Cancer Stories Manager

Cancer Research UK; Remote; GBP 44,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health charity is seeking a Cancer Stories Manager to bring stories of those affected by cancer to the forefront of their communications. This role involves managing impactful campaigns, collaborating with teams, and engaging volunteers. The ideal candidate will have strong communications skills and experience in project management. This is a full-time, permanent position based in the UK, offering a competitive salary and benefits package. The charity is dedicated to representing diversity in storytelling and values its volunteers.

Benefits

Generous benefits package

Career development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Experienced communications professional with journalism/media/PR background.
• Ability to craft compelling narratives for campaigns.
• Experience in managing complex campaigns with multiple stakeholders.
• Creative approach to storytelling and communications.
• Understanding of volunteer engagement and support.
• Strong communication and decision-making skills.
• Experience in handling sensitive situations involving affected individuals.
• Familiarity with data management and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Source and share impactful stories showing the human impact of our work.
• Manage high-profile campaigns and initiatives with teams and partners.
• Provide guidance on case study usage based on insights.
• Build relationships with story volunteers, prioritizing their wellbeing.
• Interview volunteers and craft narratives for communications.
• Ensure campaigns reflect community diversity.
• Maintain a secure database of story volunteers.
• Guide the team in strategy development and measure impact.

Skills

Communications expertise

Storytelling skills

Project management

Creative thinking

Volunteer engagement

Influencing and decision-making

Sensitivity and resilience

Data management

Job description

Harnessing creativity. Setting strong challenges. Storytelling with impact.

Cancer Stories Manager

£44,000 - £48,500 plus benefits

Reports to: Claire Atkinson

Grade: P3

Directorate: Policy, Information and Communications

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Home-based

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.

Closing date: 21 December 2025, 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. If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact [e-mail] as soon as possible.

Recruitment process: 2 stage process. 1st stage competency, 2nd stage task.

Interview date: From the week commencing 12 January 2026.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

At Cancer Research UK, we know that behind every statistic is a person with a story. These stories have the power to inspire, connect, and drive change. As our Cancer Stories Manager, you’ll make sure the voices of people affected by cancer are at the heart of everything we do – helping us show the real impact of our work and why it matters.

You can find out more about the work of the Cancer Stories team and the people who share their experiences with us here

What will I be doing?

• Bring stories to life: You’ll source and share powerful, authentic stories of people affected by cancer to show the human impact of our work in our marketing and communications – from national campaigns and press coverage to social media and major fundraising events and activity.
• Lead complex projects: Manage high‑profile campaigns and initiatives, working with internal teams and external partners to deliver impactful content and drive forward new ways of working.
• Be the expert: Collaborate with teams across the charity, offering guidance on how to use case studies effectively. You’ll use insights and evaluation to shape our approach and ensure the stories we share make a real difference.
• Champion our volunteers: Build and nurture relationships with people affected by cancer who choose to share their experiences. You’ll recruit new story volunteers, maintain strong connections with existing ones, and make sure their wellbeing is always our priority.
• Create compelling content: Identify and develop powerful cancer stories interviewing volunteers and crafting narratives that show the human impact of cancer and the importance of our work.
• Promote inclusion: Ensure our campaigns reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, so everyone can see themselves represented in our work.
• Ensure best practice: Maintain a high‑quality database of story volunteers, ensuring data is managed securely and in line with compliance standards.
• Lead and support: Provide guidance to Senior Officers in the team and contribute to the development of our Cancer Stories strategy – driving innovation and measuring impact.

What are we looking for?

• Communications expertise: You’re an experienced communications professional with a background in journalism, media, PR or similar.
• Storytelling skills: You can spot a powerful story, and craft compelling case studies that bring campaigns to life and connect with audiences.
• Project management: You’ve managed complex campaigns with multiple stakeholders (both internal and external) and tight deadlines.
• Creative thinking: You bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to how we share stories, finding creative ways to bring real stories to the heart of our communications.
• Volunteer engagement: You understand how to build trust and support people affected by cancer as they share their experiences.
• Influencing and decision‑making: You can communicate clearly, build consensus, and make confident decisions within guidelines.
• Sensitivity and resilience: You’re experienced in handling sensitive situations and understand the emotional impact of working with people affected by cancer, including children and young people.
• Data management: Familiarity with CRMs, data compliance and GDPR is desirable.

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 fully complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.

Additional information

Owing to the nature of this position, any offer of employment for this role will be subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.

For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us at [e-mail].

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

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under‑represented.

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. Please contact [e-mail] or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

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.