Associate Director (Children's & Young People's Cancer Research)

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: Tuesday 30th June 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.

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

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
• 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.

What will I gain?

• A working environment that supports your wellbeing
• A generous benefits package
• A wide range of career and personal development opportunities
• High‑quality tools
• Policies and processes that enable work‑life balance, positive career steps and personal wellbeing goals
• Access to a career web page for further details on benefits

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under‑represented. We wish to see every candidate perform at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. If you need any adjustments to enable this, please inform us. Contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18.

We are the world’s leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving and improving lives with our research. We work to reduce the impact of cancer on people’s day‑to‑day lives through research, influence and information, and we hope to find a purposeful career that will empower you to grow and collaborate with like‑minded experts.