4,000 professionals, 0 days wasted, 1 incredible purpose. Together we are beating cancer.
C-Further Programme Lead
Salary : £80,000 - £95,000 pa depending on experience
Reports to : Chief Business Officer
Department : Research & Innovation
Contract : Permanent
Hours : Full time 35 hours per week (flexible-working requests for compressed hours will also be considered if it meets business needs)
Location: Stratford, London with high flexibility (we would expect you to be in the office on average 1-2 days per week) There will be quarterly international travel with this role.
Closing date : Sunday 31st August at 23.59 This vacancy may close earlier if a high number of applications are received or once a suitable candidate is found, so please do not delay submitting your application to avoid any disappointment.
We’re looking for a Programme Lead to drive the C-Further initiative—an ambitious programme focused on accelerating breakthrough therapies for children with cancer.
This is a high-impact leadership role where you’ll shape strategy, oversee delivery across core workstreams, and represent C-Further globally. You’ll lead high-performing teams, manage multimillion-pound budgets, and build strategic partnerships across academia, industry, government, and the patient community. As a visible ambassador for the programme, you’ll champion patient involvement and inspire collaboration to bring hope to children and families affected by cancer.
About the team
This role sits within the Cancer Research Horizons team. Cancer Research Horizons is the innovation engine of Cancer Research UK, translating cutting-edge innovations into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients. With exclusive rights to CRUK’s annual investment of over £300 million in world-class cancer research, we’re a powerful partner in the fight to conquer cancer. We’re currently the second largest oncology out-licensor globally, and to date we’ve played an instrumental role in forming over 60 startup companies, and bringing 11 new cancer drugs to market, with 6 million doses administered to cancer patients all over the world.
The discovery and development of new therapeutics specifically for childhood cancers simply hasn't been commercially viable – at least, by following the same pathways to market as adult cancer treatment. Rising to the challenge of childhood cancer requires a fundamental change in the way children and young people’s cancer drugs are discovered, developed and brought to market. C-Further is an international consortium, bringing together researchers, clinicians, investors and other partners with a shared commitment to address the issues that cause development of potential new therapeutics for cancers affecting children and young people to stall or never begin.
What will I be doing?
Leadership of the joint management team, established in collaboration with our partners LifeArc, to ensure effective decision-making across key workstreams including project sourcing and review, partnerships, marketing and communications, and patient involvement.
Lead matrix management of the project team, securing internal resources or outsourcing as needed.
Manage strategic relationships with key delivery partners for C-Further.
Oversee the portfolio of approved research programmes in collaboration with scientific leads and therapeutic discovery teams.
Act as a visible and vocal ambassador for C-Further, sharing the strategy and inspiring international engagement. Lead senior stakeholder engagement across academia, charities, industry, and government.
Serve as the main point of contact for C-Further governance, including the Joint Steering Committee, Scientific Advisory Board, and internal leadership.
Own the C-Further budget, ensuring efficient use of resources with accurate forecasting and cost control.
Collaborate with CRUK Leadership to develop a strategy for translating and commercialising assets from C-Further and the wider portfolio, aligning efforts across the Research and Innovation Directorate.
Design and deliver a fundraising strategy and campaign in partnership with the Philanthropy and Fundraising teams.
Implement the patient involvement strategy to ensure the patient voice is central to all C-Further activities.
What skills are we looking for?
PhD (or equivalent) in a scientific or healthcare discipline, ideally oncology/technology-related
A visible, vocal leader who proactively promotes C-Further activity, building relationships with the external research community and potential partnerships, becoming a thought-leader in the childhood cancer community. Comfortable representing the organisation at high-profile conferences and events.
Experience of fundraising against initiatives in either commercial or philanthropic settings.
Experience in leading complex strategic priorities or initiatives for research organisations, ensuring successful design and delivery against the objectives.
Ability to inspire and lead a matrix project team, building effective collaborative relationships. Able to provide clear direction and guidance to workstream leads, while delegating delivery and holding them to account.
Understanding and experience of the therapeutic discovery and development process, including the commercialisation and route to market.
Able to monitor strategic trends in the field and key developments that may influence strategy, approach or risk associated with the initiative.
Track record in identifying, building and maintaining strategic partnerships to deliver against a complex research, partnership and fundraising strategy.
Experience in delivering and navigating governance structures to ensure informed decision-making and appropriate escalation. Able to build effective relationships with senior and executive stakeholders internally and externally.
Understanding of the necessary legal, contractual and governance framework required to enable and operationalise complex research initiatives.
Able to work effectively with leadership across internal teams and departments to deliver on shared objectives or deliverables, and to negotiate access to support, expertise or resource for the initiative.
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?
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 quickly, fairly, and objectively.
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.
We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 0 20 3469 8400 as soon as possible.
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.