Senior Strategy Manager

Cancer Research UK; Stratford-upon-Avon; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking a Senior Strategy Manager (Health & Science Policy Senior Strategy Manager) to lead strategic projects within the Policy, Information & Communications (PIC) directorate in Stratford, with office-based work and flexible days. The role focuses on scoping, recommendations and handover to delivery teams, coordinating internal and external resources.

You will help establish a PIC strategy capability, foster cross-team collaboration, conduct horizon scanning of health and

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading and delivering strategy projects or programmes in a large, complex organisation.
• Experience of setting up new ways of working or establishing a new capability.
• Collaborative and independent thinker who builds trust quickly and can challenge constructively.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Proven horizon scanning, foresight and strategic insight capabilities.
• Strong analytical skills with qualitative and quantitative research expertise.
• Knowledge of the health sector, science policy environment, research sector and/or wider R&D landscape.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver strategic projects supporting PIC priorities, from initial scoping through to recommendations and handover to delivery teams, leading flexible teams and external consultants where needed.
• Establish a PIC strategy capability, building relationships, ways of working and credibility across PIC to help it succeed, and line manage a Strategy Manager if needed.
• Build trusted working relationships across PIC and the wider organisation, bringing people together around shared priorities.
• Conduct horizon scanning across the health, science and R&D landscape, bringing in external insight from policy developments, market trends, partners and stakeholders.
• Produce high-quality analysis, presentations and recommendations for Executive Directors and Senior Leadership Teams.
• Contribute to PIC's Strategic Advisory Group to inform strategic thinking.

Skills

Strategy leadership

Influencing & collaboration

Communication

Horizon scanning

Analytical skills

Job description

Senior Strategy Manager

This role will be known internally as Health & Science Policy Senior Strategy Manager. Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 plus benefits Reports to: Strategic Delivery Lead - PIC Directorate: Policy, Information & Communications (PIC) Contract: Permanent, Full Time Hours: 35 hours per week Location: Stratford, Highflex. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office) Closing date: 16 November 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: Two-stage interview process, including a presentation exercise. Interview Dates: W/C 23rd & 30th November 2026.

What will I be doing?

• Lead and deliver strategic projects supporting PIC priorities, from initial scoping through to recommendations and handover to delivery teams, leading flexible teams and external consultants where needed.
• Establish a PIC strategy capability, building the relationships, ways of working and credibility with teams across PIC that will help it succeed, make the case for additional capacity and, if that goes ahead, line manage a Strategy Manager.
• Build trusted working relationships across PIC and the wider organisation, bringing people together around shared priorities, even when views differ.
• Conduct horizon scanning across the health, science and R&D landscape, bringing in external insight from policy developments, market trends, partners, stakeholders and people affected by cancer, to identify emerging trends, risks and opportunities.
• Produce high-quality analysis, presentations and recommendations for Executive Directors and Senior Leadership Teams.
• Contribute to PIC's Strategic Advisory Group, which brings in external expertise to inform our strategic thinking.

What are we looking for?

• Significant experience leading and delivering strategy projects or programmes in a large, complex organisation, getting work done by influencing and coordinating colleagues across several teams, including people more senior than you, rather than relying on formal authority.
• Experience of setting up new ways of working, or establishing a new capability, in an organisation.
• A collaborative and independent thinker who is approachable and builds trust quickly, listens well, and can challenge constructively and handle disagreement with confidence and sensitivity, while still driving strategic outcomes.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Proven horizon scanning, foresight and strategic insight capabilities.
• Strong analytical skills with qualitative and quantitative research expertise.
• Knowledge of the health sector, science policy environment, research sector and/or wider R&D landscape.

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.

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.

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 [e-mail].

As the world’s largest independent cancer research charity, we conduct research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Our aim is to see 3 in 4 people survive cancer by 2034 and our staff are integral to achieving that ambition.

Cancer Research UK offers you excellent prospects to expand your career as well as the ability to make a real difference to the lives of others. We're always looking for sharp, brave, and collaborative people to join Cancer Research UK and continue to make it a great place to work.