Volunteering Operations Senior Executive

Cancer Research UK (CRUK); Stratford-upon-Avon; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Hybrid work flexibility

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking an organised Operations Senior Executive to drive operational excellence across our Volunteer Proposition. You will optimise processes, manage systems, and analyse data to create a seamless volunteer experience while supporting the Volunteering Operations Manager and team.

You will work with stakeholders, develop documentation, and ensure policy compliance as the organisation grows and improves volunteer operations across the UK.

Qualifications

• Experience implementing or supporting system/process improvements.
• Strong organisational skills with multi-priority management.
• Proactive, problem-solving approach with a solutions focus.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities.
• Ability to guide and support colleagues in a team environment.
• High attention to detail and quality of work.
• Adaptable in a fast-changing environment.
• Collaborative mindset and teamwork.
• Willingness to learn and develop professionally.
• Advanced Excel skills desirable.

Responsibilities

• Partner with teams to deliver a consistent, positive volunteer experience.
• Lead development and improvement of operational processes and documentation.
• Manage department inboxes and identify trends to drive improvements.
• Develop working knowledge of key systems (MS 365, Salesforce, Siebel, Jotform, Contentful).
• Lead and support diverse projects with milestones and stakeholder engagement.
• Analyse data and produce reports to inform decisions and drive improvement.
• Provide cover for day-to-day volunteering operations when needed.
• Support colleagues and foster a collaborative, inclusive environment.
• Build cross-functional understanding of the Volunteer Proposition.
• Ensure compliance with volunteering legislation and policies.

Skills

Systems implementation

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Guidance to colleagues

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Collaboration

Continuous learning

Excel skills

Tools

Microsoft 365

Salesforce

Siebel

Jotform

Contentful

Job description

Operations Senior Executive

£32,000 – £35,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Volunteering Operations Manager

Directorate: Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement

Contract: 12 month fixed-term contract

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Closing date: 17th November 2026 23:55

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: competency based interview with a task and a potential second stage interview (if required)

Interview date: week commencing 23rd November

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We're looking for a highly organised and proactive Operations Senior Executive to play a key role in delivering operational excellence across our Volunteer Proposition. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on improving processes, managing systems, analysing data, and working collaboratively with stakeholders to create a seamless volunteer experience.

Supporting the Volunteering Operations Manager and junior members of the team, you'll help ensure the stability, effectiveness, and future growth of our volunteering proposition by implementing and optimising processes, systems, and ways of working that support both volunteers and volunteer managers.

What will I be doing?

• Partner with colleagues across the Volunteer Proposition and wider organisation to deliver a consistent and positive volunteer experience.
• Lead the development, improvement and implementation of operational processes, guidance and documentation, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Manage department inboxes and operational queries, identifying trends and recommending improvements.
• Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of key systems and platforms including Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Siebel, Jotform and Contentful
• Lead and support a variety of projects, ensuring milestones are achieved and stakeholders remain engaged throughout.
• Analyse operational data and produce insightful reports and presentations that inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with operational colleagues to ensure smooth day-to-day delivery of volunteering operations, including providing cover for key operational activities when required.
• Support and guide colleagues, acting as a positive role model within the team and contributing to a collaborative, inclusive working environment.
• Build a strong understanding of all areas within the Volunteer Proposition to support cross-functional working.
• Ensure compliance with relevant volunteering legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

What are we looking for?

• Experience managing or supporting the implementation of systems, processes, or operational improvements.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• Experience supporting or providing guidance to colleagues and team members.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work.
• The ability to adapt and remain effective in a fast-changing environment.
• A collaborative mindset and a genuine commitment to team success.
• Strong self-awareness and a desire to continually learn and develop.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, with advanced Excel skills 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.

Eligibility criteria

Internal candidates should ideally have completed their 6-month ‘getting started’ period before applying for other roles. You should also advise your current line manager at the point you make an internal application, or at the latest, at the point of being invited for an interview.

All internal candidates applying for a secondment, must have:

• completed their getting started period
• discussed their intention to apply and gained approval to apply with their line manager
• been in their substantive (home) role for at least 6 months (this is only applicable if you have previously been on secondment)

If you do not confirm that you meet these requirements, we will not be able to progress your application.

For information about internal learning and development at Cancer Research UK please visit Fuse.

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.

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.