At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and growth of CRUK's legacy fundraising proposition.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leader in the charity sector.
- Benefits: Generous benefits package, career development opportunities, and a focus on wellbeing.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values ambition, collaboration, and positive impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in fundraising while shaping the future of charitable giving.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading complex propositions and strong commercial judgement required.
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 share 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 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.
Head of Proposition - Legacies (Open) employer: Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. As the Head of Proposition – Legacies, you will lead innovative fundraising strategies while collaborating with diverse teams, all within a culture that values boldness, credibility, humanity, and inclusivity. With a generous benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance, this role provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Proposition - Legacies (Open)
✨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 interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission and values, especially if you're eyeing a role at CRUK. Tailor your responses to show how you align with their goals and can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. Focus on articulating your vision and how your experience can drive growth and innovation in the role you're applying for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and how you can help shape the future of fundraising at CRUK.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Proposition - Legacies (Open)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly:Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. It’s packed with info about what we’re looking for, so make sure you understand the key responsibilities and skills needed for the Head of Proposition – Legacies role.
Tailor Your CV and Application:Don’t just send in a generic CV! Tailor it to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match our needs. Show us how your background aligns with the role and how you can contribute to our mission at Cancer Research UK.
Be Authentic and Personal:We want to get to know the real you! Use your application to share your passion for fundraising and how you embody our values. A personal touch can really make your application stand out from the crowd.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply through our careers web page. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered fairly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know Your Proposition Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the legacy proposition and understand its current landscape. Familiarise yourself with Cancer Research UK's mission and how the legacy strategy fits into their overall goals. This will help you articulate a clear vision and demonstrate your commitment to driving growth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach and how you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you've inspired others and fostered collaboration. Highlight your ability to influence senior stakeholders and how you can bring diverse teams together to achieve common goals.
✨Be Evidence-Led in Your Approach
Since the role requires strong commercial judgement, come prepared with data or case studies that showcase your evidence-led decision-making. Discuss how you've used audience insights to shape strategies and drive performance in previous roles, demonstrating your analytical skills and strategic mindset.
✨Emphasise Your Innovative Thinking
Cancer Research UK is looking for someone who can lead innovation and modernisation. Be ready to share examples of how you've embraced change and adapted to new challenges in the fundraising landscape. Discuss any test-and-learn approaches you've implemented and how they led to successful outcomes.
