At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a global consortium tackling cancer's toughest challenges and coordinate diverse research teams.
- Company: Join the Francis Crick Institute, Europe's largest biomedical research hub.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, health support, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cancer research while collaborating with top scientists worldwide.
- Qualifications: Degree in a relevant field and experience managing complex research projects.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 55973 - 55973 £ per year.
This is a full‑time, fixed term (4 years) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
Reports to: Consortium Lead and Head of Programme Management Office
Salary for this Role: From £55,973 with benefits, subject to skills and experience
Application Deadline: Tuesday 21st April 2026 at 11.55pm
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world‑class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure, cutting‑edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high‑quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.
About the Programme
Cancer Grand Challenges is a global initiative led by Cancer Research and the US National Cancer Institute, tackling cancer’s toughest problems. This year, team InteroCANCEption – led at the Crick – has been awarded £20m to explore how the nervous system interacts with cancer, focusing on lung, pancreatic and colorectal cancers. The programme brings together a multidisciplinary, international consortium across the UK, US, Portugal and Switzerland, alongside patient advocates to help shape research and drive real‑world impact.
About the role
We are seeking a Consortium Programme Manager to support this ambitious global programme. Based in London, you will work closely with collaborators worldwide. Working closely with the team lead, you will coordinate a diverse network of leading researchers across cancer biology, neuroscience, neuroimmunology and emerging technologies. You will play a key role in ensuring clear communication across the consortium and with funders, while driving delivery of programme milestones. This role would suit someone with experience managing complex, large‑scale projects or grants, ideally within a scientific or academic setting.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading the day‑to‑day management of the InteroCANCEption consortium, ensuring effective coordination across a global network of partners.
- Acting as the central point of contact for researchers, clinicians, funders and internal teams to support smooth programme delivery.
- Overseeing project plans, timelines and milestones, ensuring progress is tracked and risks are proactively managed.
- Building strong relationships with stakeholders and supporting strategic planning across the programme.
- Leading reporting and communications, including funder updates, programme outputs and key deliverables.
- Collaborating with internal teams (e.g. Finance, Grants, HR, Legal and Communications) to ensure effective programme and grant management.
About you
You will have:
Essential:- Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience, with a strong background in managing scientific or research projects.
- Proven experience overseeing complex programmes across the full grant lifecycle, ideally within academic, non‑profit or pharmaceutical environments.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build relationships across scientific, clinical and industry partners.
- Confidence working with complex data, including financial tracking and reporting.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise, problem‑solve and manage competing demands.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage a wide range of audiences.
- Collaborative and adaptable approach, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
- Postgraduate qualification in a relevant life sciences discipline (e.g. cancer, immunology or neuroscience).
- Experience managing large, multidisciplinary research consortia.
- Experience contributing to strategy development or programme design.
- Project management qualification (e.g. Prince2, APM, AgilePM).
- Understanding of data management or laboratory practices within a research environment.
About Working at the Crick
Our values Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture! We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.
At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we’ll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: ruby.oluwafemi@crick.ac.uk.
What will you receive?
At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well‑being and development:
- Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK.
- Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
- Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
- Health & Well‑being: 24/7 GP consultation services, occupational health services and mental health support programmes, eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
- Work‑Life Balance: Back‑up care for dependents, childcare support allowance, annual leave purchase options, Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
- Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike‑to‑work scheme, and shopping discounts, subsidised on‑site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.
- Career support: A Post‑doc to PI programme and other career development activities.
Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.
Consortium Programme Manager (Cancer Research) employer: Francis Crick Institute
Contact Detail:
Francis Crick Institute Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Consortium Programme Manager (Cancer Research)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the Crick. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Crick and its projects. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your project management skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex projects. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨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 the Crick team. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Consortium Programme Manager (Cancer Research)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Consortium Programme Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing complex projects and your ability to work with diverse teams, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of communication with various stakeholders, emphasise your strong written and verbal communication skills. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles to ensure smooth project delivery.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the essential criteria listed in the job description. If you have experience in cancer research or managing large-scale programmes, make it stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Francis Crick Institute
✨Know Your Consortium Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Cancer Grand Challenges initiative and the specific goals of the InteroCANCEption programme. Familiarise yourself with the key players involved and the latest research in cancer biology and neuroscience. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you engage in meaningful discussions during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience managing complex projects or grants. Prepare specific examples that highlight your organisational skills, ability to track progress, and how you've managed risks in past roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Build Relationships, Even Virtually
Since this role involves coordinating a global network, emphasise your stakeholder management skills. Share examples of how you've built strong relationships across diverse teams and disciplines. Highlight your collaborative approach and adaptability, as these are crucial for success in a multidisciplinary environment.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, both verbally and in writing. Be prepared to discuss how you would handle communications with funders and internal teams. Consider preparing a brief presentation on a relevant topic to demonstrate your ability to convey complex information effectively.