This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Programme Development and Operations Manager to lead the evolution of our Cancer Awareness in the Workplace programme and make a real difference to cancer awareness and prevention in workplaces nationwide.
£46,000 - £49,000 plus benefits
Reports to: Senior Health Community Engagement Manager
Directorate: Policy, Information and Communications
Contract: 12-month Fixed-Term Contract
Hours: Full time (35 hours per week)
Location: Stratford, London (2 Redman Place) – Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: 3 August 2026
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: Acompetency-based interview with task. A second stage interview will be held if required.
Interview Dates: Week commencing 10 August 2026 or 17 August 2026.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.
We’re looking for an experienced and collaborative Programme Development and Operations Manager to lead the development of our Cancer Awareness in the Workplace (CAW) programme. This role offers an exciting opportunity to help shape how employees across the UK engage with cancer prevention, awareness and early diagnosis.
What will I be doing?
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of the Cancer Awareness in the Workplace programme.
• Oversee the creation, testing and quality assurance of engaging, evidence-based products and resourcesProvide line management to two Officers and one Senior Officer, collaborating with the Programme Delivery Manager in a matrix structure to support team performance and successful programme delivery.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Work with an advisory panel to ensure lived experience and clinical expertise to inform programme activity.
• Oversee programme evaluation, reporting and impact measurement.
• Manage operational processes, compliance activities, budgets and staff training.
What are we looking for?
• Strong people management skills with the ability to motivate, support and develop others.
• Excellent programme and project management experience.
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Excellent analytical skills and experience using evaluation or research.
• A proactive approach to improving systems and processes.
• An interest in health promotion, wellbeing and reducing health inequalities.
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.
Internal eligibility criteria
Internal candidates should ideally have completed their 6-month ‘getting started’ period before applying for other roles. You should also advise your current line manager at the point you make an internal application, or at the latest, at the point of being invited for an interview.
All internal candidates applying for a secondment, must have:
Completed their getting started period
Discussed their intention to apply and gained approval to apply with their line manager
Been in their substantive (home) role for at least 6 months (this is only applicable if you have previously been on secondment)
If you do not confirm that you meet these requirements, we will not be able to progress your application.
For information about internal learning and development at Cancer Research UK please visit Fuse.
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.
Additional Information
For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us at [email protected].
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: LinkedIn, 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.
Skills Required
- Strong people management skills with the ability to motivate, support and develop others
- Excellent programme and project management experience
- Strong stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills
- Excellent analytical skills and experience using evaluation or research
- Proactive approach to improving systems and processes
- Experience managing operational processes, compliance activities, budgets and staff training
- Interest in health promotion, wellbeing and reducing health inequalities
- Eligible to work in the UK; employer does not sponsor visas
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
