JOB DESCRIPTION

Hundreds of inspiring events. Millions of pounds raised. One clear purpose.  

Senior Sports Executive

£33,000 – £36,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Propositions Manager

Grade: P2

Directorate: ​Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement​

Contract: ​12 month fixed-term contract​

Hours: ​Full time 35 hours per week​

Location: ​Homebased (1-2 days per month in the office in London, Stratford)​

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.

Closing date: Sunday 23.11.2025, 23:55

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 [email protected] as soon as possible.

Recruitment process: 1 stage competency interview

Interview date: Week commencing 1 December 2025

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. ​

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join us as a Senior Sports Executive. In this role, you’ll be responsible for managing a large portfolio of high-value relationships with external running, swimming, cycling, triathlon and obstacle course event organisers. Working with the Product Manager you’ll be maximising income from these partnerships, overseeing the recruitment of participants to ensure all places are filled and working with Marketing to optimise participants’ supporter journeys. Within this role, you’ll also be responsible for looking for business development opportunities that support both the team and Cancer Research UK’s goals.

What will I be doing?

• Working with the Product Manager to account manage and develop various high-value relationships with 3rd party event partners across the portfolio ensuring that we hit our income goals by achieving participation targets

• Pitching externally for new or renewal business, including completing applications and/or meeting event organisers in person

• Building networks with event organisers and key partners within the Sports sector

• Building knowledge, relationships and stewarding key internal relationships to maximise the value we get out of our partnerships

• Responsible for creating and managing Sports Team web pages and social media pages and producing innovative and bespoke content that is user friendly across all devices and that drives engagement and participation

• Attending on-the-day of events to steward key participants and event partners

• Working with our Event Delivery on key events to plan on-the-day activity and activations

• Taking responsibility for ensuring targets (participation and financial) are fulfilled for your accounts, working with event organisers to improve performance as needed

• Supporting in the delivery of the whole Events Portfolio when required.

What are we looking for?

• Proven experience in revenue generation and/or target driven environment, with demonstrable experience in working proactively to achieve/exceed targets.

• Significant experience in account management/managing relationships with external partners.

• Relevant experience in negotiating contract terms and finalising legal agreements

• Ability to show strategic thinking

• Ability to manage own time and workload effectively and proactively prioritise work to meet deadlines.

• Knowledge of digital products used in mass participation events and how to integrate them across different platforms

• A working knowledge of IT systems including purchase order systems, databases, Microsoft office

• Willing to work some unsociable hours, travelling extensively and staying away from home during the event delivery season when necessary. Time off in-lieu will be offered where applicable.

• Accuracy and attention to detail.

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.

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.

Additional information

For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us at [email protected].

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.

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 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.