At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful projects to enhance teamwork and organisational effectiveness at Cancer Research UK.
- Company: Join a leading charity dedicated to beating cancer with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible working, and extensive career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a mission-driven environment while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Expertise in organisational development and strong facilitation skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and a supportive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 62000 ÂŁ per year.
Diverse disciplines. Varied challenges. One unique opportunity.
Salary: ÂŁ58,000 - ÂŁ62,000 per annum plus benefits
Reports to: Head of Organisational Effectiveness
Directorate: Chief Operating Office, HR
Working hours: Permanent, 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London w/ highâflex (1 - 2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: 1 February 2026, 23:55
Recruitment Process: 1st round: Competency and technical based interview. 2nd round: Presentation and soft skillsâbased interview. Interviews: From 10th February 2026.
Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any reasonable adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply.
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 wonât 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.
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.
About the role
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. This role is all about making a real difference to how we work together at Cancer Research UK. Youâll turn big priorities from our People Plan and Directorates into practical changes that help teams thrive and perform at their best. From diagnosing challenges and shaping options to coâdesigning and delivering interventions, youâll make sure improvements stick and have measurable impact. Youâll lead on the most complex, highârisk projects and play a key role in coaching and supporting colleagues to build Organisational Capability across the organisation.
What will I be doing?
- Partner with HRBPs and Centres of Expertise to scope work clearly agreeing outcomes, timelines, and success measures so everyone is aligned.
- Lead complex OD projects from start to finish - defining the problem, exploring options, and agreeing what success looks like with senior stakeholders.
- Ensure quality delivery by setting clear standards, reviewing work, and turning lessons learned into tools others can reuse.
- Coach and guide colleagues and partners during deliveryâhelping them strengthen their design, facilitation, and evaluation skills.
- Diagnose organisational challenges using structured methods like interviews, workshops, and data analysis to uncover root causes across leadership, team dynamics, culture, and ways of working.
- Develop and present clear options and recommendations to stakeholders, outlining tradeâoffs and expected benefits to support informed decisions.
- Coâdesign scalable OD interventions that are inclusive, practical, and focused on areas like leadership, team effectiveness, and change enablement.
- Deliver and facilitate complex OD interventions as part of a flexible consulting poolâadapting in real time while staying focused on agreed outcomes.
- Support adoption and embedding of new practices by creating practical tools and guidance with Organisational Effectiveness and Leadership & Talent teams.
- Evaluate impact using defined measures and feedback loopsâturning insights into actionable next steps and sharing learnings widely.
- Manage a balanced portfolio of work, planning logistics, travel, and resources to ensure safe, inclusive, and effective delivery.
- Build trusted relationships across CRUK to understand organisational context and influence change through credible, evidenceâbased advice.
What are we looking for?
- Advanced OD consulting expertise in complex settings, with a track record of turning ambiguous problems into clear options and value cases that senior leaders support.
- Teamâeffectiveness and facilitation mastery - reading dynamics, designing highâstakes sessions, and sustaining behaviour shifts across CRUK contexts.
- Culture and behaviourâchange craft - translating desired leadership behaviours into simple, repeatable routines that stick.
- Systems and workflow thinking - simplifying processes, anticipating digital implications, and setting acceptance criteria for feasible, adoptable changes.
- Evaluation literacy - using mixed methods to set baselines, define indicators, and link actions to outcomes; confident impact storytelling for senior audiences.
- Scale and quality assurance capability - converting effective approaches into reusable playbooks and coaching others to consistent standards.
- Change adoption and enablement experience - proven ability to establish new ways of working and demonstrate uptake and outcomes.
- Stakeholder influence and communication skills - credibility with senior leaders and concise, decisionâoriented storytelling.
- Inclusive practice and accessibility - consistent application of equity and ethical principles in design, facilitation, and data handling.
- Confidence working in a matrix environment - scoping and delivering through others, managing pace and quality without direct authority.
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
Weâre 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 youâre interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience weâd 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 highâquality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your workâlife 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 on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us.
Organisational Development Senior Specialist in London employer: Cancer Research UK
Contact Detail:
Cancer Research UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Organisational Development Senior Specialist in London
â¨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Cancer Research UK, their mission, and values. This will help you tailor your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
â¨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for both competency and technical interviews by rehearsing common questions and scenarios. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your achievements.
â¨Tip Number 3
Donât underestimate the power of networking! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insights into the company culture and even give you tips on how to ace your interview.
â¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows youâre serious about joining our team. Remember, weâre all about inclusivity, so donât hesitate to reach out if you need any adjustments during the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Organisational Development Senior Specialist in London
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Organisational Development Senior Specialist role. Highlight your advanced OD consulting expertise and any relevant projects you've led.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the work history section, keep your descriptions straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your achievements and how they relate to the job.
Showcase Your Impact: Donât just list your responsibilities; focus on the impact youâve made in previous roles. Use metrics or specific examples to demonstrate how your work has led to positive changes or outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website. This ensures that we receive all the necessary information and can process your application efficiently. Plus, itâs the best way to stay updated on your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
â¨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of an Organisational Development Senior Specialist. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and how they align with Cancer Research UK's mission. Be ready to discuss your past experiences that demonstrate your advanced OD consulting expertise.
â¨Prepare for Competency Questions
Since the first round involves competency-based questions, think of specific examples from your previous roles where you've successfully led complex projects or influenced change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
â¨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
As this role requires coaching and guiding colleagues, be prepared to share examples of how you've supported others in developing their skills. Highlight any tools or methods you've used to facilitate learning and improvement in team dynamics.
â¨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to build trusted relationships by discussing how you've collaborated with senior leaders in the past. Prepare to talk about how youâve communicated complex ideas effectively and influenced decision-making through credible, evidence-based advice.