At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and growth of CRUK's legacy fundraising proposition.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leader in the fight against cancer.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible working, and extensive career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with a commitment to diversity and personal wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in charity fundraising while shaping the future of CRUK.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading complex propositions and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 92000 € per year.
Salary: £85,000 - £92,000 plus benefits
Reports to: Director of Fundraising & Engagement
Propositions Directorate: Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement
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)
Closing date: 24 May 2026 23:55
Interview Process: Screening calls, followed by 2 stage interview process including a task related to the role.
Visa sponsorship: Cancer Research UK can consider visa sponsorship for this vacancy. If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application.
Cancer Research UK exists to beat cancer — and our fundraising propositions are critical to making that possible. We are seeking a Head of Proposition – Legacies to lead the end‑to‑end design, delivery and growth of one of CRUK’s most important fundraising propositions. This senior leadership role combines commercial accountability, innovation and people leadership to deliver sustainable long‑term value. This is an opportunity to lead one of the UK charity sector’s most significant income streams. You will drive a clear proposition vision rooted in audience insight, design compelling end‑to‑end supporter experiences, and deliver growth over both the short and long term. You will bring the credibility to lead legacy strategy with senior leaders and trustees, influencing at the highest levels while partnering across marketing, data, technology and delivery teams. Commercially astute and evidence‑led, you will strengthen performance management, forecasting and prioritisation, balancing strategic ambition with operational grip. This is not solely a functional legacy role. It is a proposition leadership role, with Legacies as its core focus whilst playing a key part in shaping the future of Fundraising & Engagement Propositions at Cancer Research UK.
What will I be doing?
- Reshape the strategic direction and deliver sustainable growth of the Legacy proposition, defining a clear, compelling vision rooted in audience need, insight and CRUK strategy.
- Own performance and long-term value, shaping and delivering a bold, evidence led growth strategy that increases consideration, market and the value of complex gifts across diverse audiences.
- Work with matrixed teams to design and evolve brilliant end-to-end experiences, working across channels, journeys and touchpoints to create emotionally resonant, modern supporter experiences at scale.
- Lead innovation and modernisation, using insight, test and learn approaches and strong commercial judgement to respond to a rapidly changing wealth and fundraising landscape.
- Shape how technology enables the proposition, partnering closely across digital, data and delivery to ensure seamless, future ready journeys.
- Build and lead high performing, multidisciplinary teams, bringing together proposition, operations and specialist expertise to deliver excellence through inclusive, empowering leadership.
- Act as a visible sector leader and trusted internal partner, influencing senior stakeholders and playing an active role in the wider transformation of fundraising at Cancer Research UK.
What are we looking for?
- Experience leading a complex proposition, product or portfolio in a customer centric environment, balancing delivery today with long-term value.
- Strong commercial judgement, with the confidence to make evidence led trade-offs and prioritisation decisions.
- A deep understanding of audience behaviour, and how insight, digital capability and service design come together to create compelling end-to-end experiences.
- A compelling communicator and influencer, able to articulate vision clearly and bring diverse stakeholders with you.
- Proven leadership of large, multidisciplinary teams in complex matrixed organisations; an inclusive, inspiring leader who delivers through strong relationships.
- A strategic, future focused mindset, comfortable leading through ambiguity and change.
- Curiosity, ambition and a genuine desire to push the sector forward, not replicate what’s gone before.
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.
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 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 Linked In, 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.
Head of Proposition - Legacies employer: Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Stratford, London, where flexibility and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, generous benefits, and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, we empower our team to make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer. Join us to lead innovative fundraising strategies while being part of a mission-driven organisation that values inclusivity and ambition.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Proposition - Legacies
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their mission, and think about how your skills align with their goals. Practise common interview questions and be ready to showcase your experience in leading teams and driving growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for the role! When you get the chance to speak with hiring managers, let your enthusiasm for the position shine through. Share your ideas on how you can contribute to their legacy proposition and make a real impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the role and keep you top of mind for the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Proposition - Legacies
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're filling out your application, let your true self shine through! We want to see your personality and passion for the role. Don’t just list your skills; tell us how they connect to our mission at Cancer Research UK.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Head of Proposition – Legacies role. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we’re looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t be shy about sharing your successes! Use specific examples to demonstrate your leadership and strategic thinking. We love seeing how you've made an impact in previous roles, especially in complex environments.
Follow the Process:Remember, we operate an anonymised shortlisting process, so make sure to complete the work history section of the online application form thoroughly. This helps us assess you fairly and gives you the best chance to shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know Your Proposition Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Cancer Research UK's legacy proposition. Understand its current strategies, successes, and areas for growth. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to discuss how your vision aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams. Be ready to discuss how you foster inclusivity and empower your team members. This is crucial for a role that requires strong people leadership.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Brush up on your commercial judgement skills. Be prepared to discuss evidence-led decision-making and how you've balanced short-term delivery with long-term value in previous roles. This will resonate well with the expectations of the position.
✨Engage with Insight and Innovation
Think about how you can leverage audience insights and digital capabilities to enhance supporter experiences. Prepare to share innovative ideas or past experiences where you've successfully implemented test-and-learn approaches in fundraising.
