Cancer Research UK
Associate Director (Children's & Young People's Cancer Research)
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Associate Director (Children’s and Young People’s Cancer Research)
Directorate: Research & Innovation
Contract: Permanent
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: Sunday 12th July 2026
Visa sponsorship: Cancer Research UK can consider visa sponsorship for this vacancy. If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We’re looking for an exceptional and ambitious strategic leader to shape the future of children and young people’s cancer research. This is a high-profile role leading a priority portfolio at scale — driving forward bold, transformative plans to transform outcomes, with a focus on better, kinder treatments. You’ll build powerful partnerships, influence globally, and bring together science, funding and collaboration to accelerate progress for young patients.
What will I be doing?
- Lead the development and delivery of a bold, long-term strategy for Children & Young People (CYP) cancer research, positioning it as a major organisational priority
- Build and secure high-value partnerships and funding, growing income to support our ambitions
- Shape and oversee a complex research portfolio spanning discovery through to clinical impact
- Act as a senior external ambassador, building influential relationships with global funders, researchers, clinicians and partners
- Drive a step-change in strategic collaboration, including consortia-building and new partnership models in paediatric research
- Lead, inspire and develop a multidisciplinary team, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What are we looking for?
- A highly strategic leader with experience delivering large-scale, complex research or innovation portfolios
- Strong track record of building and securing major partnerships, funding, or philanthropic investment that have delivered impact
- Deep credibility in the research landscape (ideally oncology, paediatrics, or translational science)
- Proven ability to operate externally at senior level, influencing and building global relationships
- Experience creating and delivering ambitious strategies from the ground up
- A collaborative, inclusive leadership style with the ability to inspire teams and stakeholders
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.
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.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
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.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location