Lead – Strategic Communications (Corporate & Consumer)
£63,000 - £65,000 per annum plus benefits
Contract: 12-month Fixed Term Contract
Closing date: 13th September 2026
Recruitment Process: Two-stage competency-based interview process
Interviews: First stage remote, second stage in person
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.
We're looking for an exceptional communications leader to join our Strategic Communications & Campaigns team, and lead our Corporate & Consumer communications function. Leading a team of six communications professionals, you'll help shape how CRUK engages audiences, builds brand relevance, supports fundraising and protects its reputation through impactful, insight-led communications.
What will I be doing?
Lead CRUK’s Corporate & Consumer communications function, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, brand strategy and narrative.
Oversee integrated, multi-channel communications campaigns that support fundraising, partnerships, trading, events and brand-building objectives.
Drive a unified approach to campaign planning across national and regional PR activity.
Lead corporate communications including CEO communications, employer brand, EDI communications and Annual Report & Accounts activity.
Provide strategic leadership on crisis communications, issues management and reputational risk.
Manage and develop a team of six, creating a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture.
What are we looking for?
Extensive senior-level communications experience.
Proven success delivering integrated PR campaigns and multi-channel communications strategies.
Experience using audience insight, data and evaluation to inform decision making.
Expertise in crisis communications, issues management and reputation protection.
Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
Experience managing teams, budgets and external agencies.
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.
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
What will I gain?
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, career development opportunities and high-quality tools.
How do I apply?
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications.
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.
Skills Required
- Extensive senior-level communications experience
- Proven success delivering integrated PR campaigns and multi-channel communications strategies
- Experience using audience insight, data, and evaluation to inform decision-making
- Expertise in crisis communications, issues management, and reputation protection
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Experience managing teams, budgets, and external agencies
What We Do
Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information. Nearly one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime, but we’re finding new ways to outsmart it, so that more people can live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer. We carry out scientific research to help prevent, diagnose and treat cancer and our groundbreaking work, funded almost entirely by the general public, will ensure that millions more people survive. Together we are beating cancer. Registered charity No. 1089464
