At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management and improve operational processes in a tech portfolio.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, dedicated to beating cancer with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Generous benefits package, career development opportunities, and flexible work arrangements.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace valuing diversity and personal wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fight against cancer while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial management and supplier relationships in tech environments.
The predicted salary is between 62000 - 62000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Senior Portfolio Operations Manager to drive clarity, control and operational excellence across a complex technology portfolio, playing a critical role in ensuring our investment delivers maximum impact towards our mission to beat cancer.
Reports to: Head of Product Portfolio
Directorate: Chief Operating Office, Technology
Contract: Fixed term (12 months)
Hours: 35 hours
Location: Stratford, London / Office-based with high flexibility (1–2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: 16 November 2026
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.
Recruitment Process: 2-stage interview process (competency and technical) with a technical task.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We’re looking for a Senior Portfolio Operations Manager to play a critical role in enabling the successful delivery of our Fundraising Technology priorities. This is a hands-on, high-impact role where you’ll act with ambition, courage and determination to bring clarity, rigour and operational excellence across financial, commercial and supplier management. Working collaboratively across Technology, programme leadership and corporate teams, you’ll remove barriers, improve processes and ensure investment is well managed helping accelerate progress towards our mission to beat cancer.
What will I be doing?
- Lead financial management across a complex technology portfolio, including forecasting, budgeting and cost control
- Own supplier relationships and manage contracts end-to-end, ensuring value for money
- Partner with Finance, Procurement and Legal to deliver robust commercial governance
- Drive portfolio insight through financial analysis, risk management and scenario modelling
- Improve operational processes to reduce friction and increase clarity for delivery teams
- Support smaller cross-team initiatives and contribute to business cases and investment decisions
What are we looking for?
- Proven experience managing financials, suppliers and contracts within large-scale technology environments
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting and cost control
- Experience working effectively with Finance, Procurement and Legal teams
- Ability to embed and manage supplier relationship management approaches
- Strong organisational and orchestration skills across complex environments
- Clear communicator, able to present financial and commercial insights to a range of stakeholders
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do. 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. Please note that applications can’t be edited once submitted.
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: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
There’s a place for everyone at Cancer Research UK. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented, and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to beat cancer sooner.
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. We don’t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed. 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 by emailing us at . 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.
Senior Portfolio Manager in London employer: CANCER RESEARCH UK
Cancer Research UK is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values community impact and personal growth. As a Part-Time Store Lead in East Dereham, you will not only contribute to vital fundraising efforts but also enjoy opportunities for professional development within a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in the fight against cancer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Portfolio Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Senior Portfolio Manager at CANCER RESEARCH UK!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like CANCER RESEARCH UK or be willing to refer you for that Senior Portfolio Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from CANCER RESEARCH UK who’s on the lookout for their next Senior Portfolio Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Senior Portfolio Manager role at CANCER RESEARCH UK!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Portfolio Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at CANCER RESEARCH UK. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at CANCER RESEARCH UK
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at CANCER RESEARCH UK. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
