Overview
Events assistants (insert location)
Salary £13.80 per hour + benefits
Reports to: Events Manager
Department: Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement
Contract: 4 x Casual contracts (Scotland); 2 x Casual contracts (North East). May to October 2026
Hours: Shift times will vary depending on the size and type of event. Events take place between May and October and our events assistants work 6-8 events across that period with shifts between 7-12 hours.
Location: Covering Scotland from the central belt, up to Inverness and Aberdeen, Belfast, Carlisle and the North East of England from Newcastle down to Middlesbrough and Darlington.
Closing date: 28 January 2026 23:55
Interview date: Week commencing 23 February 2026 (invites sent 16 February)
Training date: Compulsory paid training on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 April 2025, in Yarnfield, Staffordshire with travel, accommodation and food included.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We are looking for passionate events assistants to work in Cancer Research UK's Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement team. You’ll be acting as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK, supporting the delivery of our events season including Race for Life, Pretty Muddy, Big Hike and Shine Night Walk. There will also be opportunities to work at third-party sports events such as the London Marathon, Manchester Marathon, Royal Parks Half Marathon and many others.
In a lively, vibrant working environment, you'll discover something new every day, whether it's a new course, a new community or a talent you never knew you had. You’ll also be surrounded by people who are as dedicated to beating cancer as you are.
You can learn more about our fantastic teams on our event opportunities. Click here
What will I be doing?
* Supporting the event manager in the delivery of large-scale and logistically complex events.
* Managing a large and diverse team of volunteers.
* Taking responsibility in a key role at events as Course, Obstacle or Merchandise Manager or covering Start/Finish and Site management.
* Manage operational responsibilities including setting up and dismantling equipment ensuring health and safety guidelines are prioritised.
* Providing support and encouragement to Cancer Research UK participants at cheer points or post-event support at regional third-party sports events.
What skills are you looking for?
* A passion for events.
* Adaptability to changing situations with the ability to work on your own initiative.
* The ability to solve problems and respond to opportunities and challenges.
* Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with a range of people.
* Confidence to represent Cancer Research UK publicly.
* Good organisation and prioritisation skills.
* Resilience and reliability to remain calm under pressure and consistently deliver high-quality results.
* Physical role: you will spend 7-12 hours on Event Day, unloading equipment, putting up marquees and moving boxes around the site; activity includes standing for long periods.
What else do I need to know?
* This role mostly takes place on weekends and can fit around other jobs or studies.
* We work in all weather conditions; shifts include some night-time events.
* We work across 5 geographical divisions in the North and South. Apply to the division where you live and travel within that division to cover events. Most events include an overnight stay.
* Travel and accommodation are booked and paid for. Driving or access to a car is not required but can be helpful in some circumstances.
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 embody these values and drive progress against our mission to beat cancer.
What will I gain?
Each employee contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We offer a generous benefits package, opportunities for career and personal development, and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well. Our benefits include a substantial retirement plan, a generous leave allowance, discounts on travel and technology, gym membership, and more. We support a flexible working culture.
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 view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, please complete the work history section of the online application to allow us to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively. For more information please visit our website or contact us. For updates on our work and careers, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
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