"I was surprised how big Cancer Research UK was when I joined. The nature of the work was more corporate than I was expecting, with people in POD wearing business dress. I didn't know anything about this directorate before I joined but I've found it a very fun and friendly place to work. You get a lot out if you put a lot in, but it's not an easy ride at all. All eyes are on us as we spend funds without raising them, so we're accountable for everything.
I come from a corporate events background and I had to learn a lot of new things very quickly in order to do my job.I found it very intense, but at the same time I had a wide range of support and development opportunities available to help me do my job.
I love the variety of people I get to speak to - it's all part of working in a central directorate. We have a diverse customer base of over 3,500 and sometimes it can be hard, with everyone expecting you to do everything they want. You have to listen to their problem, understand where they're coming from and not impose your opinions.
The organisation can be very demanding of us, so you have to be quite resilient, determined and flexible in order to meet people's needs."