Events and Sports Senior Marketing Manager

Events and Sports Senior Marketing Manager 

£52,000-£57,000 plus benefits 

Reports to: Proposition Marketing Lead 

Directorate: ​Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement​ 

Contract: ​12 month fixed-term contract​ 

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: 15th March 2026 23:55  

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact [email protected] or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible. 

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship. 

Recruitment process: 2 stage competency-based interviews  

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. 

We’re looking for a motivated Events and Sports Senior Marketing Manager responsible for driving performance across marketing channels, using data-led campaign optimisation to improve acquisition, conversion and efficiency. 

This role will manage a team of marketing specialists and work with agencies, to deliver a cross-channel marketing plan to achieve the proposition KPIs. This is a high impact role - leading the marketing strategy, performance and creative direction for Race for Life, one of our most loved and iconic fundraising propositions. 

You’ll shape and deliver a fully integrated, insight led marketing program that drives participation and ensures we continue raising vital funds to help beat cancer.

If you’re passionate about leading impactful campaigns, thrive in a fast paced environment, and want to play a major role in transforming one of CRUK’s flagship campaigns, we’d love to hear from you.

What will I be doing? 

• Lead your team to implement and optimise a year-round integrated cross-org proposition marketing programme that maximises ROI - managing everything from planning, budgets, deadlines, stakeholders, creative, media, delivery, results and analysis 

• Work closely with the Marketing Planning function and the Proposition team to feed overarching proposition strategy, objectives and campaign results and insight into the Marketing Brief and consult throughout the planning process 

• Translate the top-line cross-channel marketing strategy, KPIs and resource plan into the proposition marketing plan to achieve objectives, working with key stakeholders and agencies to develop this 

• Oversee and lead creative development and production across a wide range of channels and materials by leading your team to work collaboratively with creative agencies, freelancers and in-house designers 

• Work with the Planning experts to ensure we are utilising the most effective channel mix to engage our key audiences and drive efficiencies 

• Ensure campaigns are set up to be optimised for performance and ensure continual monitoring and improvement throughout the campaign life cycle 

• Work with Digital Marketing experts and Technology stakeholders to ensure that digital communications, campaign landing pages and the end-to-end journey is set up to maximise engagement and conversion 

• Work with Performance, Data and Insight experts to ensure we are maximising the value of our data as an asset, and effectively using data to target the right individuals with the right message at the right time 

• Manage and motivate key agencies and suppliers, ensuring they are driving value for Cancer Research UK and delivering best in class campaigns and content 

• Work with stakeholders across CRUK to ensure we are taking a holistic, one CRUK approach to engaging our audiences 

• Work with Insight stakeholders in Marketing and across the organisation to track and monitor the impact of our campaigns, ensuring we are meeting and exceeding marketing objectives 

What are we looking for? 

• Significant marketing leadership experience, with proven track record of delivering results through effective team leadership, and strong knowledge of proposition marketing 

• Expertise in delivering target-driven campaigns, with evidence of achieving key marketing performance metrics 

• Experience of working with talent and influencers to achieve marketing objectives 

• Strategic thinker with significant experience of translating strategy into operational planning, and delivering multi-channel marketing campaigns with strong digital marketing acumen 

• Understanding of campaign testing methodologies and continual optimisation to drive performance 

• Relevant experience of managing and motivating agencies and suppliers to drive maximum value from relationships 

• Significant understanding of end-to-end supporter journeys and the role of different marketing channels in fully integrated campaigns   

• Ability to build collaborative relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels    

• A flexible approach to adapt to changing priorities    

• A professional marketing qualification, such as Institute of Digital Marketing or Chartered Institute of Marketing, or equivalent experience.  

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. 

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 fairly and objectively.  

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at [email protected].    

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.  

There’s a place for everyone at Cancer Research UK. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. 

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented, and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to beat cancer sooner. 

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 don’t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed.

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 by emailing us at [email protected]. 

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.