Overview
Diverse disciplines. Varied challenges. One unique opportunity.
Organisational Development Specialist x 2
Salary: £37,000 - £40,000 per annum plus benefits
Reports to: Head of Organisational Development
Directorate: Chief Operating Office, Human Resources
Working hours: Permanent, 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London w/ high-flex (1 – 2 days per week in the office)
Closing date: 1 February 2026, 23:55
Recruitment Process: 1 stage Competency and technical based interview.
Interviews: From 10 February 2026
Please let us know if there were any reasonable adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk.
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.
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.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. At Cancer Research UK, every role plays a part in our mission to beat cancer sooner—and as an Organisational Development Specialist, you’ll help shape the way we work so we can achieve even more together. You’ll turn big ideas and strategic priorities into practical changes that make a real difference to how our teams collaborate, lead, and perform. This is your chance to bring your expertise to an organisation united by a powerful purpose and committed to creating an inclusive, high-performing workplace. There are 2 newly created positions, and at least one of the appointments will require proven retail experience to support our Trading function (along with the wider organisation).
Responsibilities
* Collaborate and consult: Work closely with HR Business Partners and Centres of Expertise to scope projects clearly—agreeing outcomes, timelines, and success measures so everyone’s aligned from the start.
* Diagnose challenges: Use structured methods like interviews, workshops, and data analysis to uncover what’s really going on—whether it’s leadership, team dynamics, culture, or ways of working.
* Shape solutions: Turn insights into clear, practical options and recommendations that help stakeholders make informed decisions and feel ownership of the change.
* Co-design interventions: Create scalable, inclusive OD solutions that strengthen leadership, team effectiveness, and change enablement—always grounded in our Centre of Expertise standards.
* Deliver impact: Facilitate interventions as part of a flexible consulting pool, adapting in real time while staying focused on agreed outcomes.
* Embed new ways of working: Partner with Organisational Effectiveness and Leadership & Talent teams to make change stick through practical tools and guidance.
* Measure and learn: Evaluate impact using defined measures and feedback loops, turning insights into actionable next steps and sharing learnings widely.
* Build trusted relationships: Become a credible, evidence-based advisor who understands CRUK’s context and influences change that lasts.
* Champion inclusion and ethics: Ensure fairness, accessibility, and confidentiality in everything you do.
And, of course, you’ll be committed to our mission to beat cancer sooner, bringing your expertise to help us create a workplace that reflects our values and ambition.
What are we looking for?
You’ll bring expertise, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit to help us make change that matters. Here’s what we hope you’ll bring:
* OD consulting know-how: A strong track record in diagnosing organisational challenges and framing clear, evidence-based options for leaders and teams.
* Team effectiveness skills: Confidence in reading group dynamics, clarifying roles and decision paths, and facilitating high-stakes sessions with psychological safety and constructive challenge.
* Culture and behaviour change expertise: Ability to turn desired leadership and management behaviours into simple, practical routines that stick.
* Systems thinking: A knack for simplifying processes and anticipating digital implications, ensuring changes are feasible and sustainable.
* Data-driven insight: Comfort with mixed-method diagnostics and evaluation—setting baselines, interpreting results, and translating insights into action.
* Change adoption and enablement: Experience planning adoption activities, coaching stakeholders, and evidencing uptake and outcomes.
* Influence and communication: Credibility with senior leaders and a talent for concise, decision-focused storytelling that explains options and trade-offs.
* Inclusive practice: A commitment to equity, accessibility, and ethical standards in everything you design and deliver.
* Consulting in a matrix: Ability to scope manageable workstreams, coordinate cross-functional partners, and maintain pace and quality without direct authority.
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.
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 0 20 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 & safeguarding risks.
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