At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful health policy projects to improve cancer care and reduce inequalities.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leading charity dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Generous benefits package, career development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible office-based role with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in health systems while working with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Strong project management skills and excellent communication abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 42500 £ per year.
£39,000 - £42,500 plus benefits
Reports to: Senior Manager (Health Systems Products and Programmes)
Directorate: Policy, Information and Communication
Contract: 12 month Fixed Term Contract or Secondment Opportunity
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London
Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: 15 May 2026 23:55
Internally this role remains open until 17 May 23:55 in line with organisational policy.
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: Competency based interview
Interview date: 2/3 June 2026
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We are looking for an experienced Project Manager to join our Policy, Information and Communications (PIC) directorate. This role will deliver on a range of externally and internally focused projects to support the delivery of the Cancer Research UK Health Systems Engagement strategy and related work. The goal will be to improve the uptake of innovations, reduction in inequalities and other emerging Cancer Research UK objectives within health systems.
What will I be doing?
- Manage directorate-wide projects to develop new external facing products or improve internal processes that support the delivery of PIC objectives relating to health policy and systems.
- Lead and support project teams of CRUK staff and external stakeholders and partners to develop and deliver projects.
- Build effective relationships with expert teams across the Policy, Information and Communications directorate as well as senior management within the Health Policy and Evidence department and other stakeholders.
- Ensure appropriate project management approaches are employed for effective and timely delivery, monitoring and evaluation.
- Lead arrangements to ensure all new resources are tested and translated appropriately for spread across the four nations.
- Produce effective internal communications to disseminate and promote new products and ways of working.
- Develop and manage training for relevant staff to support the launch of these tools.
- Support ongoing work to define and track programme impact.
- Contribute to the management of the health policy and system’s programme governance and oversight structure, including acting as lead for designated workstreams.
- Build and maintain knowledge of health system topics.
What are we looking for?
- Strong project management skills/experience.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, highly numerate.
- Highly collaborative and enabling of others; proven ability to build effective relationships with and influence a broad range of stakeholders at all levels.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Good attention to detail, whilst retaining a strategic focus and ‘keeping things simple’.
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.
Owing to the nature of this position, any offer of employment for this role will be subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.
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 LinkedIn, 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.
Project Manager (Health Policy & Systems) employer: Cancer Research UK
Contact Detail:
Cancer Research UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager (Health Policy & Systems)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those already working at Cancer Research UK. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that competency-based interview! Think of examples from your past experiences that showcase your project management skills and how you've tackled challenges. We want to see how you think on your feet!
✨Tip Number 3
Show us your passion for health policy and systems! During interviews, share why this work matters to you and how you can contribute to our mission to beat cancer. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Cancer Research UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager (Health Policy & Systems)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Project Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Project Management Skills: Since this role is all about managing projects, be sure to provide specific examples of your project management experience. Talk about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them to deliver successful outcomes.
Communicate Clearly: We value excellent communication skills, so make sure your written application is clear and concise. Avoid jargon and keep your sentences straightforward to ensure your message comes across effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it's super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects you've managed in the past. Be ready to discuss specific examples that highlight your project management skills, especially those related to health policy and systems. This will show your potential employer that you can hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, prepare to share examples of how you've built effective relationships in previous roles. Highlight your ability to collaborate and influence others, as this aligns with the organisation's values of being human and together.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you've used analytical and problem-solving skills in your previous projects. Bring up specific instances where your numeracy helped drive project success or improve processes. This will resonate well with the interviewers looking for someone who can keep a strategic focus while paying attention to detail.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Since excellent written and oral communication skills are crucial for this role, consider doing mock interviews with friends or family. This will help you feel more confident and ensure you convey your ideas effectively during the actual interview.