Volunteering Operations Senior Executive

Operations Senior Executive

(This role internally is known as Volunteering Operations Senior Executive)

£32,000 – £35,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Volunteering Operations Manager

Directorate: Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement

Contract: 12 month fixed-term contract

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location:   Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Closing date: 17th November 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 [email protected] 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: competency based interview with a task and a potential second stage interview (if required)

Interview date: week commencing 23rd November

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We're looking for a highly organised and proactive Operations Senior Executive to play a key role in delivering operational excellence across our Volunteer Proposition. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on improving processes, managing systems, analysing data, and working collaboratively with stakeholders to create a seamless volunteer experience.

Supporting the Volunteering Operations Manager and junior members of the team, you'll help ensure the stability, effectiveness, and future growth of our volunteering proposition by implementing and optimising processes, systems, and ways of working that support both volunteers and volunteer managers.

What will I be doing?

- Partner with colleagues across the Volunteer Proposition and wider organisation to deliver a consistent and positive volunteer experience.
- Lead the development, improvement and implementation of operational processes, guidance and documentation, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Manage department inboxes and operational queries, identifying trends and recommending improvements.
- Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of key systems and platforms including Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Siebel, Jotform and Contentful
- Lead and support a variety of projects, ensuring milestones are achieved and stakeholders remain engaged throughout.
- Analyse operational data and produce insightful reports and presentations that inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with operational colleagues to ensure smooth day-to-day delivery of volunteering operations, including providing cover for key operational activities when required.
- Support and guide colleagues, acting as a positive role model within the team and contributing to a collaborative, inclusive working environment.
- Build a strong understanding of all areas within the Volunteer Proposition to support cross-functional working.
- Ensure compliance with relevant volunteering legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

What are we looking for?

- Experience managing or supporting the implementation of systems, processes, or operational improvements.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
- Excellent problem-solving abilities and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
- Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
- Experience supporting or providing guidance to colleagues and team members.
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work.
- The ability to adapt and remain effective in a fast-changing environment.
- A collaborative mindset and a genuine commitment to team success.
- Strong self-awareness and a desire to continually learn and develop.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, with advanced Excel skills desirable.

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:

o   completed their getting started period

o   discussed their intention to apply and gained approval to apply with their line manager

o   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.

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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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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 [email protected] .

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 [email protected] or 0 20 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.