Sports Executive

SPORTS EXECUTIVE

Salary: £28,000 - £30,000 per annum pro rata

Reports to: Proposition Manager

Department: Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement

Location: Home-based anywhere in the UK (quarterly travel will be required to London, as well as events all across the UK through out the year)

Employment type: Fixed-term contract until end of April 2026

Working hours: 35 hours per week (we are open to Compressed Hours)

Closing date: Thursday 31 July 2025, 23:55

Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

Please also note: we may close this role early if we receive enough interest, therefore early application is encouraged to avoid disappointment.

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 innovative and ambitious, someone like you.

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join us as a Sports Executive. This is a unique opportunity to support a varied portfolio of high-value sporting events for Cancer Research UK including events such as the London Marathon, Great North Run, RideLondon-Essex 100 and Action Challenge Ultra Series. You will work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver events which will not only be remembered by the participants and supporters but will also raise millions of pounds to fund our lifesaving research.

This is an exciting role with varied responsibilities which will help to develop and shape their careers. There is an expectation of some evening and weekend work to support our fantastic events all over the UK, but you will be eligible for time off in lieu.

What will I be doing?

• Working with the Sports Manager, account managing and developing various high-value relationships with 3rd party event partners across the portfolio 

• Work with the sports marketing team to inform the development of the Sports Team PR and social marketing plan with particular focus on our key events

• Proposing stretching sponsorship income and recruitment targets 

• 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 briefing in social priorities

• Working in collaborate with our Event Delivery Team to support the planning and delivery of "On the day experiences", working with our operation teams and 3rd party event organisers to coordinate this.

• Managing annual cycle of each event within portfolio including managing the online registration platforms, updating event pages, opening/closing events and supporting on-the-day activities at events

• Through sector networking & tracking, establishing a solid understanding of our competitors and regularly conducting analysis that can be used to benefit the Sports Team as a whole

• Develop internal relationships with multiple teams across Cancer Research UK to maximise our internal Sports Team brand

• Play a key part in our Cancer Research UK on the day team for a number of Sports events (on weekends) nationally - such as the London Marathon, the Great North Run and other mass participantion events.

What skills are we looking for?

• Experience managing relationships with external stakeholders and influencing them in order to advance individual or organisational goals

• Ability to manage challenging stakeholders effectively

• Experience of managing website content and using CRM systems

• Experience of developing and delivering new business opportunities

• Good strategic thinking skills 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and experience working with IT databases

• Good analytical and reporting skills 

• Proven ability to manage own time effectively and can work well under pressure

• Proven ability of agreeing and meeting financial targets 

• Willing to work some unsociable hours, travelling extensively and staying away from home during the event delivery season when necessary.

What will I gain?

Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that's impressive.

In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well.

Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.

We don't forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture.

Our work - from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy - will change the world. It's exciting to be part of our team.

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 quickly, fairly and objectively.