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- Tasks: Support exciting events like Race for Life and the London Marathon while managing teams and logistics.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leading charity dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Earn £13.80 per hour plus flexible leave, discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the fight against cancer while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Passion for events, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to adapt under pressure.
- Other info: Work weekends, enjoy a vibrant team atmosphere, and travel across the South East.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 16 £ per hour.
Hundreds of inspiring events. Thousands of participants. One clear purpose.
Salary: £13.80 per hour + benefits
Reports to: Events Manager
Department: Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement
Contract: 10 Casual contracts. 1 May to October 2026
Hours: Shift times will vary depending on the size and type of event you are covering. Events take place between May and October and our events assistants work 6-8 events across that period with shifts between 7-12 hours.
Location: London and South East
Closing date: 28th January 2026 23:55
Interview date: Interviews will be held in person starting 23rd February 2026 (invites will be sent out 16th February)
Training date: Compulsory paid training taking place on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th April 2025, in Yarnfield, Staffordshire with travel, accommodation and food included.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We’re looking for passionate events assistants to work in Cancer Research UK’s Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement team. You’ll be acting as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK, supporting the delivery of our events season including well-known events such as Race for Life, Pretty Muddy, Big Hike and Shine Night Walk. There will also be opportunities to work at third-party sports events such as the London Marathon, Manchester Marathon, Royal Parks Half Marathon, and many others.
In a lively, vibrant working environment, you’ll discover something new every day, whether it’s a new course, a new community or a talent you never knew you had. You’ll also be surrounded by people who are as dedicated to beating cancer as you are.
What will I be doing?
- Supporting the event manager in the delivery of large-scale and logistically complex events.
- Managing a large and diverse team of volunteers.
- Taking responsibility in a key role at events as Course, Obstacle or Merchandise Manager or covering Start/Finish and Site management.
- Managing operational responsibilities including setting up and dismantling equipment ensuring health and safety guidelines are prioritised.
- Providing support and encouragement to Cancer Research UK participants at cheer points or post-event support at regional third-party sports events.
What skills are you looking for?
- A passion for events.
- Adaptability to changing situations with the ability to work on your own initiative.
- The ability to solve problems and respond to opportunities and challenges.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with a range of people.
- Confidence to represent Cancer Research UK publicly.
- Good organisation and prioritisation skills.
- Resilience and reliability to remain calm under pressure and consistently deliver high-quality results.
It’s a physical role. You will spend all of Event Day on your feet, which can be between 7 and 12 hours, inclusive of breaks. At all events you will be required to unload a van of equipment, put up marquees and move boxes of event equipment around the event site.
What else do I need to know?
- This role mostly takes place on weekends making it easy to fit around some jobs and/or studies.
- We work in all weather conditions, and our shifts cover some night-time events.
- We work across 5 geographical ‘divisions’ in the North and South.
- When submitting an application you will need to apply to the division where you live (if you are away studying, have a think about where you will be based during May-October).
- You’ll need to live within the divisional boundaries and you’ll need to travel across that division to cover the events in your area.
- Most events will include an overnight stay away from home. All travel and accommodation will be booked and paid for you.
- While driving and having access to a car is not a necessity for the role, it does help and in some circumstances, you may be asked to use your car to help set up the route for some events.
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?
Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that’s impressive. In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well. Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more. We don’t forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture. Our work – from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy – will change the world. It’s exciting to be part of our team.
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 quickly, 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, Twitter 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.
Event Assistants (London and South East) employer: Cancer Research UK
Contact Detail:
Cancer Research UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Event Assistants (London and South East)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the events we run! Familiarise yourself with our major events like Race for Life and Pretty Muddy. This way, when you chat with us during interviews, you can show your passion and understanding of what we do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or past event assistants on social media. They can give you insider tips and maybe even help you get your foot in the door. Plus, it shows us you're proactive!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your skills! Think about examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork. We love hearing about how you’ve tackled challenges head-on.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate, and you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our values.
We think you need these skills to ace Event Assistants (London and South East)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you and how your passion for events can contribute to our mission at Cancer Research UK.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. Show us how your adaptability and problem-solving abilities make you a perfect fit for the role of Event Assistant.
Follow the Instructions: Pay close attention to the application guidelines. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process, so ensure you complete the work history section accurately to help us assess your application fairly.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and gives you access to more information about the role and our fantastic team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know Your Events
Familiarise yourself with the events Cancer Research UK hosts, like Race for Life and the London Marathon. Understanding the purpose and logistics of these events will show your passion and commitment during the interview.
✨Show Your Adaptability
Be ready to discuss how you've handled changing situations in the past. This role requires flexibility, so share specific examples where you’ve successfully adapted to unexpected challenges or changes.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since you'll be managing a diverse team of volunteers, highlight your interpersonal skills. Talk about experiences where you built rapport and worked collaboratively with others to achieve a common goal.
✨Prepare for Physical Demands
This role is physically demanding, so be honest about your ability to handle long hours on your feet. Mention any relevant experiences that showcase your resilience and reliability under pressure.
