Smooth operations. Delivering at a fast pace. Impacting the future.

Lead Business Operations Manager

Internally, this role is known as Lead Supplier Performance Manager

£53,500 - £58,500 (+ Benefits)

Grade: P3

Reports to: Head of Business Operations & Delivery (Technology)

Contract: Fixed-term contract ending 27 February 2027

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

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

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.

External Closing date: 06 April 2026, 23:55

Internal Closing date: 13 April 2026, 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 recruitment@cancer.org.uk as soon as possible.

Recruitment process: One competency-based interview with an exercise

Interview date: From the week commencing 20 April 2026 (we will be shortlisting on a rolling basis, so please do not delay in applying)

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.

Cancer Research UK’s Technology team are essential to delivering ambitious, modern change initiatives and programmes across the organisation. Our purpose is to ensure we maximise resource value while driving operational transformation that enables us to be an inclusive, engaging, well-governed, agile, and sustainable organisation for our employees and supporters. This involves delivering and leading projects to drive change across a range of products and services used by 4,000+ staff, 600+ shops, and thousands of supporters.

The Business Operations team plays an important role in this mission by providing transparency and expert advice on portfolio, budget, finance, supplier, and resource management to ensure the successful delivery of projects across the Technology directorate. This involves ensuring that Technology has the right processes, tools, and insights to deliver better outcomes more quickly and efficiently, while facilitating data-driven, informed decision-making, and ensuring Technology has the right resources and investment to deliver value across the charity.

As Lead Business Operations Manager, you will drive operational excellence across the Technology function by ensuring seamless service delivery and an outstanding user experience through effective leadership of the Business Operations team. Collaborating closely with the Lead PMO Manager, you will ensure service levels are consistently met while championing business management best practices across Technology and the wider organisation. You’ll collaborate with operational teams to manage supplier performance and align business operations with Cancer Research UK’s strategic goals. Additionally, you’ll play a key role in identifying, implementing, and enhancing frameworks, processes, and tools to maximise efficiency and value across the team.

If you have a business management and operations background with experience managing internal and external relationships and driving continuous improvement in large, complex organisations, we’d love for you to join our mission.

What will I be doing?

Partnering with the Lead Project Management Office (PMO) Manager to lead and develop a high-performing Technology Business Operations team.
- This involves ensuring the team is empowered and supported to achieve their objectives, meet agreed service levels, and deliver a seamless experience for colleagues.
Building and maintaining strong working relationships with senior stakeholders across Technology and Cancer Research UK to foster collaboration and drive continuous improvements.
Partnering with other Chief Operating Office (COO) and Chief Finance Office (CFO) functions (including Legal, Procurement, Transformation Management Office [TMO]) to develop and embed business management frameworks, best practices, and robust and effective end-to-end processes.
Collaborating with Procurement and Legal to ensure alignment on strategic priorities.
Leading on supplier relationship management across Technology, applying centralised best practice frameworks. This involves:
- Tailoring and embedding these practices within Technology to ensure consistent and effective engagement.
- Supporting colleagues to drive improvements in supplier performance and maximise ROI on supplier spend.
Acting as a point of escalation to resolve any supplier performance issues and managing engagement with Procurement and Legal when necessary.
Support the Head of Business Operations & Delivery in driving financial planning and reporting processes.

What skills will I need?

Operations background with business and performance management experience in large, complex organisations.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills with experience building credible, collaborative, and engaging internal and external stakeholder relationships at a senior level.
Has a continuous improvement mindset for identifying, implementing, and capitalising on improvement opportunities, encouraging innovation, and promoting best practices.
Strong organisational and prioritisation skills with a successful track record of planning strategically, managing conflicting priorities, and navigating change while adhering to deadlines.
A proactive approach to problem-solving with a solutions-driven approach and an ability to think analytically.
Some experience and knowledge of managing supplier relationships and performance.
Some experience in either direct line or matrix management, or supporting more junior members of a team, with the ability to lead, empower, and coach cross-functional teams.

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.

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.

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Jobs

Lead Business Operations Manager