Cancer Research UK
Agency Operations Lead
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Agency Operations Lead
£62,000 - £67,000 plus benefits
Reports to: Head of Brand & Marketing
Planning
Directorate: Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement
Contract: 12 month fixed-term contract
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London
Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: 19th July 2026 23:55
This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk as soon as possible.
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 date: TBC
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We’re looking for a highly organised and strategic Agency Operations Lead to join Cancer Research UK’s Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement directorate.
In this role, you’ll sit at the centre of our marketing operations, acting as the single front door for all marketing briefs and ensuring work is routed efficiently, delivered to standard and aligned to our priorities.
Working in a dynamic and evolving environment, you’ll help shape how marketing demand flows across the organisation, balancing capacity, improving ways of working and enabling teams to deliver their best work. No two days will be the same, whether you’re refining briefing processes, managing workflow or partnering with teams across CRUK. You’ll be part of a passionate team, united by a shared ambition to beat cancer, and your role will be critical in ensuring our marketing efforts deliver real impact.
What will I be doing?
- Acting as the single intake point for all marketing briefs, ensuring every piece of work follows a consistent process
- Setting and enforcing high standards for brief quality, challenging and refining submissions before work begins
- Triaging and routing work across delivery channels (agencies, in-house teams, and specialist partners) based on complexity, cost and capacity
- Managing and forecasting demand across the marketing portfolio, balancing capacity and proactively addressing delivery risks
- Tracking workflow and throughput, maintaining clear visibility of progress, timelines and delivery performance
- Continuously improving processes, tools and ways of working to optimise the end-to-end marketing operating model
- Attending on site agency meetings in and around the London area.
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What are we looking for?
- Strong experience in marketing operations, creative operations or agency/project management within a complex organisation
- Proven ability to manage intake, workflow and prioritisation across multiple marketing disciplines (e.g. digital, CRM, brand, content)
- Excellent briefing skills, with the confidence to challenge stakeholders and improve brief quality
- Strong organisational and project management capability, with experience of workflow tools and capacity planning
- Ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders across teams and external partners
- Commercial awareness and sound judgement to make routing decisions based on value, speed and capability
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.
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.
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For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
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.
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.
We don’t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed. 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 by emailing us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.
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.
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. Find the career you're looking for and let’s change lives together.
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