Dementia advisor jobs in cambridge

We are looking for a Policy Manager to join our dynamic and well-respected policy team. Our team’s mission is to ensure people affected by dementia benefit from the progress in research, by providing evidence and insights to influence decision-makers. This ranges from making the case to increase investment in dementia research, promoting the concept of good Brain Health to reduce the risk of developing dementia through to preparing health systems to be ready for future dementia treatments.

Policy and Public Affairs team encourages creativity and new ways of doing things. The post holder will have opportunities to take initiative and work on projects that take the charity in new directions. The postholder will report to the Head of Policy (Access and Innovation), working across the wider Policy and Public Affairs team. The team takes a matrix approach to our work, using the skills and expertise across the team to maximise impact of a project. The role is based near Cambridge and will include work in London and elsewhere in the UK.

Key Responsibilities:

Portfolio

As an agile organisation the portfolio of the team is constantly evolving. Currently focus areas for the role will be :

· Increase government investment in dementia research, working with Alzheimer’s Research UK’s research team to articulate priorities for spending and ensure we have robust policy proposals which government can implement. There will be a particular focus on clinical trial infrastructure and recruiting a more diverse range of participants in research

· Clinical engagement, by managing and growing our clinical engagement activities and the planning of our annual clinical conference.

· Strengthening the team’s patient and public involvement and engagement work. This will involve champion PPI across the wider team, managing our current public and patient forums and leading a programme of work to ensure our engagement is innovative and sector leading. 

· Leading work to ensure our Stats Hub is accurate, timely and best supports our policy and data analysis work.

Policy development

· To develop and manage programmes of work on key strategic policy areas that position ARUK as a key influencer both nationally and internationally.  This may include the commissioning of external evidence generation.

· Provide expertise on the relevant evidence, insight and policy context to enable the development of new innovative policy ideas and solutions that deliver on our strategic priorities.

· Manage the development of substantial and credible policy outputs, including briefings, reports, submissions to government departments and their agencies, parliamentary committees, and other UK and international organisations as appropriate.

· Working with the communications team to ensure our policy work is disseminated to our key audiences via a range of appropriate channels in order to maximise our reach and impact.

· Develop and maintain mechanisms to keep abreast of the policy environment relevant to the portfolio of the post.

· Analyse, interpret and make judgements on complex project activities, delegating and managing the policy advisors to achieve set deliverables through their management of day-to-day activities. As Policy and Public Affairs works in a matrix structure this may include managing deliverables with policy advisors across the team.

· Support the join-up between projects and across the wider team to ensure shared knowledge and the opportunity to maximise influence and impact.

Stakeholder engagement and management

· To develop and manage stakeholder engagement of key policy contacts, developing relationships within the research and the wider clinical field across a range of organisations.

· Actively promote patient and public involvement in the development and delivery of projects.

· Work with Public Affairs colleagues to strengthen existing and emerging relationships with political and other parliamentary stakeholders to maximise the impact of our policy work.

· To attend external working groups and help develop partnerships beneficial to ARUK.

· Work with other charities to ensure ARUK is playing a leadership role in shaping government medical research policy.

Research and data analysis

· To oversee the analysis of necessary data and understanding, working with other ARUK colleagues, to produce accurate, timely and insightful policy materials, briefings and media stories.

Line Management Responsibilities

· To line manage and develop a Policy Advisor, providing coaching mentoring and performance management as appropriate.

· Work with Heads of Policy and other Managers to support our team mission, wider team development and our commitment to excellence.

What we are looking for:

· Educated to Degree Level – or equivalent

· Experience and success in policy development and influencing change.

· Experience of building constructive relationships with stakeholders across multiple organisations, especially within a biomedical research or health setting.

· Experience of writing and reviewing complex policy reports.

· Understanding of range of channels for communicating policy work.

· Experience of line management

· Experience of delivering consultation responses and working with government teams to embed ideas.

· Confidence working with computers – good knowledge of Word, Excel and Outlook.

· A passionate, proactive and curious policy professional.

· Strong negotiation skills.

· Excellent personal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with people at all levels both face to face and remotely.

· Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workload.

· Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

· Ability to manage and develop people.

· Ability to manage a broad programme of work.

· Ability to write professionally, with an ability to adapt communication style for different audiences to maximise impact.

· Ability to analyse and interpret complex data to identify key messages.

· Professional and hard-working team player

· Outgoing, enthusiastic and able to remain calm under pressure

· Ability to show initiative and adaptability in a complex and changing policy environment

· Strategic outlook with a clear focus on impact.

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £44,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 19th October 2025, with interviews being arranged once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Legal Counsel to join our dynamic team. The Legal Counsel is responsible for advising and challenging senior colleagues, ensuring the provision of sound legal advice and guidance. They will oversee legal compliance, manage legal risk mitigation efforts and take ownership of legal processes to enable the smooth operation of our organisation.

This position will take accountability for developing and implementing the charity’s legal strategies, ensuring that legal risks are proactively identified, managed, and mitigated effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

 Compliance and Regulations

· Take ownership of monitoring and advising on changes in laws and regulations relevant to the charity, including but not limited to charity law, data protection, health and safety.

· Oversee the development and execution of strategies to address legal risks, obligations, and opportunities.

· Ensure compliance with applicable legal frameworks, to include the creation and maintenance of a legal register.

· Proactively identify, monitor, address, and report on legal (and where appropriate other business) issues of significance.

Contracts

· Take responsibility for drafting, reviewing and negotiating a variety of contracts including, but not limited to commercial, research, collaboration contracts and service agreements, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and mitigating potential risks.

· Oversee the provision of timely and pragmatic legal advice on matters of contract law, intellectual property rights, employment law, governance, and other relevant areas, ensuring alignment with our organisational goals.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

· Take ownership of managing legal disputes, litigation, and other legal matters, ensuring effective collaboration with external counsel to safeguard the charity’s interests.

· Identify and address legal risks proactively and escalate more complex legal matters when appropriate.

· Provide specialist advice to ensure foreseeable legal risks are effectively identified.

Stakeholder Engagement & Training

· Be accountable for establishing and maintaining effective business relationships with internal and external stakeholders, overseeing the integration of legal input into decision-making processes.

· Take responsibility for developing and delivering training sessions and workshops to ensure employees and stakeholders are well informed on legal matters, contracts, policies, and procedures.

· Establish and maintain effective business relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

 What we are looking for:

· Qualified solicitor or barrister in the UK, with a current practicing certificate, sound legal training in a well-regarded legal practice, and relevant post-qualification experience in-house and / or in private practice.

· Strong knowledge of contract law, and the drafting of agreements, negotiating contracts and developing compliance.

· Strong knowledge and understanding of UK legal frameworks, regulations, and compliance requirements applicable to charitable organisations.

· Ability to translate complex technical information into clear and accessible advice to non-legal stakeholders.

· Extensive demonstrable post-qualification experience.

· Solution focused, pragmatic, and able to apply legal knowledge and good practice in day-to-day work.

· Able and prepared to quickly develop a good understanding of new legal areas and issues which affect the organisation.

· Able to recognise when more complex and serious issues arise and escalate appropriately.

· Proven ability to independently lead initiatives, oversee multiple priorities and ensure deadlines are met in a fast-paced environment.

· Proficiency in MS Office 365 and other relevant software applications.

· Proven drafting, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

· Strong ethical standards and a high level of personal integrity.

· Effective problem-solving skills with the ability to assess risks, develop effective solutions, and to exercise good judgement / initiative in a variety of situations.

· Confidence in presenting / communicating to groups of people and / or senior leadership.

· Detail-oriented with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

· Ability to quickly establish personal credibility and to develop and maintain effective strategic relationships.

· Receptive to feedback and demonstrates flexibility, curiosity, and an ability to learn.

· Enthusiasm, commitment and motivation for work, and the achievement results

· Demonstrated ability to manage and take ownership of strategic relationships, fostering deeper partnerships across the organisation. 

· Working experience of intellectual property rights, employment law, governance, regulatory compliance, and data protection.

· Experience working with complex charities.

· Personal demeanour that secures the trust and confidence of others.

Additional Information:

Ways of working:

As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £70,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 19th October 2025, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2024, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement. This is the second consecutive time; we have been awarded a Best Companies 3-star accreditation.

We were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

· 18th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

· 10th in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

· 2nd in the 30 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK