About the opportunity
Would you like to play a key part in influencing national decisionmakers across Wales, England and Northern Ireland to drive major, positive change in the dementia policy space? Then this could be the role for you.
Sitting within Alzheimer’s Society’s National Influencing team, as our new National Influencing Officer (Public Affairs) you would be instrumental in delivering innovative, engaging, collaborative, and evidence-based influencing work. You’d be ensuring that political and health system stakeholders are acting on the biggest issues affecting people living with dementia, working closely with other teams to drive work that is integrated locally and nationally.
While this role is predominantly focused on delivering national influencing activity in England, you’ll also be part of a fluid and flexible team that operates across boundaries and supports with our political work in Wales and Northern Ireland.
This is an exciting time for dementia policy in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We have the chance to ensure that governments are prioritising dementia and the needs of all those affected by the condition. Our National Influencing Officer (Public Affairs) will be at the forefront of taking on this vitally important challenge.
About You
You will bring:
- Excellent knowledge of the political and health system and how to influence national decisionmakers.
- A strong understanding of the external political environment and a proven track record in political or similar stakeholder management at a national level.
- Experience engaging proactively with national politicians and decisionmakers, acting as the first point of contact for their teams.
- Confidence and credibility in working with both internal and external stakeholders, with the ability to influence across geographical and organisational boundaries.
- A proven ability to operate and thrive in fast-paced, multi-dimensional environments, and to adapt well to change and ambiguity.
- Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex data into accessible, impactful content and recommendations.
- Experience working across multiple UK nations in complex influencing environments.
- A commitment to involving people with lived experience – such as those with dementia or long-term health conditions – in your work.
What You’ll Focus On
In this role, you will:
- Lead or support political engagement across England and potentially other UK nations, using your knowledge of parliamentary structures and influencing routes to drive change.
- Provide oversight and coordination of political monitoring and stakeholder engagement activity.
- Plan and deliver impactful public affairs (or similar) events, including parliamentary receptions, breakfast meetings, roundtables, and party conference activity.
- Translate evidence-based policy positions into compelling and effective influencing strategies that achieve real-world impact.
- Build delivery plans focused on meaningful outcomes and measure their success through evaluation and learning.
- Produce high-quality, accessible content to inform and engage stakeholders, using strong presentational and communication skills.
About Alzheimer's Society - who are we and what’s our mission?
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.
At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re the UK’s leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.
Together with our supporters, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.
Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.
Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as part of a minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.
Our hiring process
We want you to bring your whole self to the process. Applications are anonymised until interview stage, and we’re happy to support any adjustments. Share your feedback via our candidate survey when applying to help us improve. We may close early if we receive high interest (with 48 hours’ notice). Some roles may require a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment commitment. Thinking about using AI during the recruitment process? we know this can be helpful in many ways but remember to include your personal and authentic self too. Your voice and experience are what really set you apart.
Giving back to you
At Alzheimer’s Society, we value our people and take a total reward approach to pay and benefits. You’ll enjoy a generous double-matched pension scheme, 27 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays and wellbeing days), and access to a free Bupa Cash Plan, 24/7 EAP, Thrive mental wellbeing support, and virtual GP services. Our Society Plus platform offers exclusive discounts, wellbeing resources, and recognition schemes, while our flexible working, family-friendly policies, and life assurance provide peace of mind and work/life balance. We also offer a free Will-writing service and long service awards to recognise your ongoing commitment.
Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.
- Salary - £15,509 (£25,849 pro-rata FTE)
- Hours - 21 Hours per week
- Contract Type - Permanent
- Location - Home-based, Hybrid/Flexible or Bristol office
- Closing date – Sunday 10th August
- W/C interview date – 18th August
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. 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 sure they get the right care and support at the right time.
We challenge the systems and policies that surround children and young people, we highlight gaps and campaign for change. Because we know what a better future could look like. And we know what we need to do to make that future a reality. We need to push harder, reach further and work smarter. And we need the right people on our team to help us get there. People like you.
About the role
We’re looking for a Learning and Development Coordinator (known internally as People Development Coordinator) with either experience in learning and development and/or a strong interest in building a career in the field to join our People Development Team
You’ll support the team in the coordination of internal and externally commissioned learning and development activities, working closely within the team, your departmental colleagues, and internal subject experts on a wide range of subjects and topics that are core areas for our workforce. You will maintain and continually improve our course evaluation, record keeping, and administrative processes, and bring new ideas and solutions to improve efficiency and measure impact. By supporting the wider charity with corporate induction and activities that help the workforce to drive their own development, you will play a key role in ensuring our people are supported to be the best they can be and maximise their talents for the benefit of children and young people with cancer.
This is a part-time role (21 hours a week). This is a hybrid role which can be home-based, hybrid or office-based (Bristol), with some flexibility depending on the post holder.
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.
- Promoting the 70:20:10 model and providing the appropriate resources and signposting to enable our workforce to proactively drive their own development.
- To promote and support the use of new and existing learning and development tools and opportunities to enable people to develop themselves.
- To work closely with the rest of the People Development team, People and Culture business partners and internal client base to coordinate and commission high-quality, value for money learning opportunities which further Young Lives vs Cancer’s ability to reach our strategic goals.
- Create, maintain, and develop learning and eLearning resources in collaboration with appropriate subject matter experts across the charity.
- Promote and provide up-to-date information and support about the People Development offer to the rest of the organisation, including the UK’s Growth and Skills Levy scheme.
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:
- We are looking for someone with natural organisation and people skills who thrives in a collaborative environment, is adaptable, a great team player, and enjoys a challenge.
- Experienced in administrative and coordination duties and working in a learning focussed environment
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Strong time management and organisational skills, with great attention to detail
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritise tasks and projects
- IT skills and being proactive about developing your own skills - especially Office 365 and a good working knowledge of spreadsheets and databases are a must. A working knowledge of SharePoint is a plus.
What will I gain?
For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:
- Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
- Wellbeing, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Great family/caring leave entitlements
- Enhanced pension
- Access to our employee savings scheme
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.
We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, 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 sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.
Accessibility
We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.
#ShowTheSalary #NonGraduatesWelcome
Location (UK): Office Hybrid* - London/Chesterfield (potential office relocation to central Sheffield in 2026)
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Travel: Occasional travel to Versus Arthritis offices (London, Chesterfield, Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow)
Join us and use your skills, knowledge, passion and energy to help us achieve a future free from arthritis.
We’re seeking a Media and PR Assistant to join our busy press office working to grow the charity’s profile and media reach. This role would suit a team player with a proactive attitude who has a keen interest in, and knowledge of, the media. Strong communication skills – both written and verbal - are a must.
About the role
As the Assistant PR and Media Officer, you will work across the media and PR team to support the delivery of impactful media coverage that will build understanding of the issues affecting people with arthritis, increase awareness of Versus Arthritis and drive change.
This will include acting as a point of contact for journalists seeking information and working with colleagues across the charity to provide timely and accurate comment, requiring occasional out of hours work. As well as responding to reactive media enquiries, you will have the opportunity to help deliver proactive media work and write press releases.
Central to increasing awareness and understanding of arthritis is through sharing the experiences of people with lived experience. Alongside the Stories Officer, you will support people to share their stories with media and help manage these important relationships.
A key part of the role is to provide administrative support and to lead on media monitoring and evaluation, ensuring this supports team performance and learning. We’re a friendly and supportive team, keen to help you progress and thrive.
About you
If your knowledge, skills and experience include the following then we’d love to hear from you:
- Experience writing in different styles and producing content for different audiences.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Confident working with internal and external stakeholders at different levels.
- A proactive, ‘can do’ attitude and desire to learn and develop.
- The ability to work on different priorities and manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
- An interest in improving the lives of people with arthritis and the willingness to gain knowledge of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.
*As a hybrid worker the expectation is that you will spend around 40% of your working time in our office spaces or working in community settings. As an inclusive employer we will consider home-based working for anyone where office-based hybrid working would be a barrier to being able to work for us, for example for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.
Benefits
Your excellent benefits include:
- Flexible hours, environments and working practices to promote a healthy work/life balance.
- Health and wellbeing support – including the Employee Assistance Programme (free confidential 24/7 support with mental health, legal and financial queries).
- Simplyhealth cash plan.
- Supportive and inclusive culture, with a wide range of employee networks and support groups available to join.
- Learning and personal development opportunities.
- Competitive annual leave, with the option to buy/sell up to five days per year.
- Generous pension plan, with employer contribution of up to 10%.
- Life Assurance plan (4 x salary).
Application deadline and shortlisting
- We advise candidates to apply early as we reserve the right to close applications ahead of the advertised date.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
We do not wish to receive contact from agencies or media sales.
Please note that we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) during our recruitment and selection processes, and we would respectfully ask that you also refrain from using AI during the selection process. Whilst we do recognise that AI may be a beneficial tool for some when aiding research and preparation for an application or interview, we want to maintain a fair, inclusive and positive recruitment experience at Versus Arthritis where candidates can feel supported to demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and skills without the use of AI generated answers.
Interview
Interview dates are to be confirmed.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee you will be offered an interview if you disclose a disability and demonstrate sufficient evidence within your application that you meet the essential criteria for this role. We will also make any reasonable adjustments you may require for your interview.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.