Principal Content and Design Experience Lead

Cancer Research UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking a Senior Manager, Design and Content Delivery Lead to shape CRUK's content and design capabilities. You will oversee a multidisciplinary team, defining governance and operating model to deliver exceptional supporter experiences across digital channels.

The role reports to the Head of Digital, is based at CRUK's Stratford office with some in-office days, and requires eligibility to work in the UK. DBS checks apply and visa sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary content, design and user experience teams
• Strong track record delivering content and digital experience strategies with measurable outcomes
• Expertise in content/design disciplines with understanding of UX, UI, accessibility and taxonomy
• Knowledge of CMS, DAM and design systems and end-to-end supporter journeys

Responsibilities

• Define strategic direction for CRUK's content and design capability
• Lead and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team
• Own operating model, governance and prioritisation for the function
• Drive content optimisation using analytics, research and experimentation
• Champion accessibility and user-centred design across the organisation
• Oversee content platform and CMS development and manage supplier relationships
• Ensure skills, capacity and structures meet organisational needs
• Build partnerships across Digital, Data, Insights and stakeholders

Skills

Content strategy

UX leadership

UI design

CMS knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

CMS"

DAM

Design systems

Job description

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving and improving lives through research, influence and information. It works to reduce the impact of cancer on people's day-to-day lives, funding research that leads to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments. Its mission is to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

The role

This is a newly created position within the Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement directorate, reporting to the Head of Digital. It exists to shape how content and design come together to create exceptional supporter experiences across CRUK's digital channels. The role brings together expertise across content strategy, content operations, UX, UI, service design and taxonomy, and is responsible for establishing the frameworks, standards and ways of working that enable content and design teams to thrive. The postholder leads through a Senior Manager, Design and Content Delivery Lead.

What you would do

• Define the strategic direction for CRUK's content and design capability, ensuring it is future-focused, user-centred and aligned to organisational goals.
• Lead and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team, fostering a collaborative culture and shared ways of working.
• Own the operating model, governance and prioritisation approach for the function, ensuring clear decision-making, effective resource planning and delivery excellence.
• Drive CRUK's content optimisation strategy, using audience insight, analytics, search, experimentation and user research to improve the quality, findability and effectiveness of content.
• Champion accessibility, user-centred design and content best practice across the organisation.
• Oversee key transformation initiatives, including content platform and CMS developments, while managing supplier relationships, budgets and associated risks.
• Ensure content and design teams have the right skills, capacity and structures to meet current and future organisational needs.
• Build strong partnerships across Digital, Data, Insights and other stakeholder groups to maximise organisational impact.

What they are looking for

• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary content, design and user experience teams, including managing senior leaders and managers.
• A strong track record of developing and delivering content and digital experience strategies that drive measurable user and organisational outcomes.
• Expertise in one or more content or design disciplines, alongside a broad understanding of UX, UI, service design, content operations, accessibility and taxonomy.
• Specific knowledge of CMS, DAM and design systems, and of end-to-end supporter journeys.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build alignment and drive change across complex organisations.
• Strong people leadership experience, creating inclusive, high-performing teams and developing future talent.
• Experience managing budgets, suppliers, contracts and organisational risk.
• An understanding of emerging technologies, including AI and automation, and how they can enhance content and design operations.

Working arrangements

The role is based at CRUK's Stratford office (2 Redman Place, London). It is office-based with high flexibility, requiring 1-2 days per week in the office. Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK; visa sponsorship is not available. Any offer of employment is subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.

Pay and benefits

£75,000 - £81,000 per annum plus benefits. The role is permanent and full time at 35 hours per week.