Strategy Specialist

Position: Payments Strategy Specialist
.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  therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact  or
** 0
* * 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.
** Bold innovation and leadership. £530m income. Impacting the future.
**** Payments Strategy Specialist
** Internally, this role is known as a Payments Specialist £60,000 - £65,000 (+ )
** Grade:
** P3

Reports to:

Head of Finance Operations with a matrix line into the Head of Propositions
*
* Contract:

** 18 month fixed-term contract
*
* Hours:

** Full time 35 hours per week
*
* Location:

** Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)
** 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.
** Closing date:
** 02 March 2026 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. If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact  as soon as possible.
** Recruitment process:
** Two competency-based interviews with an exercise included
** Interview date:
** From the week commencing 02/09 March 2026

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

Cancer Research UK is a large and complex organisation, raising £530m from supporters and £135m through trading in  across a wide range of income streams — from physical cash and cheques to online payments, direct debit, card payments, Open Banking and A2A. Managing this income, generously given by the public, is critical to the smooth running of our organisation, the experience we provide to supporters, and our commitment to fund life‑saving research.

To meet this responsibility, our Finance Operations and Propositions teams are delivering an ambitious Giving & Payments strategy designed to modernise our payment capabilities, maximise value, and safeguard the charity through robust security and regulatory compliance.

As a Payments Strategy Specialist, you’ll serve as our subject matter expert on payments and emerging payment technologies, playing a pivotal role in shaping and delivering this strategy and associated transformation initiatives. You’ll ensure our payment infrastructure evolves to meet the needs of our diverse supporters, partners, and suppliers.

This will involve providing strategic leadership while collaborating across the organisation to deliver hands‑on payment management, drive innovation, reduce risk, optimise savings, and unlock new opportunities for growth. You’ll also ensure our payment processes remain secure and fully compliant with all relevant regulations.

Your legacy by the end of this contract will be to have laid the foundations of a modern, secure, and future‑ready payments ecosystem that strengthens Cancer Research UK’s ability to reach our goal of beating cancer. If you’re an experienced payments leader with a proven record of…