Head of Proposition - Legacies

Head of Proposition – Legacies

• Internally this role is known as Head of Pledge

24 May 2026 23:55

Interview Process: Screening calls, followed by 2 stage interview process including a task related to the role.

Visa sponsorship: Cancer Research UK can consider visa sponsorship for this vacancy. If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application.

Cancer Research UK exists to beat cancer — and our fundraising propositions are critical to making that possible.

We are seeking a Head of Proposition – Legacies to lead the end‑to‑end design, delivery and growth of one of CRUK’s most important fundraising propositions. This senior leadership role combines commercial accountability, innovation and people leadership to deliver sustainable long‑term value.

This is an opportunity to lead one of the UK charity sector’s most significant income streams. You will drive a clear proposition vision rooted in audience insight, design compelling end‑to‑end supporter experiences, and deliver growth over both the short and long term.

You will bring the credibility to lead legacy strategy with senior leaders and trustees, influencing at the highest levels while partnering across marketing, data, technology and delivery teams. Commercially astute and evidence‑led, you will strengthen performance management, forecasting and prioritisation, balancing strategic ambition with operational grip.

This is not solely a functional legacy role. It is a proposition leadership role, with Legacies as its core focus whilst playing a key part in shaping the future of Fundraising & Engagement Propositions at Cancer Research UK.

What will I be doing?

• Reshape the strategic direction and deliver sustainable growth of the Legacy proposition, defining a clear, compelling vision rooted in audience need, insight and CRUK strategy.
• Own performance and long-term value, shaping and delivering a bold, evidence led growth strategy that increases consideration, market share and the value of complex gifts across diverse audiences.
• Work with matrixed teams to design and evolve brilliant end-to-end experiences, working across channels, journeys and touchpoints to create emotionally resonant, modern supporter experiences at scale.
• Lead innovation and modernisation, using insight, testandlearn approaches and strong commercial judgement to respond to a rapidly changing wealth and fundraising landscape.
• Shape how technology enables the proposition, partnering closely across digital, data and delivery to ensure seamless, future ready journeys.
• Build and lead high performing, multidisciplinary teams, bringing together proposition, operations and specialist expertise to deliver excellence through inclusive, empowering leadership.
• Act as a visible sector leader and trusted internal partner, influencing senior stakeholders and playing an active role in the wider transformation of fundraising at Cancer Research UK.

What are we looking for?

• Experience leading a complex proposition, product or portfolio in a customer centric environment, balancing delivery today with long-term value.
• Strong commercial judgement, with the confidence to make evidence led trade-offs and prioritisation decisions.
• A deep understanding of audience behaviour, and how insight, digital capability and service design come together to create compelling end-to-end experiences.
• A compelling communicator and influencer, able to articulate vision clearly and bring diverse stakeholders with you.
• Proven leadership of large, multidisciplinary teams in complex matrixed organisations; an inclusive, inspiring leader who delivers through strong relationships.
• A strategic, future focused mindset, comfortable leading through ambiguity and change.
• Curiosity, ambition and a genuine desire to push the sector forward, not replicate what’s gone before.

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 complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.  

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, 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.