Area Events Manager and South East England

Overview

20+ years of Race for Life. 8 million participants. £547m+ raised.

Area Events Manager - London and South East of England

£27,000 - £31,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Divisional Event Manager

Directorate: Marketing, Fundraising & Engagement

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Location Home-based areas of work will be within London, Sussex, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire.

Closing date: Sunday 22 March 2026 23:55

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

If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact as soon as possible.

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.

Recruitment process: 1 stage Competency based interview

Interview date
:
From Friday 27 March 2026

The successful candidate must be able to attend compulsory training on 14/15th April in Stafford

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 shares our vision, someone like you.

Do you want to create moments of joy and hope, raise vital funds, celebrate and educate by producing top class events for the UK’s largest charity?

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join us as an Area Event Manager and become part of an ambitious, bold and fun team working together to bring forward the day that cancer is cured.

You will organise and deliver Cancer Research UK events, including our flagship outdoor mass participation events Race for Life 5km, 10km and Pretty Muddy. You may also deliver Shine Night Walk, indoor staff and supporter conference and engagement events, as well as virtual online events. Although the focus of this role is delivering our events, the majority of the role will see you work from home approx.

75 percent of your week with 25 percent out in the field.

Our team has raised circa 26 million pounds so far this year through mass participation events. We are looking for someone passionate about our cause to continue this success.

You will plan and deliver Cancer Research UK events. Your main delivery will be outdoor mass participation events alongside some staff and supporter conferences and engagement events, as well as virtual online events.

• Venue Research - find and assess suitability of new venues for mass participation outdoor events and indoor events. This also includes building strong relationships to negotiate event approval and costs.
• Suppliers - research, negotiate, book, plan, brief and ensure high standards are met. Suppliers include PA, first aid, caterers, florists, traffic management and stewards.
• Volunteers - build relationships with longstanding volunteers and recruit new volunteers. Manage volunteer welfare and experience on event day.
• Event Staff - brief staff on their role and manage them throughout the event offering feedback and coaching.
• Supporter experience - ensure that events are fun and enjoyable by booking entertainment and overseeing the supporter experience.
• Event day - lead and manage your event team (staff, volunteers, suppliers) to set up the event site and course, oversee welfare of supporters and team and deal with issues that may arise to ensure smooth operation of the event.
• After the event - gather feedback and complete post-event administrative tasks.

• Passion for events.
• People person with great interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships.
• Organised and ability to multitask.
• Proactive with a can do attitude.
• Proven problem solving skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and self-motivate.
• Ability to lead and motivate a group of people.
• Happy to work…