At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative cancer research for children and young people, shaping impactful strategies.
- 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 working with a collaborative culture and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young cancer patients through innovative research.
- Qualifications: Strategic leadership experience in complex research portfolios and strong partnership-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Directorate: Research & Innovation
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London
Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: Sunday 28th June 2026
Visa sponsorship: Cancer Research UK can consider visa sponsorship for this vacancy. If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We’re looking for an exceptional and ambitious strategic leader to shape the future of children and young people’s cancer research. This is a high-profile role leading a priority portfolio at scale — driving forward bold, transformative plans to transform outcomes, with a focus on better, kinder treatments. You’ll build powerful partnerships, influence globally, and bring together science, funding and collaboration to accelerate progress for young patients.
What will I be doing?
- Lead the development and delivery of a bold, long‑term strategy for Children & Young People (CYP) cancer research, positioning it as a major organisational priority
- Build and secure high‑value partnerships and funding, growing income to support our ambitions
- Shape and oversee a complex research portfolio spanning discovery through to clinical impact
- Act as a senior external ambassador, building influential relationships with global funders, researchers, clinicians and partners
- Drive a step‑change in strategic collaboration, including consortia-building and new partnership models in paediatric research
- Lead, inspire and develop a multidisciplinary team, fostering a high‑performing and collaborative culture
What are we looking for?
- A highly strategic leader with experience delivering large‑scale, complex research or innovation portfolios
- Strong track record of building and securing major partnerships, funding, or philanthropic investment that have delivered impact
- Deep credibility in the research landscape (ideally oncology, paediatrics, or translational science)
- Proven ability to operate externally at senior level, influencing and building global relationships
- Experience creating and delivering ambitious strategies from the ground up
- A collaborative, inclusive leadership style with the ability to inspire teams and stakeholders
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.
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.
Associate Director (Childrens & Young Peoples Cancer Research) in Stratford-upon-Avon employer: Cancer Research UK
At Cancer Research UK, we are dedicated to beating cancer and fostering a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and development. As an Associate Director in our Stratford office, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative research initiatives while enjoying flexible working arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package that supports your career growth and personal goals. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people affected by cancer, in an environment that values inclusivity and ambition.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director (Childrens & Young Peoples Cancer Research) in Stratford-upon-Avon
✨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 Associate Director (Childrens & Young Peoples Cancer Research) in Stratford-upon-Avon
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 Associate Director (Childrens & Young Peoples Cancer Research), 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!
