Head of Health Information

4,000 professionals, 0 days wasted, 1 incredible purpose. Together we are beating cancer.

Head of Health Information

Salary: £75,000-£85,000pa depending on experience

Reports to: Director of Information and Involvement

Department: Policy, Information and Communications

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week (other flexible-working requests will also be considered if it meets business needs)

Location: Stratford, London with high flexibility (we would expect you to be in the office 1-2 days per week)

Closing date: Sunday 6th October at 23.55. This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That's why we're looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Health Information to join us to provide strategic oversight and management of Cancer Research UK's (CRUK) health information to the public, covering cancer prevention, screening and diagnosis. The team is one of a number at CRUK that reviews and synthesises evidence, differing in terms of their audience focus and/or topic focus. The successful candidate will need to work closely with their peers to ensure that CRUK has the maximum impact across all their audiences to improve cancer outcomes.

About the team

The Health Information team work to inform and engage the public with information on cancer prevention, early diagnosis and screening. We do this using evidence and look for opportunities to reach those who need it most. We use our knowledge and communications expertise to guide and shape activity across the charity including policy, partnerships and fundraising.

What will I be doing?

• Oversee the provision of high quality, accessible and evidence-based health information including maintaining a good understanding of best practice

• Provide strategic direction for CRUK's health information priority topics to maximise impact across public facing channels including but not limited to health marketing, communications and partnerships

• Act as a senior subject matter expert on health information and use of evidence, advising senior internal and external stakeholders (Executive Board, other charities, researchers)

• Act as a senior media spokesperson and provide expert sign-off for health information content used in a range of external channels (including press and policy influencing)

• Provide functional leadership to the health information team, ensuring that their time is prioritised effectively to focus on the areas of greatest impact - including balancing proactive workload and support for other teams.

• Responsible for managing the team budgets to ensure activity and services are delivered in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

• Build effective relationships with other evidence teams and policy to minimise duplication of effort, ensure consistency of messaging, and maximise our impact on a range of topics in support of CRUK and PIC's wider influencing and engagement strategy

What skills are we looking for?

• Excellent judgement of sound research methods, ability to critically appraise qualitative and quantitative evidence and research

• Experience in translation of evidence into targeted, relevant and accessible public information

• A good understanding of either cancer prevention or early detection with the ability to develop expertise in both of these areas

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to effectively manage and motivate a team, and prioritise workload in a complex matrix environment

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to sign off health information positions and represent this internally and externally

• Experience of setting strategies and overall team direction that align with department and organisation objectives

• Ability to balance risks and opportunities and advise peers and senior stakeholders appropriately in decision making.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build consensus and instil confidence and credibility of advice and decision making with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to constructively challenge and push back, whilst maintaining good working relationships

• Proven understanding of digital technologies used in content and marketing and the ability to keep abreast of the digital landscape, innovation and application of new initiatives, tools and techniques

• Experience of setting and managing budgets.

• Passionate about leading high performing, empowered, inclusive and diverse teams which represent the communities and people living with and affected by cancer.

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.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provides 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 .

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 quickly, fairly, and objectively.

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Please note: 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.