Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement (MFE) Accelerate Scheme 2024

We are now recruiting for our 2024 Accelerate Scheme!

We are offering a unique opportunity to join our emerging talent scheme, Accelerate.

The two-year rotational programme is made up of a variety of short placements within your chosen business area which will provide you with invaluable cross-organisational insight and the opportunity to develop your skills within a supportive environment. You will be joining one of the best schemes of its kind in the UK and you do not need to have started or completed a Degree to be eligible for this programme.

Are you looking for an exciting development opportunity at one of the UK’s largest health charities?

Why we need you

Cancer Research UK is the world’s largest charity dedicated to beating all types of cancer. We have an opportunity for you to join us on our Accelerate – Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement (MFE) Scheme to work in teams across the department.

This is a 2-year programme for high potential individuals who want to develop a career in the charity sector within our Marketing, Fundraising & Events area.

What will I be doing?

Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement plays a pivotal role in the work of Cancer Research UK. The role of our directorate is to make Cancer Research UK the best loved charity in the UK. We help to beat cancer by driving brand awareness, generating income and engaging our audiences. We inspire people to support our cause so that we can raise funds for our life-saving research.

Give

Supporters can give money to us to help beat cancer. This could be a one-off donation either online, in a shop, by text or in a collection bucket to name a few. It could also be a more regular commitment by setting up a direct debit donation or through payroll giving.

Do

Some supporters choose to get involved by taking part in an event or committing to do something for us. They can collect sponsorship money and raise awareness of our work. This could be anything from taking part in Race for Life or Shine Night Walk, hosting a quiz night, shaving their head or taking part in Walk All Over Cancer.

Buy

Shoppers in our stores across the country are supporting our work. Through buying new clothes, homeware, gifts or cards, these supporters are helping fund lifesaving research. We have an online store which features our new Cancer Care Range and supporters can buy lottery tickets online to play our weekly lottery. Our eBay store is also popular amongst online shoppers.

Pledge

Our Legacies team have conversations with supporters about leaving a legacy gift and support them through the process. Supporters pledge to leave CRUK a huge variety of gifts in wills, which we can use to fund our research.

Over the 2 years, this rotational scheme will give you exposure to the key areas across MFE. You will experience four different 6-month placements in areas that could include:

• Marketing: which works to make sure that we’re seen and heard
• Trading: which supports all our high street retail operations
• Partnerships: which develops relationships with organisations and their employees who wish to support us
• Product teams: which develop and deliver exciting ways for people to support us
• Insight: which works to understand and put our audience at the heart of everything we do
• Communities: which works with our supporters across the country to support their fundraising, events and volunteering

What skills are you looking for?

• Candidates who are highly motivated and enthusiastic about CRUK and MFE
• Organisation & project management skills, able to prioritise workload and complete tasks in a timely manner
• Good communication and influencing skills
• Emotional Intelligence
• Adaptability

Please note – you do not need to have started or completed a Degree to be eligible for this programme.

We’re always looking for people from a wide range of backgrounds, who can bring different perspectives, so you don’t need to have a Degree qualification or any previous charity experience to apply. Cancer is something that impacts everyone and we want our workforce to reflect the diversity of the audience we work with.

What will I gain?

This role will add real value to Cancer Research UK so we want to ensure you’re getting a lot out of it too. As a Trainee you’ll go through a structured development programme with skills training in project management, CV writing and interview skills and you’ll have a buddy to help you settle in. You’ll be eligible for many of our benefits, including flexible working, and you’ll gain key experience to help you launch your career.

How do I apply?

Please apply online by uploading your details and answering an application question. Please complete an application form for only one of the schemes.

Stage 1: Online application

Complete an online application form – you’ll be asked to answer a motivational competency question and upload your CV.

Please note, our application process is now anonymised. So please ensure you fill out all of the required fields as well as uploading a CV, as they will be collected for use later in the process.

If you experience any problems submitting an application, please email earlycareers@cancer.org.uk

Stage 2: Online Assessment – Shortly after submitting your application

If your initial application is successful, you will then be invited to complete our new situational judgment test. The test poses real life scenarios that a CRUK Trainee might be met with in their day to day role and asks how you would tackle that scenario. This is multiple choice.

Please let us know if you require any adjustments at this stage and how we can best support you.

Stage 3: Audio Submission – Approximately Jan onwards

If you are successful in the previous stage, you will be asked to complete an audio submission, answering competency-based questions. The questions will be emailed to you and you will have a few days to submit a response via an audio recording (no video required).

Stage 4: Assessment Centre 

If you are successful in the previous stage, you will then be invited to our Assessment Centre where you’ll complete a final interview with representatives from the department you are applying to.

You will receive the offer a few days after the assessment centre.

Scheme begins in September 2024.

Additional information

There’s a place for everyone at Cancer Research UK. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented, and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to beat cancer sooner.

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. We don’t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed.

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 by emailing us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.

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.