Communications Executive (COO)

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Communications Executive (COO)

🔹 Company: Cancer Research UK (CRUK)

🔹 Location: Stratford, London

🔹 Job Type: Full-time, 6-month fixed-term contract

🔹 Category: Communications, Non-profit

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-27

🔹 Experience Level: 0-2 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (1-2 days per week in the office)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Supporting the delivery of COO's communications strategy
• Managing and improving communication channels for COO staff
• Collaborating with the Communications Manager and other colleagues
• Planning and delivering internal communications across various platforms
• Sourcing, creating, and editing high-quality, accessible content

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication skills and some experience in communications projects. It involves both independent work and collaboration with stakeholders.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Supporting the delivery of COO's communications strategy

✅ Planning and delivering internal communications on platforms including SharePoint, Yammer, email newsletters, and live events

✅ Continuously improving COO communication channels

✅ Ensuring colleagues can find answers on SharePoint and other platforms

✅ Sourcing, creating, editing, and formatting content that is of high quality, accessible, inclusive, and in line with Cancer Research UK’s brand guidelines

✅ Seeking input and approval from internal stakeholders on communications plans and content

✅ Monitoring and measuring communications performance using relevant metrics and analysing results to draw insights

✅ Providing reasonable communications support to COO departments and teams

✅ Supporting the planning and delivery of the COO Staff Away Day

✅ Taking on discrete, smaller projects within the team

✅ Deputising for the COO Communications Manager on occasion

ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning, content creation, and project management, with a focus on internal communications.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Not specified (entry-level role)

Experience: Some exposure to Communications and Audience Engagement projects (professional, academic, or voluntary setting)

Required Skills:

• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Proactive approach to problem-solving with a solutions-driven approach
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with experience building collaborative internal stakeholder relationships
• Strong attention to detail with an eye for proofreading
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including SharePoint

Preferred Skills:

• Understanding of fundamental communications theory and principles, and their application
• Ability to adapt and tailor content and messages for varied audiences

ASSUMPTION: While some experience in communications projects is required, the role is designed to be accessible to entry-level candidates with strong transferable skills.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £25,000 - £29,000 per year (+ benefits)

Benefits:

• Generous benefits package
• Wide range of career and personal development opportunities
• High-quality tools and wellbeing support

Working Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is competitive for an entry-level role in the non-profit sector in the UK. Benefits are comprehensive and designed to support employee wellbeing and career development.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence, and information. They focus on cancer research, fundraising, volunteering, and charity events.

Company Size: Cancer Research UK has 1,001-5,000 employees, making it a large organisation with significant resources and impact.

Founded: Cancer Research UK was founded in 2002 through the merger of the Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund.

Company Description:

• Cancer Research UK is the world's leading charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence, and information.
• They carry out scientific research to help prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer.
• Their work is funded almost entirely by the general public.

Company Specialties:

• Cancer research
• Fundraising
• Volunteering
• Charity events

Company Website: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org

ASSUMPTION: Cancer Research UK is a well-established, large charity with a significant impact on cancer research and awareness. They offer a supportive work environment with opportunities for career growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Entry-level to mid-level, with opportunities for growth and development

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Communications Manager (COO)

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 1-2 days per week in the office

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to take on more responsibilities and projects within the team
• Opportunities to learn and develop communications skills and knowledge
• Possibility to progress to more senior roles within the Communications team or the wider organisation

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a good starting point for a career in communications, with opportunities for growth and development within the organisation.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern office with collaborative workspaces

Office Location(s): 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ, GB

Geographic Context:

• The office is located in Stratford, East London, with good transport links
• The area is undergoing significant regeneration and offers a mix of urban and green spaces
• There are plenty of amenities, shops, and restaurants nearby

Work Schedule: Full-time, 35 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements available

ASSUMPTION: The office environment is modern and collaborative, with good transport links and nearby amenities. The work schedule is flexible, allowing for a healthy work-life balance.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application with work history section completed
• One competency-based interview with an exercise

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills, both written and verbal
• Problem-solving and creative thinking
• Organisational skills and time management
• Interpersonal skills and stakeholder management

Application Tips:

• Tailor your application to highlight relevant skills and experiences
• Provide specific examples of your communications projects and achievements
• Demonstrate your understanding of Cancer Research UK's mission and values

ATS Keywords: Communications, Audience Engagement, Project Management, Stakeholder Management, Content Creation, Internal Communications, SharePoint, Yammer, Email Newsletters, Live Events

ASSUMPTION: The application process is designed to assess candidates' communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit with the organisation. The interview focuses on competency-based questions and an exercise to evaluate these skills.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• SharePoint
• Yammer
• Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Campaign Monitor)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: The role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office, with a focus on SharePoint for internal communications. Other tools and technologies may be used depending on the specific projects and tasks.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• 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

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and focused on delivering impact
• Adaptable and responsive to change

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a proactive approach to problem-solving and a solutions-driven mindset?
• Are you comfortable working both independently and collaboratively as part of a team?
• Do you have strong interpersonal skills and experience building collaborative internal stakeholder relationships?

ASSUMPTION: Cancer Research UK values a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment. Candidates should be able to demonstrate alignment with these values and a willingness to contribute to a supportive and engaging team culture.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously, requiring strong organisational skills and time management
• There may be a need to balance internal communications with other responsibilities, requiring adaptability and prioritisation skills
• The role may involve occasional deputising for the COO Communications Manager, requiring flexibility and availability
• The office is located in East London, which may not be convenient for all candidates

ASSUMPTION: While the role offers a range of opportunities and challenges, it requires strong organisational skills, adaptability, and a willingness to take on new responsibilities as needed.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other Communications Executive or Coordinator positions within non-profit organisations
• However, it offers a unique opportunity to work within a large, well-established charity with a significant impact on cancer research and awareness
• Career progression may involve moving into more senior communications roles or exploring other areas of the organisation

ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other communications executive positions, it offers a unique opportunity to work within a large charity with a significant impact on cancer research and awareness.

📝 Sample Projects

• Planning and delivering the COO Staff Away Day, including logistics, content creation, and stakeholder management
• Developing and implementing a communications strategy for a new COO initiative or project
• Creating and maintaining an internal communications calendar to ensure timely and relevant content delivery

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities available within this role, from event planning and logistics to strategic communications and content creation.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30 days?
• How does this role fit into the wider Communications team and the organisation's overall communications strategy?
• What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and the organisation?
• How does the team collaborate and support each other in achieving our shared goals?
• What is the team's approach to work-life balance and flexible working arrangements?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions help candidates understand the role's priorities, fit within the organisation, and opportunities for growth and development. They also provide insight into the team's dynamics and work-life balance.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your application to highlight relevant skills and experiences, with a focus on communications projects and achievements
• Prepare for a competency-based interview with an exercise, focusing on communication skills, problem-solving, and stakeholder management
• If invited for an interview, be prepared to discuss your understanding of Cancer Research UK's mission and values
• Follow up with the recruitment team after your interview to express your interest in the role and ask any remaining questions

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.