Senior Manager - Business Development

£52,000-£57,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Head of Business Development

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: 14th June 2026 23:55

Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 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 competency based interviews (second stage will consist of a presentation and interview)

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We’re looking for a motivated Senior Manager in Business Development to

provide support to the Head of Business Development. This role plays an active role in the leadership team to set the strategy for Business Development activity ensuring the team delivers against both financial and non-financial targets in current and future years across CRUK’s portfolio.

This role will initially include three direct reports with potential for growth over time. A key element of this position is providing support, coaching, guidance and setting high expectations that the team identify prospects, builds a robust pipeline and secures new opportunities.

What will I be doing?

Be a member of the senior management team, providing strategic direction for the business and cultural development of the Business Development Team in line with CRUK’s priorities and take collective responsibility for the performance of our entire product portfolio.

Devise and implement the longer-term Business Development strategy in line with CRUK priorities, setting the income and expenditure budgets for the team, maximising impact of in year and lifetime pipelines.

Lead and motivate the Business Development team to ensure a consistent approach to delivery, reporting and performance management and creating a strong team culture to drive success and high performance.

Responsible for team’s delivery and maintenance of a robust pipeline of high value and long-term opportunities, progressing through the sales stages, setting KPIs and tracking performance.

Build networks and relationships with internal and external stakeholders to influence decision makers and secure new opportunities.

Drive a culture of excellence across the Business Development team, developing the team and their knowledge of CRUK products and priorities, sharing best practice and insights to ensure an optimum supporter experience.

Work collaboratively with the Supporter Relationship Management team to deploy resource to support the development of new proposals to existing partners and seek opportunities to include Supporter Relationship Management input into new Business Development opportunities.

Ensure Business Development team is compliant with Fundraising Regulator and Charity Commission regulations, up to date with CRUK policies and procedures, and operating in line with Institute of Fundraising best practice including due diligence on prospects.

Ensure equality and diversity is celebrated and considered as part of all decisions taken.

Undertake other tasks as necessary to contribute to the Relationship Management objectives and those of Cancer Research UK.

What are we looking for?

A passion for the CRUK cause with the ability to understand CRUK’s vision, purpose, and achievements, sharing this knowledge to motivate and inspire supporters.

Significant experience of developing and implementing strategy and operating plans, making future focussed, well-informed decisions and articulating these clearly.

Experience of leading in a performance driven environment, setting, monitoring and achieving targets.

Experience of nurturing and developing talent with ability to inspire, motivate and empower a team, encouraging positive behaviours and leading by example.

Excellent relationship building, negotiating and influencing skills with internal and external stakeholders.

Experience of leading multiple projects and working in a matrix environment, taking an objective approach to prioritisation and clearly translating this to others.

Proactive, creative and strategic thinker with evidence of spotting new opportunities and giving them a try.

Significant experience of developing complex relationships including corporates, organisations and key individuals.

Knowledge of the charity sector, supporter-led fundraising and partnerships market.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Senior Manager Business Development

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