At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver transformative projects across multiple teams for impactful change.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leader in health transformation with a collaborative spirit.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous benefits, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in cancer research while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in programme management and strong strategic thinking.
The predicted salary is between 56000 - 62000 £ per year.
£56,000 - £62,000 plus benefits
Reports to: Head of Proposition
Grade: P3
Directorate: Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement
Contract: Fixed Term contract till December 2027
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London. High Flex (1-2 days per week in office). Flexible working requests will be considered.
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.
External closing date: 28 June 2026, 23:55
Internal closing date: 5 July 2026, 23:55
The opportunity:
You will take overall responsibility for shaping and delivering our Give Strategy, turning bold ambition into clear priorities, accountable delivery and measurable outcomes. Working across Marketing, Fundraising, Technology and Finance, you will lead a diverse portfolio of change, ensuring strong governance, pace, and alignment with CRUK’s wider transformation agenda. This critical leadership role involves:
- Drive end-to-end delivery of a complex, cross-functional transformation
- Bring clarity to priorities, sequencing and ownership across multiple workstreams
- Establish strong governance, decision making forums and controls
- Manage dependencies, risks and resources across a large-scale programme
- Build senior stakeholder alignment, providing both support and challenge
- Maintain momentum, unblock issues and ensure delivery against outcomes
Who we’re looking for:
You are a proven programme leader with experience operating at scale, ideally in organisations with complex payment systems or customer journeys. You bring:
- Strong strategic mindset with a focus on measurable outcomes
- Experience leading large transformation programmes across matrixed organisations
- Confidence influencing senior stakeholders and driving decisions
- Expertise in governance, planning, and delivery across technology and business change
- A data‑driven, agile approach to delivering value
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 personal wellbeing goals.
Senior Programme Manager - Give Transformation employer: Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a generous benefits package and flexible working arrangements in the vibrant location of Stratford, London, employees are empowered to achieve a healthy work-life balance while contributing to meaningful transformation initiatives that make a real difference in the fight against cancer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Programme Manager - Give Transformation
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Cancer Research UK.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Cancer Research UK.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Cancer Research UK.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Cancer Research UK. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Programme Manager - Give Transformation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Cancer Research UK. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Senior Programme Manager - Give Transformation, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Cancer Research UK. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
