At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead performance strategy and optimise fundraising efforts for a global impact.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leading charity transforming cancer care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hybrid work, and visa sponsorship for eligible candidates.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in cancer research while shaping strategic decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in performance frameworks and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 70000 € per year.
An exciting leadership opportunity is now available in London for experienced performance and strategy professionals seeking to make a global impact. Cancer-focused innovation meets data-driven decision-making in this Portfolio Performance Lead role, based in Stratford, England, offering a salary of £65,000–£70,000 plus benefits and Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for eligible international candidates.
This permanent, full-time position (35 hours per week) follows a highly flexible hybrid model, with just 1–2 days per week in the office, making it an attractive option for overseas professionals relocating to the UK.
About Role
As Portfolio Performance Lead, you will sit at the heart of organisational strategy, shaping how fundraising, marketing, and engagement performance is measured, understood, and optimised. You will build a unified, trusted view of portfolio-wide performance, translating complex data into clear insights that guide senior leadership decisions.
This is a high-impact leadership role combining people management, performance frameworks, and strategic storytelling. You will lead Senior Performance Managers, collaborate closely with finance, data, insight, and marketing teams. You will also help embed a culture of audience-led, outcome-focused decision-making across the organisation.
About Hiring Firm
Cancer Research UK is one of the world’s leading cancer charities, funding pioneering research and driving transformational change in how people engage with lifesaving causes. With a bold mission to help everyone live longer, better lives free from cancer, the organisation invests heavily in insight, digital innovation, and supporter experience.
Joining Cancer Research UK means becoming part of a collaborative, purpose-driven environment where your work directly supports groundbreaking research and global health outcomes.
Responsibilities
- Develop and communicate a unified portfolio performance narrative across fundraising and engagement activities
- Lead portfolio-level performance frameworks, reviews, and senior leadership discussions to identify risks and opportunities
- Manage and coach a team of Senior Performance Managers, ensuring strong delivery and ownership across proposition areas
- Provide senior stakeholders with a centralised, consistent, and independent view of performance
- Lead priority and target-setting processes in partnership with finance, data, and strategy teams
- Drive innovation by reducing manual reporting and strengthening insight-led performance storytelling
- Establish best practices for performance standards, tools, and ways of working across the organisation
- Champion data literacy and continuous improvement to strengthen organisational performance culture
Requirements
- Proven experience building and owning performance frameworks with finance, data, insight, and strategy teams
- Strong understanding of performance measurement across marketing, audience engagement, and organisational effectiveness
- Demonstrated ability to synthesise complex data into clear strategic recommendations
- Experience leading and developing senior managers in high-performing teams
- Confidence influencing stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership
- Track record contributing to organisational change and audience-led approaches
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present insights to non-technical audiences
This Portfolio Performance Lead role offers international professionals a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership with meaningful social impact in the UK. This is an ideal next step for experienced performance leaders ready to shape large-scale engagement strategies while contributing to a world-changing mission.
Portfolio Performance Lead Job in UK 2026 | Cancer Research UK employer: NewsNowGh
Cancer Research UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work culture that empowers employees to make a significant impact in the fight against cancer. With a strong focus on professional development and innovation, the organisation provides ample opportunities for growth while supporting a flexible hybrid working model that enhances work-life balance. Joining our team means being part of a purpose-driven mission where your contributions directly influence global health outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Portfolio Performance Lead Job in UK 2026 | Cancer Research UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission, especially in areas like performance measurement and audience engagement.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've turned complex data into actionable insights. This will resonate well with hiring managers looking for strategic thinkers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Performance Lead Job in UK 2026 | Cancer Research UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Portfolio Performance Lead role. Highlight your experience with performance frameworks and data-driven decision-making, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for cancer research and how your leadership experience can drive our organisational strategy. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and influence stakeholders. Use metrics where possible to show the impact of your work – we love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining Cancer Research UK!
How to prepare for a job interview at NewsNowGh
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Portfolio Performance Lead, you'll be expected to translate complex data into clear insights. Make sure you brush up on relevant performance metrics and frameworks before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decision-making in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves managing Senior Performance Managers, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, fostered collaboration, and influenced stakeholders at various levels. Highlight any coaching or mentoring experiences you've had.
✨Understand Cancer Research UK's Mission
Familiarise yourself with Cancer Research UK's goals and recent initiatives. Being able to articulate how your skills align with their mission will show your genuine interest in the role. Think about how your background in performance measurement can contribute to their cause.
✨Prepare for Strategic Storytelling
Since this position requires strong communication skills, practice how you would present complex insights to non-technical audiences. Consider crafting a narrative around a past project where you successfully communicated performance outcomes and recommendations to senior leadership.
