Organisational Capability PMO/Project Lead

Cancer Research UK; Stratford-upon-Avon; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking an experienced Organisational Capability PMO/Project Lead to drive a portfolio of strategic organisational change initiatives. You will lead the PMO and deliver key projects while also managing governance, reporting and stakeholder engagement in a hybrid, office-based role in Stratford.

The role focuses on delivering projects across time, cost and quality with a 6-month fixed term contract.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of programme management, project delivery and PMO leadership within a complex organisational environment.
• Strong planning, governance and reporting skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Experience building collaborative and influential relationships with senior leaders.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and AI tools, alongside excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the Programme Management Office (PMO), ensuring governance, planning, reporting and controls across the programme.
• Develop and maintain integrated programme plans, milestones, dependencies and critical paths.
• Deliver workstream projects within the programme portfolio, ensuring outcomes meet time, cost and quality targets.
• Provide high-quality reporting on programme progress, risks, issues, dependencies and delivery status.
• Manage RAID activities, facilitate resolution of delivery challenges and implement mitigation plans.
• Build strong relationships with sponsors, senior leaders and stakeholders while promoting best practice standards.

Skills

Planning & governance

Reporting

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Organisational skills

Advanced MS Office

AI tools familiarity

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI tools

Job description

Come join us in leading complex projects and programmes that help accelerate our mission to beat cancer.

Organisational Capability PMO/Project Lead

£48,000 - £51,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Organisational Capability Change and Delivery Lead

Directorate: COO

Contract: Fixed Term Contract (6 months)

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office). It is anticipated that 2-3days in person work will be required.

Closing date: 11 October

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: Two-stage interview process

Interview Dates: 21 & 22 October

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We're looking for an experienced and proactive PMO Lead & Project Manager to play a pivotal role in delivering a portfolio of strategic organisational change initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who enjoys operating across both programme governance and hands-on project delivery. You'll lead the Programme Management Office (PMO), ensuring robust governance, reporting and oversight across a portfolio of projects, while also taking ownership for delivering key projects and workstreams that contribute to organisational success.

Working collaboratively across the organisation, you'll provide challenge, support and expertise to ensure programme objectives are achieved while championing innovation, including the use of AI tools and capabilities, to strengthen delivery effectiveness.

What will I be doing?

• Leading the day-to-day operation of the Programme Management Office (PMO), ensuring effective governance, planning, reporting and controls are in place across the programme.
• Developing and maintaining integrated programme plans, milestones, dependencies and critical paths to support informed decision making.
• Delivering workstream projects within the programme portfolio, ensuring outcomes are achieved to agreed time, cost and quality expectations.
• Providing high-quality reporting on programme progress, risks, issues, dependencies, benefits and overall delivery status.
• Managing programme RAID activities, facilitating the resolution of delivery challenges and ensuring appropriate mitigation plans are implemented.
• Building strong relationships with programme sponsors, senior leaders and stakeholders while promoting best practice programme and project management standards.

What are we looking for?

• Proven experience of programme management, project delivery and PMO leadership within a complex organisational environment.
• Strong planning, governance and reporting skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Experience building collaborative and influential relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a practical, solutions-focused approach.
• Experience managing risks, issues, dependencies and programme assurance activities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and AI tools, alongside excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.

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

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.

Please note that applications can't be edited once submitted.

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

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.