Business Support Manager (Maternity Cover)

Business Support Manager (Maternity Cover)

• £41,746 (FTE)
• 35 hours a week
• Maternity cover - up to 14 months
• London Hybrid Fixed working – at least one day a week in the office with some working from home
• Closing date: Sunday 1 November 2026, 11:59pm
• Interview dates: Week commencing 9 November 2026

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire family. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer.

We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time

About the role

We’re looking for a Business Support Manager with experience of working across disciplines in a fundraising charity to join our Fundraising and Engagement Team.

The postholder is going on maternity leave. The person appointed to this maternity cover opportunity will build on the strong work already done to create foundations and ways of working They will move forward playing a pivotal part in helping the Fundraising and Engagement directorate focus on the priorities that will have the greatest impact, bringing structure, insight and creative problem-solving to the work of the Fundraising & Engagement Leadership Team (FELT) and key initiatives.

The postholder will support FELT (Director, Associate Directors and Heads) to define, shape and sequence priorities, translate them into clear plans, and creatively support implementation so that key initiatives move forward at pace. The role will help ensure FELT’s time is focused on the most critical activities, with clear ownership, timely follow-up and practical support to unblock delivery.

This role will foster credible and trusted relationships with key stakeholders across directorates, helping to build visibility, momentum and engagement around high-priority programmes and the changes needed to deliver them.

This role is subject to a criminal record check. In the event of a successful application a basic criminal record check will be completed. A previous conviction is not necessarily a barrier to employment. We encourage qualified applicants to apply, and we will consider each case individually.

What will I be doing?

No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description.

• Partner with FELT to prioritise strategic objectives, shape key initiatives and support effective decision-making.
• Coordinate strategic planning, priority projects and operational programmes, translating learning and opportunities into practical action.
• Produce and coordinate directorate, Board and corporate reporting, including meaningful income, KPI and performance reporting.
• Work with FELT and Finance to coordinate month-end reporting, budgeting and reforecasting.
• Oversee programme governance, risks, issues and dependencies, identifying and addressing barriers to successful delivery.
• Lead continuous improvement of systems, tools and processes, including maximising the effective use of Copilot, Teams and other technology.
• Coordinate cross-directorate collaboration and communications, supporting transparency, alignment and a strong ‘One Team’ culture.
• Ensure leaders and teams are well briefed, prepared and supported through effective meetings, documentation, communications and programme resources.

What do I need?

Diverse perspectives and unique skillsets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.

The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:

• Experience of working in a fundraising charity.
• Experience of providing operational business suppo…