Charity event assistant

Hundreds of inspiring events. Thousands of participants. One clear purpose.

In a lively, vibrant working environment, you’ll discover something new every day, whether it’s a new course, a new community or a talent you never knew you had.

You’ll also be surrounded by people who are as dedicated to beating cancer as you are.

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What does an events assistant do?

Events assistants act as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK, supporting the delivery of our events season including well-known events such as Race for Life, Big Hike, Pretty Muddy and Shine Night Walk. They take on highly responsible roles and gain experience in areas such as course, obstacles and volunteer management.

There are also opportunities to work at third-party sports events such as the London Marathon, Manchester Marathon, Royal Parks Half Marathon, and many others. Support for these events can include delivering post-race support and stewardship or leading a group of volunteers at a cheer point.

Events assistants are an integral part of a dedicated events team of experts in their field. They have great fun, develop, and deliver inspiring events which bring together communities, survivors and those who have been touched by cancer.

Hear from our events assistants

I'm proud of being part of the team which has helped raise awareness of Cancer Research UK and also raise vital funds to continue their work. The variety of roles at the event will develop your skills and knowledge of not just events but team work, communication, adaptability and flexibility; you will also have great fun while supporting the fundraising of Cancer Research UK.

- Sue Curtis

Being part of Cancer Research UK has helped me blossom in confidence to tackle difficult conversations and be part of offering much needed support to colleagues in times of need. The role in the team is like no other, it's thrilling chaos at the beginning with everyone working together to build the event with a fabulous ending celebrating the amazing participants completing their race.

- Jess Mason

Events assistant: what to expect

When is event season?

Our events season takes place between May and October each year.

Generally our events assistants work approximately 6 to 8 weekends across this period. The events are allocated around your availability, which we ask you to confirm before you start with us. Whilst most of our events are on weekends, we work some Fridays for event set up, and the occasional weekday event.

Applications open in January for a May start.

Who can apply?

We’re looking for applicants with a passion for events and a readiness to take responsibility for aspects of delivering large-scale and logistically complex events.

The role mostly takes place on weekends and our shifts cover some night-time events making it easy to fit around some jobs and/or studies.

Whilst we don’t expect you to be able to run a marathon, there is some physical activity required in this role which requires a reasonable level of fitness and we work outside in all weather conditions. You will be walking some of the 5k and 10k routes before the event, as well as setting up on event day and being on your feet and on the go for the majority of the event.

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. 

Our teams cover 5 geographical regions across the UK. You’ll need to live within the divisional boundaries so please ensure you apply to the correct division depending on where you live.

How much can I earn?

Our events assistants work on a casual contract and are paid £13.80 per hour.

What happens at the end of the event season?

When you take on a casual role within the event delivery team, you become a valued member of the national team. Once you have joined us, there is no need to apply year on year. At the end of the event season, you'll have the chance to discuss with your manager if you can return for the following year. We have also had many event assistants go on to become permanent members of staff with us. We recognise talent within these roles and offer support and development both within the event assistant role and your onward career. Many of our event managers have been promoted directly from an event assistant role.

What will I be doing?

Successful applicants will take on highly responsible roles and gain experience in course, start, finish, stage, obstacles, and volunteer management:

Course Manager – setting up the route, working with risk assessments, briefing, and deploying volunteers as well as managing on the day communication on radio and derigging the route at the end of the event.
Obstacle Manager – overseeing the set up of Pretty Muddy obstacles, working with risk assessments, briefing, and managing volunteers as well as liaising with suppliers and ensuring the safe monitoring of obstacles during the event.
Start & Finish Manager – setting up and managing the start and finish lines for events. Managing volunteers, liaising with suppliers, managing late starters and being responsible for the overall running of the start/finish area.

Stage Manager – working closely with PA companies, hosts, and warm up providers to run the stage content to time and keeping to script.
Volunteer Manager – signing in, briefing, and looking after large groups of volunteers on the day. Ensuring they have all the information they need, are thanked, and welcomed back after completing their role and monitoring their welfare throughout the event.

As well as the above, there are opportunities to work at some of our third-party partner events delivering post-race support and stewardship or leading a group of volunteers at a cheer point. You will become part of a dedicated events team who are experts in their field, have great fun, develop, and deliver inspiring events which bring together communities, survivors and those who have been touched by cancer. 

Become an event assistant

Illustration of a hand writing on a notepad

Stage 1: Online application

Complete an online application form. Fill out your details, answer a number of role related questions and upload your CV. Please note that in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, our application process is anonymised, meaning we will not be able to view your CV until later. So please fill out all required fields even if the information is provided in your CV.

Our teams cover 5 geographical regions across the UK. You’ll need to live within the divisional boundaries so please ensure you apply to the correct division depending on where you live.

Illustration of a person with their hand up

Stage 2: Interview

Successful applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews will be held in each division. A panel of representatives from the division you are applying to will ask competency-based questions relating to the role.

Stage 3: Offer

We will get in touch to make successful applicants an offer. We will arrange the induction for you and other seasonal event assistants, a diverse and talented cohort, launching their careers in the charity.

Training

As part of your induction into the role, there are two days of compulsory training at Yarnfield training centre in Stafford. This will be paid training and all food, accommodation and travel will also be paid for.

Stage 1: Online application
Stage 2: Interview
Stage 3: Offer
Training

Join an inclusive team

Beating cancer means beating it for everyone. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do.

This will help us make faster progress: it is well known that more diverse organisations perform better, and we will enable our community of cancer researchers to thrive.

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented, and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to beat cancer sooner. 

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 questions or concerns you have about how we can support you with a disability or health condition or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen.

Together we will beat cancer.