Programme Director – AI Strategy & Implementation

9-month interim – day rate contractor

Day Rate: £800-£1000 per day

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 innovative and ambitious, someone like you.​ As Programme Director you will lead our AI implementation programme – a key element of CRUKs long-term growth strategy.

CRUK is embracing Artificial Intelligence as a transformative capability to accelerate our mission and deliver significant organisational impact. From Generative AI and Agentic AI to machine learning, these technologies will enable us to improve operational efficiency, enhance scientific breakthroughs, and create more personalised supporter experiences.

This role will focus on embedding AI capabilities across CRUK’s fundraising, cancer intelligence and information, and organisational operations—driving improvements in supporter experience, enabling better cancer outcomes through smarter use of data, and enhancing internal processes. It will ensure alignment with our culture and strategy while championing AI literacy, fostering collaboration, and ensuring ethical and inclusive implementation. This role will not be responsible for the delivery of our AI-based cancer research, which will be primarily delivered through extramural grant funding activity.

This is an exciting opportunity to join CRUK at the forefront of innovation and help shape how AI revolutionises the way we work and the impact we make..

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver CRUK’s AI transformation roadmap, ensuring alignment with organisational mission and strategic goals.

• Lead programme delivery and governance, balancing time, cost, quality, and scope while ensuring ethical, legal, and financial compliance.

• Build and champion an AI Centre of Excellence, fostering a culture of experimentation and scaling successful AI initiatives.

• Manage strategic partnerships and collaboration, including major tech providers and internal transformation programmes.

• Provide strong leadership and oversight, driving impact measurement, risk management, and embedding EDI principles across all AI activities.

Skills and experience

• Significant experience leading AI implementation programmes in complex, knowledge-based organisations.

• Expertise in business design and operating model development through to successful implementation.

• Highly developed stakeholder influencing skills and political awareness.

• Strong financial and analytical skills.

• Experience managing external consultancy and technology supplier relationships.

• Strategic thinker with ability to plan for medium and long-term horizons.

• Familiarity with ethical AI practices and governance.

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.

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.

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 fairly and objectively.

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at [email protected].

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

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 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. Please contact [email protected] or 020 3469 8400 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.