Event Assistants

CANCER RESEARCH UK; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading health charity is looking for passionate Events Assistants to support various events across the UK, from May to October 2026. You will help deliver large-scale events like Race for Life and manage a team of volunteers. Ideal candidates should have a passion for events, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to work under pressure. This role includes shift work in various weather conditions and may require travel across the region.

Benefits

Substantial retirement plan

Generous flexible leave allowance

Discounts on travel and technology

Gym membership

Qualifications

• Ability to work on your own initiative.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport.
• Confidence to represent Cancer Research UK publicly.

Responsibilities

• Support the event manager in delivering events.
• Manage a diverse team of volunteers.
• Ensure health and safety guidelines at events.

Skills

Passion for events

Adaptability

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Confidence in representation

Organizational skills

Resilience under pressure

Job description

Hundreds of inspiring events. Thousands of participants. One clear purpose.

Events assistants (insert location)

Salary £13.80 per hour + benefits

Reports to: Events Manager

Department: Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement

Contract: 4 x Casual contracts (Scotland) 2 x Casual contracts (North East). May to October 2026

Hours: Shift times will vary depending on the size and type of event you are covering. Events take place between May and October and our events assistants work 6-8 events across that period with shifts between 7-12 hours.

Location: Covering Scotland from the central belt, up to Inverness and Aberdeen, Belfast, Carlisle and the North East of England from Newcastle down to Middlesbrough and Darlington.

Closing date: 28th January 2026 23:55

Interview date: Interviews will be held in person week commencing 23rd February 2026 (invites will be sent out 16th February)

Training date: Compulsory paid training taking place on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th April 2025, in Yarnfield, Staffordshire with travel, accommodation and food included.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We're looking for passionate events assistants to work in Cancer Research UK's Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement team. You'll be acting as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK, supporting the delivery of our events season including well-known events such as Race for Life, Pretty Muddy, Big Hike and Shine Night Walk. There will also be opportunities to work at third-party sports events such as the London Marathon, Manchester Marathon, Royal Parks Half Marathon, and many others.

In a lively, vibrant working environment, you'll discover something new every day, whether it's a new course, a new community or a talent you never knew you had.

You'll also be surrounded by people who are as dedicated to beating cancer as you are.

You can learn more about our fantastic teams on our event opportunities.

What will I be doing?

• Supporting the event manager in the delivery of large-scale and logistically complex events.
• Managing a large and diverse team of volunteers.
• Taking responsibility in a key role at events as Course, Obstacle or Merchandise Manager or covering Start/Finish and Site management
• Manage operational responsibilities including setting up and dismantling equipment ensuring health and safety guidelines are prioritised.
• Providing support and encouragement to Cancer Research UK participants at cheer points or post-event support at regional third-party sports events.

What skills are you looking for?

• A passion for events.
• Adaptability to changing situations with the ability to work on your own initiative.
• The ability to solve problems and respond to opportunities and challenges.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with a range of people.
• Confidence to represent Cancer Research UK publicly.
• Good organisation and prioritisation skills.
• Resilience and reliability to remain calm under pressure and consistently deliver high-quality results.
• It's a physical role . You will spend all of Event Day on your feet, which can be between 7 and 12 hours, inclusive of breaks. At all events you will be required to unload a van of equipment, put up marquees and move boxes of event equipment around the event site.

What else do I need to know?

• This role mostly takes place on weekends making it easy to fit around some jobs and/or studies.
• We work in all weather conditions, and our shifts cover some night-time events.
• We work across 5 geographical 'divisions' in the North and South. When submitting an application you will need to apply to the division where you live (if you are away studying, have a think about where you will be based during May-October). You'll need to live within the divisional boundaries and you'll need to travel across that division to cover the events in your area. Most events will include an overnight stay away from home. All travel and accommodation will be booked and paid for you.
• While driving and having access to a car is not a necessity for the role, it does help and in some circumstances, you may be asked to use your car to help set up the route for some events.

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.

What will I gain?

Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that's impressive.

In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well.

Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.

We don't forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture.

Our work - from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy - will change the world. It's exciting to be part of our team.

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 quickly, fairly and objectively.

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us.

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