Senior Digital News Manager

Life-saving research. Trustworthy digital news. Storytelling with impact.

Senior Digital News Manager

£47,000 - £52,000 per annum + benefits

Reports to: Head of Social Media

Directorate : Policy, Information and Communications

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)

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: 31 March 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 recruitment@cancer.org.uk as soon as possible.

Recruitment process: Two competency-based interviews with an exercise

Interview date: From the week commencing 07 April 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.

Cancer Research UK's Policy, Information & Communications (PIC) directorate plays a vital role in breaking down barriers to the adoption and availability of new innovations in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and care. By leveraging their influence and expertise, they strive to support everyone affected by cancer, no matter who they are or where they live, to ensure the benefits of our research reach the public and position the UK as a global leader in cancer care, policies, and innovation. The PIC team connects with millions of people by providing high-quality information across multiple channels, including our trusted cancer news platforms.

As a Senior Manager in our Digital News team, you'll be instrumental in advancing our mission to keep the public informed and engaged with Cancer Research UK's pioneering work. Your purpose will be to lead in shaping and delivering the Digital News team's multimedia strategy, planning, editing, and commissioning. This will involve leading on:

• Overseeing the timely production of engaging and compelling content for Cancer News (Cancer Research UK's online news platform with c.150k monthly readers).

• The planning, production, and marketing of our recently, relaunched flagship podcast That Cancer Conversation (c.1,000 listeners).

• The planning and delivery of our fortnightly Cancer News e-newsletter.

• Managing ' Our Research ' website.

• Driving change and innovation by supporting the team in migrating to a new content management system (WordPress) and redesigning our Digital News websites.

This will be a varied and autonomous editorial role where you will have the opportunity to publish a variety of digital news projects and campaigns highlighting the breadth of the charity's research and policy work (such as Smokefree UK ). This is an opportunity for you to use your storytelling and digital expertise to translate complex scientific concepts into engaging content for our audiences to maximise our impact, and ultimately save lives.

If you are a Digital News, Communications, or Media professional who has managed multimedia projects, we would love for you to join our mission.

What will I be doing?

• Being a positive and professional role model and people manager for the Digital Tews team by:

  • Line managing two direct reports.

  • Setting clear expectations and driving results.

  • Mentoring and helping the team to solve problems.

  • Creating a performance-based culture aligned to Cancer Research UK's strategic objectives.

• Leading the team in creating timely digital content to keep supporters, the public, key opinion leaders, and staff informed and engaged with the charity's vision.

• Managing the planning, production, and marketing of the charity's recently re-launched podcast ( That Cancer Conversation , c.1,000 listeners).

• Collaborating with external web agencies to ensure the continuous improvement of the Cancer News site (c.150k monthly readers).

  • This will include redesigning the site to align with Cancer Research UK's refreshed branding.

• Leading on planning and sending the fortnightly Cancer News e-newsletter. Including:

  • Ensuring the timely delivery of engaging and compelling content.

  • Developing strategies for audience growth.

• Managing the ' Our Research ' website, collaborating with teams across the organisation to ensure that content is up to date and reflects the charity's research impact.

• Representing the Communications department as a 'Content Change Champion' as the website is migrated to a new content management system (WordPress).

• Managing relationships with external contractors (including a small team of freelancers) to provide ad hoc writing support for Cancer News.

• Owning the evaluation and analytics of digital news content, applying a test-and-learn approach, and reporting on the results.

• Collaborating with the Head of Social Media to establish new and creative ways to enhance Cancer Research UK's digital content impact.

• Acting as the commissioning editor for Cancer News, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and consistent messaging.

• Collaborating with teams across the organisation to create a pipeline of compelling content that highlights the breadth of the charity's research and policy work.

• Leading the development and delivery of the Digital News team's strategy and purpose.

• Acting as a source of scientific knowledge to support the department.

• Partnering with the Technology department to drive digital development and innovation on our online news channels.

• Being the key contact for the team's technology budget and external technology suppliers (e.g., Manifesto).

What are you looking for?

• Digital news, communications, or media professional who has managed multimedia projects (e.g., podcasts, websites, newsletters etc).

  • We're open to applicants with digital news and media experience from a range of industries and backgrounds, such as News, Journalism, Charity, Research, Health Comms, Science Writing etc,.

• Strong digital expertise with a user-first approach and cross-channel thinking around how a story can be told via different digital and social channels to maximise impact.

• Working knowledge of content management systems (particularly WordPress) with experience managing the redesign of webpages.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a proven ability to tell a story and translate complex scientific concepts into engaging content for lay audiences.

• An understanding of digital analytics and how to use data to evaluate media performance and apply a test-and-learn approaches.

• Strong prioritisation, organisation, and project ...