Sustainability Programme Manager

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk as soon as possible.

Recruitment process: Two competency-based interviews

Interview date: From the week commencing 05 May 2025

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 fully complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

In May 2024, Cancer Research UK was proud to publish our first Environmental Sustainability Strategy. As the UK’s largest charity, our ambition is to be operationally leading on environmental sustainability in the UK charity sector whilst achieving our mission to beat cancer. To do so, we need to take bold action to reduce our carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

As a Sustainability Programme Manager, you will be essential to implementing our Sustainability Strategy. This will involve enabling the delivery of our sustainability objectives by developing, tracking, and project managing a coherent delivery plan involving a diverse range of projects & workstreams across the charity (this includes but is not limited to our carbon roadmap, , EDI, and other sustainability initiatives across functions such as Procurement, Facilities, Scientific Research & Innovation, Retail & Buying).

This is an opportunity for you to drive sustainable, impactful, bold, and measurable change in the UK’s largest charity. If you are a Sustainability professional who has led and project managed Sustainability programmes in large organisations, we’d love for you to join our mission.

What will I be doing?

• Collaborating with the Sustainability & ESG Lead to establish and implement a framework to successfully deliver Cancer Research UK’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy in line with agreed success measures.
• Managing the implementation of sustainability initiatives by developing and refining project plans and establishing timelines and deliverables.
• Driving environmental efficiency and social initiatives across the organisation.
• Supporting the Sustainability & ESG Lead in delivering Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies and reporting.
  • This includes supporting the delivery of our Annual Report and Modern Slavery Statement.
• Partnering with key internal stakeholders and teams across the charity to improve and implement sustainable internal processes (including but not limited to: Procurement, Facilities, Scientific Research & Innovation, Retail & Buying, Fundraising, and Online Marketing).
• Preparing reporting materials and participating in governance sessions to ensure all stakeholders are adequately informed on progress, risks, and escalations.
• Building and maintaining constructive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborating with Communications teams to deliver accurate, timely, and sensitive communications about the Sustainability strategy, its deliverables, and progress.
• Ensuring equality and diversity are celebrated and considered as part of all decisions taken.

What skills will I need?

• Experienced Sustainability professional who has led, driven, and project managed the delivery of Sustainability programmes in large, complex organisations (c.4,000+ headcount).
• Has built credible, collaborative, and engaging internal and external stakeholder relationships with clear communication and experience influencing and negotiating at all levels (including senior stakeholders and leadership).
• Excellent internal and external stakeholder management with demonstrable interpersonal, communication, influencing, and negotiating skills across all levels (including senior stakeholders and leadership).
• Has run and delivered cross-organisational delivery processes and reporting across a diverse portfolio of projects, workstreams, and initiatives (e.g., sustainability topics, EDI, procurement, modern slavery, etc.).
• Excellent prioritisation, organisational, and project management skills, with demonstrated success in simultaneously managing multiple projects and delivering to deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Achievement and action-oriented with the ability to be a resilient and bold advocate for change, proactively take initiative, navigate ambiguity, and drive action in self and others.

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.

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: LinkedIn, 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.