipline.
- Strong understanding of high-value fundraising, partnerships and supporter engagement.
- Experience in account or client team management, with the ability to brief and collaborate effectively.
- Skilled project manager comfortable balancing multiple priorities.
- Confident user of data, Microsoft Office and fundraising databases.
- Experience managing budgets, sourcing suppliers and delivering activity efficiently.
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.
For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us.
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Donor Relations Manager (International and Leadership) employer: Cancer Research UK
Contact Detail:
Cancer Research UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Donor Relations Manager (International and Leadership)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Cancer Research UK. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research the organisation thoroughly and understand their mission. Think about how your skills align with their goals, especially around donor relations and supporter engagement. Practise common interview questions and prepare some thoughtful questions of your own.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your creativity! Since this role involves designing exceptional experiences, think of ways to demonstrate your creative problem-solving skills during the interview. Bring examples of past projects or ideas that could enhance donor engagement at Cancer Research UK.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Make sure to complete all sections of the online form thoroughly, as this helps us assess your fit for the role quickly and fairly. Don’t forget to highlight your relationship-building skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Donor Relations Manager (International and Leadership)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for donor relations and how you can contribute to our mission.
Tailor Your Responses: Make sure to tailor your answers to the specific role of Donor Relations Manager. Highlight your experience in building relationships and creating exceptional supporter experiences that align with our values.
Showcase Your Skills: Use the application questions to showcase your skills in project management, communication, and creative problem-solving. We’re looking for someone who can juggle multiple priorities while keeping a keen eye on detail!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know Your Donor Engagement Strategies
Before the interview, brush up on various donor engagement strategies. Be ready to discuss how you would tailor experiences for high-value supporters and senior leaders. Think about specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to create meaningful connections.
✨Showcase Your Creative Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share instances where you've creatively solved problems in donor relations or fundraising. Highlight your adaptability and how you navigated challenges while maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders. This will show your potential employer that you can think on your feet.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Since this role involves managing multiple priorities, come equipped with examples of how you've successfully juggled various projects. Discuss your planning expertise and how you ensure timely delivery of high-quality materials, especially in a fast-paced environment.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Cancer Research UK's values: Bold, Credible, Human, and Together. During the interview, weave these values into your responses. Show how your personal values align with theirs and how you embody these principles in your work.