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.
Registered Charity 
More than 1000
Thank you!
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
BACKGROUND
Over the past 90 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster.
The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.
IRC UK
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England.
In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
The External Relations (ER) unit comprises four complementary functions: Private Fundraising, Marketing & Mobilization, Policy & Advocacy and Operations & Analytics. To enable IRC to deliver our Strategy100 commitments, the ER unit established a bold new approach that enhances our ability to raise diverse and flexible funding aligned with IRC’s top priorities, while raising our profile and influence. The ER unit is international, with colleagues in more than 10 offices globally.
The Purpose of the Role
As Director of Communications, UK, you lead IRC UK’s core communications strategy with the objectives of growing our profile, influencing policy, driving income, and building our reputation. This is done by taking a strategic approach to generating effective messaging for cross-team use, creatively collaborating to produce cut-through external products across media and digital channels, and generating top tier media coverage in collaboration with communications, advocacy and fundraising colleagues globally. In this role you will be expected to use expert judgment to manage IRC UK’s reputation, as well as ensure media and digital outputs protect clients, staff and programming from harm.
The Director will report to the UK Executive Director and the Acting Senior Director of Global Public Affairs. The Director will collaborate closely with the Director for Digital Engagement, UK Advocacy Director, and the Director of UK Mass Markets to meet the organization’s strategic objectives surrounding profile, income and influence.
Scope and Authority
Authority:
●The role holder sets strategic direction for UK communications, with a focus on earned media, public advocacy and organic digital.
●The role oversees the UK comms operational budget, with access to the Global External Relations budget.
●The role has the authority to brief journalists with agreed messaging and act as spokesperson for the organisation.
●The Director will line manage the communications team and other positions when required.
●The role is a key member of the UK Senior Management Team, with collective responsibility for the leadership, culture and efficacy of IRC UK.
Key Working Relationships
●Reports to the UK Executive Director and Acting Senior Director Global Public Affairs & Communications.
●Close collaboration with External Relations staff in the UK, US and globally, including Policy and Advocacy, Mass Markets, Fundraising, Awards Management, Digital Engagement, Entertainment Relations, Creative Studio, and Experiential Marketing.
●Works closely with key country directors, country programme staff and technical unit colleagues.
●Supports policy staff in the IRC President’s Office on key UK messages and policy initiatives involving the IRC President.
●Works closely with counterparts in NGOs and donors particularly FCDO and the DEC.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Strategic Direction
●Raise IRC UK's profile, income, influence and brand in the UK market by developing and delivering a 360 comprehensive communications & marketing strategy that reaches target audiences, attracts new supporters, and connects supporters with IRC clients.
●Partner with global external relations leadership to set Key Performance Indicators for achieving the strategy, and drive and monitor progress towards them with the support of your team.
●Contribute to the development and delivery of the UK Strategic Plan.
Team Management & Stakeholder engagement
●Manage a team of communications professionals, setting objectives, portfolio scope, and partnering on professional development opportunities
●Drive creative insights and strategic thinking within the UK comms team and influence / maximize policy, advocacy and fundraising outputs and results
●Lead strategic communications planning to maximize opportunities of partnering with income and influence objectives and outputs
●Ensure the UK Communications Team are clear on systems, processes and organization to drive efficiency and team productivity
●Review team performance quarterly and present on results to global stakeholders
●As a member of the UK Senior Management Team (UK SMT) support the UK Executive Director in the creation and delivery of IRC UK strategies and priorities, foster cohesion and collaboration among UK based departments, representing the needs and objectives of the team in the UK SMT and UK office.
Execution: Driving IRC profile, influence and income; and protecting the reputation of the IRC
●Work alongside global communications colleagues, Policy & Advocacy colleagues, Digital Engagement and UK Fundraisers to develop appropriate messaging on key proactive and reactive issue areas across the scope of IRC’s work.
●Plan and identify key moments of opportunity for IRC UK Communications according to internal and external landscape and timetables.
●Ensure pro/reactive message accuracy and cut through calls to action that engage audiences for proactive campaigns and news cycle opportunities.
●Develop, commission and drive creative cut-through tactics and products, from revealing IRC research and analysis to emergency media briefings.
●Secure top tier media coverage of IRC’s work, solutions and innovation, balancing mentions with long-form/features and profiles.
●Influence and shape key media and digital narratives around IRC UK priority issues.
●Oversee strategic media opportunities by commissioning, writing, editing and disseminating messaging for multi-channel use includingpress-releases, op-eds, statements, web and social content to secure coverage of the IRC in the UK across print, broadcast and online media.
●Work with global communications colleagues and country office staff to create strong, persuasive and impactful outputs, and to arrange interviews and media visits to frontline work.
●Act as a spokesperson for the organization in the media as needed.
●Liaise closely with Fundraising teams to collaborate on timely messaging, client-centered storytelling, digital outputs, and media coverage to bring in donations to the IRC during emergencies and other fundraising appeals.
●Manage the communications component of IRC UK’s relationship with the DEC and lead communications on DEC appeals.
●Use expert judgment to ensure the IRC’s brand is protected and to develop and enact strategies to enhance IRC’s reputation, as well as ensure media outputs protect clients, staff and programming from harm.
●Ensure coordinated and topical messaging across media outreach and digital channels.
●Establish close relationships with press counterparts within statutory donor organizations that lead to opportunities to promote IRC in the media.
●Leverage IRC’s President and CEO, and UK Executive Director to grow our profile in the UK, through proposing and implementing op-eds, interviews and other media activities.
●Support, prepare and coach staff, spokespeople and board members for media interviews and visits; and provide guidance across the organisation to dealing with media.
●Build expertise on current and potential issues in the humanitarian NGO arena via research and monitoring of national media and competitors and in liaison with global colleagues.
●Work with the global media colleagues to ensure that IRC has a system for managing media enquiries at all times, as needed.
●Responsible for reporting to the IRCUK board, subcommittees and Executive Director on press activity, trends and upcoming opportunities.
●Responsibility for the budget oversight, tracking & administration as well as ensuring adherence to financial processes
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Experience
●**Track record in creating, driving and evaluating a 360-degree communications and marketing strategy that focuses on media, digital and enabling income.**
●**Experience leading and managing media and digital teams.**
●Experience navigating and influencing within large matrixed organizations.
●Extensive experience of developing key messages and implementing media strategies with an international, and ideally humanitarian or development focus.
●**Experience of conducting media relations and communications opportunities in developing countries and sensitive contexts.
●Experience of organising international media visits to projects in order to facilitate reporting on key issues.**
●**Experience responding to reputational threats.**
●**Experience leading a digital communications team that delivers breakthrough digital content
●Experience/knowledge of tools for monitoring media coverage and digital results.**
●Experience of dealing with media enquiries into crisis and sensitive issues.
●Experience of acting as a spokesperson for an organisation.
●Experience managing a budget, ensuring timely payment and adherence to finance protocol
Skills and Knowledge
●Creative thinker who can identify opportunities and collaborate internally to produce external products that cut through media and digital and meet strategic IRC UK objectives.
●Strong communication and interpersonal skills: ability to communicate effectively with colleagues both in the UK and overseas and manage working relationships diplomatically.
●Excellent eye to detail and commitment to high speed and high quality writing and editing
●Strong understanding of marketing and how communications intersect with income generation, and influencing
●Strong organisational and time management skills: ability to prioritise team’s work, and multi-task in a fast-paced work setting.
●Good knowledge of UK and international media landscape and news cycle
●Good instinct for digital marketing and digital environment
●Good contacts with key UK journalists and media outlets, and knowledge and ability to develop relationships quickly.
●Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills; adept at writing clean, engaging, jargon-free copy for a range of channels.
●Ability to represent IRC-UK and the wider IRC professionally and appropriately at all times.
●Knowledge/interest in international affairs, particularly of conflict and humanitarian crises and issues.
●Knowledge of key political debates in the UK around international development and aid.
●Flexibility as regards working hours, as the need arises.
●Willingness to travel occasionally to conflict areas.
●Fluency in English, spoken and written.
Thank you!
The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation is a drug and alcohol education charity that aims to support young people to make safe choices about drugs and alcohol and reduce harm. We do this through increasing understanding of the effects and risks, and helping to develop life skills and resilience. The Foundation was set up in January 2014 by Tim and Fiona Spargo-Mabbs in response to the death of their 16-year-old son Daniel having taken ecstasy
We are recruiting a Drugs Education Coordinator (Scotland) to join our team. This role will involve the coordination and delivery of DSMF drug education in Scotland, based in the Grampian region, working with the Head of Education and Engagement and Director to develop provision regionally and more widely.
Suitable candidates will:
- be passionate about supporting young people to make safer choices about drugs and alcohol
- have experience of developing and delivering drug and/or alcohol education in schools, colleges and/or the community
- have experience of working with young people, including a knowledge of substance use and its impacts
- have experience of project coordination, with excellent organisation skills
- be a skilled and effective communicator, both in writing and orally, with a wide range of people and agencies
- enjoy working remotely in a small and busy team
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.