HR Policy Specialist presso Cancerresearchuk

Credible HR policy. Driving change. Impacting the future.

HR Policy Specialist

£40,000- £45,000 + benefits

Reports to: Employee Relations Manager

Grade: P3

Directorate: Chief Operating Office

Contract: Fixed-term contract ending 31 March 2027

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: 30 October 2025, 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 [email protected] as soon as possible.

Recruitment process: One competency-based interview with an exercise

Interview date: 14 & 17 November 2025

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 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.

The HR department plays an essential role in engaging and inspiring Cancer Research UK’s people by delivering operational transformation, robust governance, and a high-quality employee experience. This enables us to be an inclusive, sustainable, and agile organisation across approximately 640 stores, 4 distribution hubs, 4 scientific research institutes (laboratories), and over .2,500 head office staff across the UK.

As we prepare for the transformative changes introduced by the upcoming Employment Rights Bill, we’re looking for an HR Policy Specialist to lead in shaping our people policies, ensuring our HR practices are future-ready. You’ll be responsible for reviewing, redesigning, and implementing HR policies and guidance materials reflective of legislative developments and best practices. As a subject matter expert, you’ll proactively monitor employment law changes and translate them into clear, accessible updates. This will involve collaborating closely with stakeholders (including HR colleagues, employment lawyers, senior leadership, policy owners, staff networks, and staff representatives) to support organisational change and ensure our policies are inclusive, legally compliant, and strategically aligned with our mission, values, and workforce needs.

If you're an HR Policy expert with strong knowledge of current and upcoming UK employment law and hands-on experience developing, writing, and implementing HR policies within a large organisation, we’d love for you to join our mission.

What will I be doing?

• Leading the review and redesign of Cancer Research UK’s HR policies and all associated guidance materials in conjunction with the legislative changes arising from the Employment Rights Bill. 

• Monitoring legislative changes and translating them into policy updates and communications. 

• Drafting, reviewing, and updating HR policies, procedures, and guidance documents in line with UK employment legislation, best practice, and organisational values. 

• Maintaining a central repository of HR policies, ensuring version control and accessibility. 

• Leading research and benchmarking activities against other organisations to ensure HR policies are robust, fit for purpose, and reflect best practice.

• Leading the policy consultation processes in collaboration with policy owners and internal stakeholders (such as HR Business Partners, staff networks, and staff representatives).

• Applying knowledge and passion for equality, diversity, and inclusion, to ensure our policies reflect our strategic direction and people. 

• Proactively mitigating risks and resolving issues as they arise. 

• Acting as a subject matter expert on HR policy, employment law, and best practice. 

What are you looking for?

• Experienced HR Policy Specialist with significant experience developing, designing, writing, and implementing HR policies within a large, complex organisation (c. 4,000 employees).

  • Please note: candidates with an HR Generalist background with experience working on HR policies on an ad hoc basis will not be considered for this role, as this position requires an HR policy specialist skill set and expertise.

• Expert knowledge of UK employment law with a strong understanding of the upcoming legislative changes relating to the Employment Rights Bill. 

• Proven experience in researching HR policies and best practices using external resources and professional networks, with a practical understanding of how these shape HR processes and operational practice.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to translate UK employment law into simple, accessible, and engaging language for a diverse range of people.

• Has built credible, collaborative, and engaging internal and external stakeholder relationships and senior leaders with excellent interpersonal, facilitation, influencing, and negotiation skills.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritise and organise effectively, with a track record of working independently, managing multiple projects from initiation to completion, and delivering high-quality outcomes at pace while meeting deadlines.

• A solutions-focused professional skilled in problem-solving, driving continuous improvements, fostering collaboration, challenging conventional thinking, and championing best practices.

• Resilient and flexible, with experience driving change and the ability to navigate ambiguity and uncertainty, while supporting and guiding others through periods of transition.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to align employment legislation and HR best practices with Cancer Research UK’s strategic objectives and values, demonstrating sound judgement and pragmatism in risk-based decision making.

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.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide 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 careers web page.

Additional information

For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us at [email protected].  

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: LinkedIn, 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.