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- Tasks: Support exciting events like Race for Life and the London Marathon while making a difference.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a passionate team dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Earn £13.80 per hour, enjoy flexible hours, and receive generous perks.
- Why this job: Be part of impactful events and gain valuable experience in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for events, strong interpersonal skills, and adaptability are key.
- Other info: Work weekends, travel across regions, and enjoy paid training with accommodation included.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 16 £ per hour.
Salary: £13.80 per hour + benefits
Reports to: Events Manager
Department: Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement
Contract: 2 x 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: York, Leeds
Closing date: 28th January 2026 23:55
Interview date: Interviews will be held in person week commencing 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 are looking for passionate events assistants to work in Cancer Research UK’s Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement team. You will 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 will discover something new every day, whether it’s a new course, a new community or a talent you never knew you had. You will 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.
- Manage 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 will need to live within the divisional boundaries and you will 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 are 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.
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Event Assistants (York, Leeds) in London employer: Cancer Research UK
Contact Detail:
Cancer Research UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Event Assistants (York, Leeds) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the events we run! Familiarise yourself with our key 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 stand out in the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you've shown adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork. We love hearing about how you’ve tackled challenges!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission to beat cancer. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Event Assistants (York, Leeds) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for events and your commitment to making a difference.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role. Mention specific events or situations where you've demonstrated adaptability, problem-solving, or teamwork.
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we love a good story, keep your application straightforward. Use clear language and bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
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 Pretty Muddy. Understanding the specifics of these events will help you demonstrate your passion and knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
Be ready to discuss examples of how you've adapted to changing situations in previous roles. This is crucial for an events assistant, as you'll need to think on your feet and solve problems as they arise.
✨Highlight Your Interpersonal Skills
Prepare to share experiences where you've built rapport with diverse groups. As an ambassador for Cancer Research UK, your ability to connect with participants and volunteers is key.
✨Demonstrate Resilience
Since this role can be physically demanding, be prepared to talk about how you handle pressure and maintain high-quality results. Share any relevant experiences that showcase your reliability and calmness under stress.
