Challenge events fundraising executive jobs

Charity People is delighted to be partnering once again with Maudsley Charity to recruit an External Affairs and Influencing Manager.

A hugely exciting new role within the Communications team at the charity, the postholder will work across media, external affairs and influencing to engage with key stakeholders, boost the charity's profile, and promote learning and adoption of the solutions the organisation funds. You will be responsible for sharing evidence and learning in order to influence the people who fund, adopt and commission mental health care and services, and will work closely with the CEO to increase engagement with policy work which the Maudsley Charity undertakes through it's work in coalitions.

External Affairs and Influencing Manager
Contract: Full time, permanent role
Salary: £48,000 per annum
Location: Hybrid role between home and London office, with two days per week in the Denmark Hill office
Closing date for applications: 9am on Tuesday 28th July

First round interviews will be held remotely on: Thursday 13th August
Second round interviews will be held in person on: Thursday 20th and Friday 21st August

About Maudsley Charity

Maudsley Charity funds and supports clinical, academic, and community partners to ensure that everyone experiencing mental illness can access the right care, while using insights from their work to drive wider improvements across the UK.

Recognising the profound impact of mental illness and the inequalities in access, experience, and outcomes - particularly those linked to social deprivation and racism - the organisation focusses on addressing gaps in care.

With an approach that combines evidence, lived experience, and a commitment to equity, the organisation backs impactful, evidence-based solutions, ensuring services are shaped by real-world insight, and prioritising support for those most underserved to drive improvements that benefit all.

About the role

This is a core role within the organisation's influencing strategy, and your primary responsibilities will include:

External Affairs & Influencing:

• Develop and deliver influencing plans to promote adoption of effective mental health care initiatives being funded by the charity
• Develop productive relationships with key stakeholders (journalists, NHS trust leaders, ICBs, ICSs, VCSE orgs) to gather intelligence and shape strategy to inform the charity's positioning
• Lead the charity's thought leadership development providing strategic advice to senior leadership on political, NHS and mental health policy developments
• Strengthen the charity's role in mental health policy and advocacy coalitions, by contributing to collaborative advocacy, media and communications outputs
• Lead the charity's response to government mental health care consultations and calls for evidence
• Monitor funder sector trends and conversations, and actively seek out opportunities for the charity to strategically engage and influence by sharing learning from its grant making practice

Media management

• Develop and implement integrated external affairs campaigns that support the charity's influencing work
• Create persuasive materials, including press releases, op-eds, spokespeople briefings, comment pieces, and digital content and pitch to relevant outlets
• Maintain and grow relationships with journalists, broadcasters and sector media to secure relevant high-quality coverage of the charity's activities, grant holders and their projects
• Act as first point of contact for media enquiries, managing proactive and reactive press activity
• This role is expected to grow and develop and the postholder will be fully supported from across the organisation as the position evolves, within an organisation that offers a friendly, values led culture.

We would love to hear from individuals with the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrable track record of developing and implementing successful influencing strategies in the mental health sector
• Experience of stakeholder management within mental health care, including NHS Trust leaders, Integrated Care Boards, commissioners and senior clinicians, and with academics and researchers
• Strong experience in media relations, including briefing senior spokespeople, drafting press releases, media handling, and securing media coverage with a good understanding of the needs and expectations of different outlets and publications
• Keen understanding of the NHS, mental health policy landscape, and the related environment, key stakeholders and sector drivers
• Understanding of the key components and considerations of successful external affairs media and influencing
• Understanding of the sensitivities around mental illness, including working in an empathetic manner with people with lived experience
• Understanding of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles and a commitment to apply them in your work and as an organisation
• Influencing skills including confidence and credibility in working with stakeholders,
• Communication skills and the ability to produce clear and effective communications and the ability to confidently and accurately represent the organisation externally
• Written and editorial skills including the ability to craft narratives for different external audiences and communicate the charity's work in press releases, articles, policy briefs

How to apply

Maudsley Charity is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented backgrounds. We welcome applications from non-graduates.

Applications are managed via Charity People and involve a structured, anonymised process focusing on your experience and potential. Please send your CV to Alice at Charity People in the first instance.

Please see full job pack and job description attached.

There is also an optional 'Ask Us Anything' Webinar via Zoom on Thursday 16th July at 12.30pm where the Maudsley staff will answer questions. Please get in touch with Reception at Charity People if you'd like to register for this and they will send you the link. Please submit questions in advance to reception at Charity People before 9am on Wednesday 15th July 2026 in order that we can ensure all of your queries are answered.

Equal Opportunities monitoring

We ask that applicants complete our DEI monitoring form when submitting their CV for this role.

Maudsley Charity is an equal opportunities employer, and makes no discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sex. Specifically, we will also oppose unfair discrimination of those with mental health issues.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

You will provide appropriate emotional and practical 1-to-1 support to (those who identify as) women and non-binary people involved in sex work and those who are sexually exploited, who often experience stigma and face barriers to accessing services. This role will specifically focus on those who are experiencing DV, support will include addressing housing needs. You will be enabling people to access support and navigate services, You will be working in partnership with other agencies and making appropriate referrals for people to access other services to support their wider needs. You will contribute to wider team responsibilities including outreach, drop in and duty.

Role Purpose

As part of the Clinical Services leadership team, the Adult Team Manager provides operational oversight, line management, and clinical leadership to a multidisciplinary team delivering bereavement support to adults after the death of a child. The post holder ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality, and evidence-informed therapeutic support that is in line with organisational standards and clinical governance frameworks. They maintain a small caseload to ensure continued practice relevance and lead by example through high quality therapeutic work. The role balances hands-on leadership with operational management, contributing to service development, outcome measurement and quality improvement under the direction of the Head of Clinical Services.

Main Responsibilities

Operational and Team Management

· Oversee the daily operations of the adult bereavement service, ensuring effective coordination, delivery, and monitoring of therapeutic interventions

· Provide regular line management to counsellors and practitioners, supporting professional growth, wellbeing, and accountability

· Contribute to the safe and effective clinical triage of all referrals, informed by individualised needs, evidence-based practice and ensuring decisions align with clinical governance, safeguarding and risk, and recognised best practice standards

· Support in the allocation and management of team caseloads, ensuring referrals are prioritised and distributed appropriately to meet clinical need

· Monitor team performance, service activity, and adherence to quality standards and policies

· Support recruitment, induction, and development of new team members, modelling the organisation’s values and culture

· Foster a supportive, cohesive team culture driven by compassion, accountability and inclusion

· Work collaboratively with the Head of Clinical Services to identify service gaps, pressures, risks, and staffing needs, proposing solutions and adjustments as required

Clinical Leadership

· Provide clinical leadership and guidance to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-informed interventions

· Maintain a personal caseload of complex cases, modelling best practice and demonstrating clinical credibility

· Lead group peer supervision sessions and promote an environment of continual learning and professional growth

· Support risk assessment, management, and escalation processes, ensuring that safeguarding and ethical practice are consistently applied

· Offer consultation and advice to bereavement specialists, counsellors, volunteers on complex bereavement and trauma presentations

· Ensure staff receive appropriate clinical supervision in accordance with organisational guidelines

Service Delivery and Quality

· Oversee consistent delivery of individual, couple, group, and workshop bereavement support in line with agreed frameworks

· Ensure effective use of outcome measures and client feedback to assess impact, promote clinical reflection, and inform continuous improvement

· Contribute to the monitoring and auditing of service quality

· Contribute to the development and implementation of new models of care, services, resources, and practice improvement initiatives

· Support compliance with relevant legislation, safeguarding standards, and regulatory frameworks

Communication and Relationships

· Communicate effectively and sensitively within the organisation and with external professionals, including health and mental health services such as CMHTs and GPs

· Convey complex and emotionally sensitive information with clarity, empathy, and professionalism

· Manage interactions with individuals or groups who may be distressed or emotionally impacted by information shared

· Develop and maintain strong, positive working relationships with colleagues and peers to promote effective teamwork and collaboration

· Model organisational values and behaviours, demonstrating respect, compassion, and integrity in all communication and relationships

Knowledge, Training and Experience

· Undertake therapeutic assessments and interventions with adults in line with evidence-based and best practice approaches

· Complete comprehensive assessments, including risk assessments, and determine appropriate levels of intervention and response

· Ensure all practice meets professional standards and complies with relevant codes of conduct and national guidance

· Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current research, evidence-based practice, and developments in bereavement and trauma-informed care

· Engage in continuous professional development and maintain an active professional portfolio in line with professional body requirements

· Demonstrate knowledge and compliance with organisational policies, procedures, and safeguarding legislation, including Safeguarding Children and Adults and the Mental Capacity Act

· Provide guidance, supervision, and support to volunteers individually or in groups as required

Analytical and Judgement Skills

· Apply sound professional judgment and analytical skills to assess needs, plan interventions, and evaluate outcomes in accordance with best-practice frameworks

· Participate actively in team meetings to plan, review, and evaluate care strategies and approaches

· Ensure the accurate and timely recording of data and information to support monitoring, evaluation, and service development

· Contribute to the collection, analysis and reporting of outcome measures to support quality assurance, demonstrate

Person Specification

Education/Professional Qualification

Essential

· MA/MSc or Postgraduate Degree (minimum Level 6 or equivalent) in Counselling, Psychotherapy, Arts Therapy

· Registration with a professional body (ie. NCPS, HCPC, UKCP, BACP, BAAT, etc)

· Evidence of continuing professional development

· Training in safeguarding children and adults at risk (Level 3 minimum)

Desirable

· Additional training in clinical leadership

· Certificate/diploma in supervision

· Dual qualification (social work and counselling/psychotherapy)

· BACP accreditation or eligible for BACP accreditation

Skills and Experience

Essential

· Strong clinical leadership skills with the ability to support, motivate and develop others

· A strong understanding and knowledge of relevant psychological theories, therapeutic interventions, and models of grief work for adults, especially those bereaved of a child

· Able to make clear psychosocial assessments and managing complex emotional and mental health needs, risk, and safeguarding

· Evidence of working in a psychological framework with adults who have experienced common mental health problems (ie. anxiety and depression)

· Very strong assessment, formulation and planning skills within a therapeutic context

· Experience of triaging cases based on evidence and clinical need with the ability to make sound clinical judgements and risk assessments

· Significant experience of working therapeutically with adults who experience trauma and significant emotional distress

· Experience of using outcome measures, feedback tools and data to evaluate effectiveness and impact of interventions

· Ability to oversee operational delivery, managing clinical and management responsibilities

· Experience of safeguarding decision-making and managing complex cases involving risk

Desirable

· Experience in line management and clinical supervision within a therapeutic or mental health environment

Knowledge and Understanding

· In-depth understanding of the psychological impact of bereavement, trauma, and loss following the death of a child

· In-depth knowledge and understanding of relevant psychological theories, therapeutic interventions, and models of grief work

· Knowledge of therapeutic models and interventions relevant to adult trauma and grief

· Strong understanding of risk assessment and management, safeguarding legislation and frameworks and ethics in practice

· In-depth knowledge of evidence-based models of counselling and therapeutic interventions including creative and systemic approaches

· Proven ability to design, deliver and adapt psychological assessments and therapeutic interventions effectively through digital platforms, maintaining therapeutic alliance, safety, and impact when working remotely with adults

· Strong understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion relevant to bereavement and mental health

· Knowledge of service outcomes, quality standards, and measurement systems

Recruitment Timetable

Application deadline: 9th July 2026 at midnight

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications for the role before the closing date.

Interviews

First Stage Screening Interviews

You may be asked to attend a 10-minute Screening Interview on MS Teams with the Hiring Managers for the vacancy, to assess your suitability for the role. During the interview, you will be asked two skills-based questions.

Second Stage Interviews

If you are progressed to a second stage interview, you will be invited to attend a 1-hour formal interview on MS Teams with the Hiring Managers for the role. It is our policy to share the role-specific interview questions with applicants ahead of the interview, to aid their preparation. You may also be asked to complete an interview task, which will also be shared with you in advance.

For further information please see the Recruitment Pack for this role.