Cancer Research UK
Senior Project Manager (Technology)
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Senior Project Manager (Technology)
£54,000-£64,000 plus benefits
Grade: P3
Reports to: PM capability Lead
Directorate: COO/Technology
Contract: Fixed Term Contract – 6 Months
Hours: Full -Time 35 hours per week
Location: Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)
External Closing date: 22 July 2026 23:55
Internal Closing date: 29 July 2026 23:55
Recruitment Process
- Screening call
- 1 stage competency-based interview
Interview dates:
- Screening calls: W/C 27th July 2026
- Interview: W/C 3rd August 2026
Summary of the Role’s Main Purpose
We are looking for a Senior Project Manager to coordinate and manage early-stage initiatives across the Scientific Research and Innovation space. Working closely with Scientific Research teams, Product Managers, Platform Managers and Technology teams, the role will provide the structure, governance and delivery leadership needed to take initiatives from concept through to recommendation, further testing, production readiness or closure. The successful candidate will ensure pilots are aligned to organisational priorities, have clear success measures and governance in place, and generate meaningful insights that can inform future investment and roadmap decisions.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead the delivery and coordination of early-stage pilots & PoCs across the Research and Innovation portfolio, from inception through to closure, further testing or transition into production.
- Establish clear project structure and governance, including purpose, scope, expected value, success measures, exit criteria, decision-making frameworks and risk management approaches.
- Work with Research Teams, Product Managers, Platform Managers and Technology teams to define delivery approaches and next-stage recommendations.
- Support teams in navigating and complying with relevant governance processes, including AI governance, safety reviews, technical design authority approvals, change governance and budget approvals.
- Produce and embed effective reporting and communication methods to track progress, outcomes, risks and decisions.
- Support the development of recommendations, investment cases and business cases where required.
- Identify and manage dependencies, risks and opportunities across multiple pilots and workstreams.
- Work with Product Managers and Research teams to identify alignment across initiatives and opportunities to contribute to wider Core Purpose and Technology roadmaps.
- Manage the transition and handover of successful pilots to Product, Platform or operational teams as appropriate.
Key Technical Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours
- Significant project management experience leading technology, digital, data or AI-related initiatives.
- Experience working in environments involving emerging technologies, innovation programmes or experimentation initiatives.
- Experience working with agile delivery approaches and cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrable experience of planning, structuring and delivering work in ambiguous or evolving environments, bringing clarity and momentum where objectives, requirements or outcomes are still emerging.
- Strong understanding of project governance, risk management, business case development and investment decision-making.
- Proven ability to manage budgets, forecasting and resource planning.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across research, technology and business teams.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Confident facilitator, able to bring together diverse stakeholders to drive clarity, alignment and decision-making.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and make pragmatic decisions.
- Curious and proactive, able to identify risks, gaps and opportunities before they become issues.
- Action-oriented, adaptable and comfortable operating in evolving or ambiguous environments.
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Our Organisation Values
- 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.
Internal 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.
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Additional Information
For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk. For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on:
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 020 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.
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.
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