At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK's first oncology-focused therapeutic accelerator, shaping strategy and supporting innovative ventures.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leader in cancer innovation and treatment development.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to conquering cancer and supporting groundbreaking research.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fight against cancer while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in accelerator programmes, strong relationship-building skills, and a background in healthcare or life sciences.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 95000 £ per year.
Salary: P4 £85,000 - £95,000 pa depending on experience
Reports to: Associate Director Search & Evaluation
Department: Research & Innovation
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week (flexible-working requests for compressed hours will also be considered if it meets business needs)
Location: Stratford, London with high flexibility (we would expect you to be in the office on average 1-2 days per week). There will be UK based travel, largely in the South of England, and some international travel with this role.
Closing date: Tuesday 14th April at 23.59
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 experienced Programme Lead to oversee the Cancer Research Horizons Therapeutic Accelerator - the UK's first and only oncology-focused therapeutic accelerator. The programme supports early-stage oncology ventures, helping founders progress from discovery through translation, venture formation and investment readiness.
In this unique leadership role, you'll shape programme strategy and curriculum, build and manage a high-quality mentor and partner network, and provide hands-on support to participating teams. Working closely with the Associate Director of Search & Evaluation, you'll ensure the programme delivers an exceptional founder experience and drives high-impact oncology innovation.
We're looking for someone with deep sector knowledge, excellent relationship-building skills, and a passion for accelerating the next generation of oncology therapeutics while contributing to a world-class innovation ecosystem.
About the team: This role sits within the Cancer Research Horizons (CRH) team. Cancer Research Horizons is the innovation engine of Cancer Research UK, translating cutting-edge innovations into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients. With exclusive rights to CRUK's annual investment of over £300 million in world-class cancer research, we're a powerful partner in the fight to conquer cancer. We're currently the second largest oncology out-licensor globally, and to date we've played an instrumental role in forming over 90 startup companies, supported £3.45 billion raised, and have helped bring 14 new cancer drugs to market.
What will I be doing?
- Lead the short, medium and long-term strategy, design and continuous improvement of the CRH Therapeutic Accelerator in alignment with organisational priorities.
- Develop and refine the programme curriculum and deliver the full end-to-end cohort experience, ensuring it is founder-first, inclusive and outcomes-focused.
- Manage day-to-day programme operations, including coordination of internal contributors, budget oversight and resource planning.
- Provide structured guidance and challenge to participating teams, supporting them to refine strategy, prioritise actions and build credible development, resourcing and fundraising plans.
- Identify capability gaps and connect teams with suitable mentors, experts, service providers or investors, monitoring progress and intervening where necessary.
- Build, manage and engage a high-quality network of mentors, subject-matter experts, investors and strategic partners for programme delivery and showcase events.
- Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective ventures; lead outreach, assessment, interview panels and due diligence for selection.
- Cultivate relationships with funders, sponsors, academic and corporate partners across the innovation ecosystem, representing the accelerator externally and supporting senior-level reporting and communications.
- Build and engage an alumni community to sustain post-programme momentum and enhance long-term accelerator impact.
- Define, measure and report programme KPIs and impact metrics, gathering feedback to drive continuous improvement and producing reports, case studies and communications that demonstrate value.
What skills are we looking for?
- Proven experience delivering accelerator, incubator, or innovation programmes, ideally within healthcare, life sciences, or oncology therapeutics.
- Strong understanding of early-stage oncology therapeutic startup challenges, funding pathways, and the wider innovation ecosystem.
- Experience commercialising innovation and supporting early-stage ventures through investment readiness, fundraising preparation, and strategic development.
- Skilled in stakeholder management, with the ability to build, maintain, and influence relationships across founders, investors, corporates, and academic or clinical partners.
- Excellent organisational and programme-delivery capabilities, with a track record of planning and executing complex initiatives.
- Confident communicator with experience facilitating workshops, group sessions, and founder-focused learning environments.
- Academic background in a scientific or healthcare discipline (PhD or equivalent), ideally oncology, therapeutics, or drug discovery.
- Experience in therapeutic innovation, drug discovery, or pre-clinical translation, with understanding of IP, regulatory requirements, and translational pathways relevant to oncology.
- Coaching or mentoring experience with founders, scientific leaders, or startup teams.
- A strong network within investor, corporate, academic, or innovation communities relevant to oncology therapeutics.
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.
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 quickly, fairly, and objectively.
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Therapeutic Accelerator Programme Lead employer: Cancer Research UK
At Cancer Research UK, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and innovative work environment that empowers our employees to make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer. As a Therapeutic Accelerator Programme Lead based in Stratford, London, you will benefit from flexible working arrangements, a generous benefits package, and numerous opportunities for professional growth within a world-class innovation ecosystem. Join us in our mission to accelerate oncology therapeutics while enjoying a collaborative culture that values boldness, credibility, humanity, and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Therapeutic Accelerator Programme Lead
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
Dive into industry-specific events like pharmaceutical conferences and seminars, where you can meet hiring managers from companies like Cancer Research UK. These are goldmines for making connections and learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream job boards.
✨Join Relevant Professional Bodies
Get involved with organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or your local pharmaceutical professionals' network. Being an active member can boost your credibility and may even lead to job referrals in top organisations like Cancer Research UK.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like Cancer Research UK. These opportunities often pave the way for full-time positions and allow you to demonstrate your capabilities firsthand.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When you're applying for roles, don't rush it! Take the time to customise your applications for specific positions, showcasing relevant skills and experiences that align with what Cancer Research UK is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Therapeutic Accelerator Programme Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Cancer Research UK!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Cancer Research UK that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Cancer Research UK!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Cancer Research UK, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Cancer Research UK that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with Cancer Research UK’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
