Senior Strategy Manager in Stratford-upon-Avon

We are looking for a Senior Strategy Manager to join our small, high-performing in-house Strategy Team. Cancer Research UK is the world's largest independent cancer research organisation, with 4000+ staff bringing in £700m+ revenue through a world-class fundraising and philanthropy operation and a network of 500+ shops. Our income enables us to fund scientific research through a network of 4000+ scientists, 90 research institutions and global partnerships. We also use evidence to influence public policy and to provide information to patients. Through our commercial arm - Cancer Research Horizons - we invest and partner to take scientific breakthroughs from the lab to the bedside, translating them into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients.

This role is not suitable for general project managers or those without direct experience in shaping business strategy at an organisational level.

• Lead, own, and manage high-impact strategy projects, from initial scoping, defining the approach, through to recommendations and decisions.
• Identify and frame key strategic questions, simplify complexity, and break down problems to generate new insights and drive actionable decisions.
• Navigate and balance multiple senior stakeholders' perspectives, pushing back when needed, to achieve the best outcomes for CRUK.
• Influence - without direct line management - by working in partnership and collaboration with stakeholders across the organisation.
• Operate at pace in a dynamic environment, managing scope, resources, competing priorities and your own workload, across multiple projects.
• Conduct rigorous qualitative and quantitative analysis to explore complex strategic issues and support evidence-based decision-making.
• Bring external insight - from market trends, partners, competitors, and people affected by cancer - to inform strategic choices and direction.
• Coach and support Strategy Managers and other colleagues across CRUK to build strategic capability, navigate ambiguity, and unblock delivery challenges.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enable effective strategy development and execution.

This is a high-impact, high-visibility role, which requires strategic leadership, intellectual agility, and the ability to simplify complexity and drive clarity in ambiguous environments. As one of three Senior Strategy Managers in the team, you will lead major strategy projects, working directly with Executive Directors and Trustees.

We are seeking candidates with substantial strategy experience either in top-tier management consultancy or in-house strategy teams, who have led complex, cross-organisational projects and worked directly with senior executives and board members. In return you'll have the opportunity to shape decisions that influence how Cancer Research UK invests, grows, and evolves - across areas as diverse as scientific research, fundraising, retail, commercial ventures, and organisational design.

You’ll be motivated by our mission and excited to work across the full breadth of what Cancer Research UK does. Experience in fundraising, life sciences, healthcare or not-for-profits is a plus.

• Proven experience leading and delivering organisational strategy projects at pace - from defining the scope to driving decisions and transitioning to delivery.
• Breadth of cross-organisational experience and project types (e.g. long-term strategy, reviewing a major part of the business, strategic options assessment to drive growth, organisation design).
• Ability to draw on deep personal experience to tackle new and complex strategic challenges, think creatively, and proactively define effective approaches to deliver the work.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills - able to distil complexity into clear, actionable insight that enables major organisational decisions.
• A collaborative team player who can lead, support, and coach others effectively, contribute to building the team and a good place to work.
• Numerate and financially literate, with the ability to analyse and model data, and communicate findings in a clear and accessible way.

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 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.

As the world's largest independent cancer research charity, we conduct research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Our aim is to see 3 in 4 people survive cancer by 2034 and our staff are integral to achieving that ambition. Cancer Research UK offers you excellent prospects to expand your career as well as the ability to make a real difference to the lives of others. We're always looking for sharp, brave, and collaborative people to join Cancer Research UK and continue to make it a great place to work. Find the career you're looking for and let us change lives together.