Head of external affairs jobs in london

About Us

We are the national body for careers education in England, delivering support to schools and colleges to deliver modern, 21st century careers education.

The Careers & Enterprise Company is a great place to work. We operate within a fast-paced and collaborative environment. We are brought together by one thing: our passion to ensure young people get the best possible start in life and are supported to find their best next step.

Do you want to be part of a mission-driven team focused on transforming young people’s lives? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

About the role 

We are looking for a senior External Affairs leader to oversee a busy multi-disciplinary team to drive our reputational, influencing and engagement work across our national outreach, this is not a new post - it is one that already exists within the company's staffing structure. This is a highprofile position within the organisation, with responsibility for leading an integrated approach to delivering our strategic objectives across government relations, policy influencing, communications and marketing and audience engagement functions.

World class careers education requires engaging lots of institutions and stakeholders to work together in a focussed, strategic and co-ordinated way for young people across the country. Key is ensuring careers education continues to elevate its status within the skills, education and local growth agenda for policy makers and that key influencers and actors in the system collaborate with us meaningfully to achieve our mission of helping every young person to take their next best step.

External Affairs sits within CEC’s Strategy & Communications directorate alongside Policy & Impact and Strategic Business Engagement and plays a key role in helping these teams and other sectorled teams across CEC to engage audiences, communicate evidence led practice and to help inform and influence positively on future approaches to driving high quality careers education.

The role brings together three key areas:

1. Corporate Affairs and government and policy engagement, including parliamentary relationsand wider external influencers on careers, skills and education policy and provision
2. Communications, inclusive of press and media relations and stakeholder communications across multi-channels
3. Marketing and Audience Engagement, to engage and support multiple key actors within the careers education landscape, including schools and colleges, employers and providers

Please visit our website to apply, complete an application form and cover letter and upload an anonymised version of your CV.

Please describe in your cover letter:

• How you meet the experience, skills and competency criteria detailed in the job profile
• Why you would like to work for the Careers and Enterprise Company

Closing date: Midnight on 29th June 2025

The purpose of your role

We are looking for a proactive policy and corporate affairs professional to join the Police Now team and play a key role in shaping understanding of our programmes, build support amongst stakeholders, and lead the conversation on police reform and culture change. 

Police Now’s mission is to transform communities, reduce crime and increase public confidence in policing.  You will be instrumental in identifying and offering great opportunities to showcase the best of Police Now's work with Ministers, officials, MPs, Peers, committees, All-Party Parliamentary Groups, and other policy stakeholders and influencers.  You will use your skills in advocacy and effective communication to increase awareness of and support for what we deliver, and be an effective partner to the Government demonstrating delivery of their 13,000 neighbourhood policing pledge and the difference good local policing makes to communities.

What you’ll do – the key responsibilities

•Establish yourself within Police Now as a source of expert political advice and guidance in handling sensitive issues and relationships, working to protect and enhance our reputation. 

•Be curious about police reform, be actively contributing on external thinking about this and ensure PN colleagues are kept abreast of key developments.

•Maintain the day to day relationship with the Home Office including organising meetings, submissions, paperwork and evaluations.

•Provide expert policy advice to officials at the Home Office, other Government Departments, and Parliamentarians on the work of Police Now through contributions to White Papers and Committee Investigations. 

•Be proactive in looking for opportunities for Police Now such as organising visits, participating in roundtables, and playing an active role in relevant conferences.

•Ensure that Police Now fulfils its obligations to Government in return for public investment and is responsive to the needs of the Home Office and other organisations. You will provide accurate information for answers to Parliamentary Questions in a timely manner, input for Ministerial briefings and correspondence, and advice on police and skills policy issues to the Government as appropriate.

What you’ll need – the person specification

•Experience of influencing and advocating within a policy and public affairs environment, you will be confident in communicating with senior stakeholders.

•Engage Ministers, MPs, Mayors, Police and Crime Commissioners and their teams in a way that enhances Police Nows reputation as an expert, insight-led organisation with a strong record of delivery that represents excellent value-for-money.

•You will have a strong understanding of Westminster, Whitehall and the Mayoralities and build good working relationships with key decision-makers.  Some experience of media handling around public policy issues is desirable as you will work closely with the Media and Communications team at Police Now.

•Essential skills are the ability to write well, communicate effectively and be confident in engaging senior stakeholders.  A demonstrable interest or background in policing or related public services would be of assistance in working with internal stakeholders.

•Above all, you must demonstrate for a passion the Police Now mission, be proactive in identifying opportunities to share Police Now's impact, and be a great team player.

Head of Retail and FOOD Services

Department: Directorate of Development and External Affairs

Salary: Starting at £47,264, rising to £54,728 FTE per annum + £480 home-based allowance FTE per annum

Location: Homebased with weekly national travel 

Hours: 37 hours per week (full-time)

We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details. 

Contract: Permanent

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:

At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities. 

We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team as the Head of Retail and FOOD Services. This is a unique opportunity to lead and innovate in a role that combines strategic leadership, operational excellence, and community impact.

Main Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a multi-channel retail and food services strategy, including business planning, risk assessment, and performance management to increase net profit and service impact.
• Lead on budgeting, financial forecasting, and P&L management. Identify and develop new income-generating opportunities, including grants and tenders.
• Provide strategic leadership to geographically dispersed teams, ensuring effective recruitment, support and training of staff and volunteers.

Main Requirements 

• Educated to degree level or above in a relevant sector. 
• Demonstrable senior retail management knowledge and experience in managing complex projects, leading teams, and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Proven track record in income growth, financial planning, and managing budgets.

Benefits: 

• an annual paid leave entitlement of 30 working days plus bank holidays
• up to 6% matched-pension contributions
• enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions
• eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers
• cycle to work scheme
• investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.

To Apply:

• Apply via the Family Action Careers Hub linked to this advert 

• Closing Date: 7th July at 23:59

Interviews are scheduled to take place from 16th-22nd July 2025.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required.

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role and will reimburse your travel cost if you attend an interview.

*Ordinarily Family Action appoints new starters at the starting point of the salary scale (with subsequent annual pay progression), unless you have experience that would justify appointment further up the salary scale or there are any other exceptional reasons.

Do you share our dream of a UK where poverty is a thing of the past? 

Founded in 2019, the Poverty Truth Network believes that this can only happen when those most impacted by poverty are at the heart of the movement to end it. Our specific contribution brings together people experiencing poverty with those with responsibilities for alleviating it. “Nothing About Us Without Us Is For Us.” 

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, we are recruiting for a Parliamentary Officer who will develop and coordinate effective links between the Poverty Truth Network and parliamentarians, promoting a relationally-based approach to policy development and legislation.

You will be a highly motivated person with a proven track record of developing and delivering strategies to influence policy and political stakeholders to achieve change, ideally within a parliamentary or government setting.

Key Tasks

• To develop, with appropriate input from the Director and Partnership Manager, the Network’s approach to engaging with parliamentarians (Politics Alongside) in line with its values and practices 
• To ensure that Poverty Truth Commissioners are at the heart of the Network’s parliamentary engagement
• To develop and, where appropriate, establish links with UK and devolved Parliaments and governments to promote the work of the Network 
• To coordinate and help to deliver parliamentary events on behalf of the Network, including mapping topics and attendees, working with other partners as appropriate 
• To support the development of effective links with Combined Authorities and other devolved administrations
• To work closely with members of the Amplify Team to promote its groups proposals for change
• To support parliamentary engagement, including through written briefings, for the Network’s other national programmes, including Economics for All
• To work with the Communications and Learning & Evaluation Officers to promote and identify best practice to governments and parliaments
• To undertake other appropriate duties as requested by the Partnership Manager

This role involves working from home with some travel.

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for policy, public affairs, and media? Do you thrive on influencing change at the highest levels and leading impactful campaigns?

The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of External Affairs to lead a high-performing team and drive our external engagement strategy. This is a pivotal role in a respected medical charity, where your work will directly support doctors and improve patient outcomes.

The Head of External Affairs will lead a talented team of experts with focus on building the RCR’s influence, authority and impact across government and the health sector. Bringing together policy, public affairs, campaigns, AI, census and insight and media, the external affairs team will drive the agenda for change in our key policy areas, ensuring that our positions on workforce, cancer, AI and more are heard and listened to by decision makers; that the RCR is seen as the authority on all things radiology and oncology; and that our positions are clear and unequivocal.

What you’ll do:

• Policy – Lead the development of evidence-based, clinically informed policy outputs that influence change through public affairs, media, and stakeholder engagement.
• Census and Insight – Oversee the delivery of impactful Censuses and ensure all external affairs work is grounded in robust data, insight, and real-world case studies.
• Public Affairs – Drive strategic engagement with parliamentary stakeholders and build partnerships to amplify the RCR’s influence on key health policy issues.
• Press and Media Relations – Secure high-profile, targeted media coverage aligned with RCR priorities; support Officers as expert spokespeople and foster strong media relationships.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Build and maintain influential relationships across the health sector, government, and within the RCR to extend reach and impact.
• AI Strategy – Secure the RCR’s place as a leading organisation in the healthcare space by driving the development of expert thought leadership, impactful programmes of work and a solid AI strategy for the College
• Leadership and Management – Manage and inspire a multidisciplinary team across data and insight, policy, public affairs, media and AI, ensuring strategic alignment and high performance.

What you’ll need:

• Significant experience of delivering high profile external affairs strategies for complex organisations.
• Experience of influencing and effecting change in government policy through public affairs.
• Experience in developing high impact campaigns across a wide stakeholder landscape
• Demonstrable experience of turning evidence-based policy into compelling asks through both targeted and broader campaigns
• Experience leading a policy team.
• Ability to translate complex policy into succinct and clear messages.
• Ability to lead and motivate a cross functional team 
• Ability to influence others
• Good interpersonal skills.

Why join us?

• Make a difference to the lives of Doctors and the specialities they work in every day!
• Hybrid working (60% working week can be done remotely)
• Modern working environment
• Equipment provided to work from home
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Excellent pension scheme
• Interest free season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

Head of Policy and Public Affairs

We’re looking for a Head of Policy and Public Affairs to lead our policy and influencing activity at Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the UK’s leading charity uniting for a life unlimited for everyone with cystic fibrosis (CF). Could that be you?

It’s a time of intense and rapid change in the experiences of people with CF and within the NHS and wider external environment. We’re looking for someone with extensive, proven experience of leading high-impact policy and advocacy activity who can ensure that we keep pace with these changes, in support of our mission of a life unlimited for everyone with CF. 

A confident communicator, you’ll need to be able to engage and inspire those around you to develop and deliver planned and reactive advocacy activity that is well-targeted and persuasive. You’ll need to juggle multiple projects from commissioning policy research, to developing and overseeing consultation responses, responding to key moments in the political calendar, briefing senior stakeholders and managing partnership working. 

From tackling the additional costs associated with a lifelong condition like CF, to championing specialist CF care and a vibrant research environment and ensuring swift access to essential new treatments, this is a pivotal role that provides huge opportunity to deliver vital impact for people affected by CF. 

To be the right candidate for this role, you will have:

• Substantial experience of developing and leading integrated policy and advocacy plans
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present to various audiences
• Extensive experience in public affairs and campaigning work
• A strong understanding of the UK policy and public affairs landscape
• Proven experience in leading and inspiring a team

We offer a range of benefits including flexible working, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time staff), opportunities for learning and development, pension, healthcare cash plan and more.

Closing date for completed applications is 9am on Monday 16th June 2025

First interviews expected week commencing 23rd June 2025

Second interviews expected week commencing 30th June 2025

We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date if necessary.  Therefore, if you are interested in this role, please submit your application as early as possible.

Please note you will need to have the right to work in the UK before starting work for us and we will check this. 

How to apply

Please see the job description for more information on the role. If you would like to discuss the role before applying, please contact us.

To apply, please select ‘Apply Now’ and complete our application form and equal opportunities form.

Cystic Fibrosis Trust aims to be an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs, can be themselves and achieve their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain staff with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives; particularly people who have cystic fibrosis; people who identify as being from an ethnic minority group, as LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities.

It is our policy not to discriminate against any person because of their age, gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability (physical and mental), race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation or union membership.

REF-221 789

Do you want to lead a policy and public affairs team for a high-profile campaigning charity? Do you want to use your skills and experience to deliver a policy and public affairs workstream that drives legislative change? Have you got experience leading a policy and public affairs team in a dynamic environment? If this is you, then apply to join us as HEAD OF POLICY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS at Stonewall.
 
Role Responsibilities
 
• Lead the Policy and Public Affairs team to deliver Stonewall's vision, using your specialist experience to deliver results.
• Lead the design and delivery of Stonewall's policy and advocacy work to advance Stonewall's objectives with policy makers, stakeholders and in parliament.
• Be accountable for building and maintaining key political and stakeholder relationships aligned to our policy priorities.
• Ensure that Stonewall's Policy team contributes develops effective policy positions, and is outcome focused.
• Be responsible for performance management, behaviour and standards of both you and your team

Stonewall is a LGBTQ charity. Over the last 35 years, we have helped create transformative change in the lives of LGBTQ people in the UK. Our campaigns drive positive change in public attitudes and public policy.

You would be a key part of a team of driven, passionate people who are working together to deliver meaningful and tangible progress for LGBTQ people.

For this role we are looking for significant experience working in a high-profile policy space, partnering with think tanks, and policy makers to effect change.

Location: Remote
Salary: £60,000
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract
 
Closing Date: 20 June 2025
 
You may also have experience in the following: Public Affairs Manager, Head of Policy, Policy Manager, Public Relations Coordinator, External Affairs Coordinator, Policy Advocacy Coordinator, Community Engagement Specialist, Stakeholder Relations Manager, Public Affairs Officer, Government Affairs Coordinator, or Corporate Affairs
 
REF-222075

We are looking for an ambitious senior marketing/communications professional to lead our external affairs function, to develop and deliver the charity’s media strategy, build and maintain strategic relationships and identify opportunities to improve external impact. 

Making The Leap is an innovative social justice charity that aims to make a big difference. From direct delivery, to advocacy and leadership, we refuse to stay in our lane and believe passionately that those we exist to serve have the right to be anything they want to be. To say that this is an exciting time for the organisation would be an understatement, as our incredible funders, donors, partners and supporters have given us the chance to move to the next level, and have further influence and delivery nationally.

The shared soul of the organisation is to be passionate about helping young people from less-advantaged backgrounds; build up other charities and community groups and want to partner with them or support them; want to work with businesses and organisations to get things done; and care deeply about addressing racial inequity.

The organisation has a number of strands: core Making The Leap; the UK Social Mobility Awards; the Social Mobility Podcast; The Social Mobility List and Black Charity Leaders. 

The role of Head of Communications and PR at the Society of Authors oversees the strategic communications for the UK’s leading author body – with many exciting and important stories to tell.

Responsible for all aspects of the SoA’s external communications, you will develop integrated communications and campaign strategies that reflect our values of being member-focused, authoritative, supportive, and inclusive of all UK authors.

You will be proactive about promoting, protecting, and campaigning on authors’ interests through strategic communications and campaigns. You will work collaboratively with the Policy and Public Affairs team, and with all departments at the Society of Authors (SoA). The Head of Communications and PR will focus on developing and delivering strategies to raise the SoA’s profile, influence, and visibility. 

This role will play a leadership role in delivering our ambitious policy influencing programme, helping to shape and implement influencing plans to bring about the changes needed to reduce, prevent and eventually end the need for food banks in the UK.  It will provide management and oversight to some of our strategic projects.

Role responsibilities

· Developing and implementing Trussell’s influencing strategy

Working with teams across the organisation to ensure key groups, including our community of food banks, corporate partners, churches and church-related organisations have a clear role in our policy influencing approach.

· Planning and delivering impactful public affairs activity

Ensuring systems are in place to help plan, monitor and evaluate public affairs activity and maximise opportunities to engage with key audiences, including Parliamentarians, advisers, and UK Government Ministers; and support close working with colleagues in all UK nations and regions.  Managing the development and delivery of public affairs activity to support high profile influencing campaigns.

· Building and managing strong relationships with key external stakeholders

Developing relationships, partnerships and networks to help raise the profile, credibility and influence of Trussell and our policy positions, particularly in the UK Parliament.  Representing Trussell and promoting the organisation’s policy position to key audiences, including in meetings and events with Parliamentarians.

· Developing public affairs support to the food bank community

Working closely with a small team of Network Policy and Research Officers and the Organising and Local Mobilisation team to support our community of food banks to build and maintain strong relationships with their local MPs.  Ensuring public affairs activity is well aligned to campaign strategies involving the food bank network.

· Embedding participatory approaches across our public affairs and wider influencing activity

Supporting further development of a participatory approach to policy influencing to ensure it is rooted in the lived experience of individuals affected by poverty.  This includes ensuring an ethical approach in line with our values.

· Providing advice and line management

Have line management responsibility for individuals within the team, providing pastoral and development guidance along with task management on key projects.  This includes regular 1:1s, objective setting and collaborative monitoring, and support with development needs.

Person Specification

Technical skills and minimum knowledge:

· Track record of successfully influencing politicians and key decision-makers to achieve strategic goals at different levels of government.

· Track record of delivering strategic public affairs activity based on robust evidence, from development to evaluation.

· Can explain components of effective policy influencing, including knowledge of the machinery and structure of government (UK, devolved, local) and experience of informing campaigns activity to mobilise support for policy change.

· Demonstrates a good understanding of policies that affect UK poverty and hunger.  Can explain policy motivations of main political parties and can advise on how to influence them most effectively.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills, particularly in demonstrating enthusiasm and experience when communicating complex topics to non-specialist audiences.

· Experience of line managing, including dealing with performance issues and supporting team development.

Behaviours and competencies:

· Works collaboratively, managing challenges in a constructive manner

· Balances competing priorities and work to tight deadlines

· Demonstrates a dedication to the values of Trussell

· Demonstrates empathy for people from disadvantages, marginalised or socially excluded backgrounds

· Role models inclusive behaviour, values and leadership

Job overview

Becoming the Head of Principal Donors at the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women is a fantastic opportunity to be part of lasting progress for women across the globe, ultimately contributing to a fairer, more equal and prosperous world.

You will lead and manage the Foundation’s philanthropy programme, working closely with our senior leadership team, the CEO and our founder to personally cultivate and steward the Foundation’s principal donors. This includes overseeing our recently formed Accelerate Circle – a select group of visionary philanthropists who help drive the Foundation’s fundraising through their networks.

We are seeking an exceptional relationship manager who thrives on external engagement and networking with key stakeholders. You will have a proven track record of establishing and managing global communities of HNWIs and fundraising volunteers, raising high six figure or seven figure donations annually.

In this role, you will be responsible for over £1 million of unrestricted income critical to delivering the Foundation’s goal of reaching one million women entrepreneurs. You will deliver excellent stewardship of our existing donors and cultivate new prospects.

Do you have experience in health or research policy development and advocacy? Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity are hiring a Head of Policy to develop our first ever policy and advocacy function. As Head of policy, you will be a key spokesperson for the charity and will ensure that we are using our brand and our voice to advocate for the needs of seriously ill children and their families at Great Ormond Street Hospital and beyond.  

Salary

The salary for this position is £72,000 per annum and we operate a hybrid working policy of a minimum of 2 days in the office per week.
 

In line with our EDI strategy and Total Reward policy, we calculate our salaries based on benchmarking data across the charity sector. To ensure fairness for existing staff and new joiners, we do not offer salaries above the advertised rate. 

Key Responsibilities

This is a varied position where you’ll be responsible for:

Strategic policy leadership 

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive policy agenda, in line with our high level strategy for advocacy. 
• Overseeing the development of position papers, key policy messaging and response to government consultations. 
• Identifying emerging policy trends, analysing potential impacts and developing responses. 

Creating and leading a team

• Recruiting and developing a small team.
• Owning the policy and advocacy budget and work plan. 

Relationship building

• Developing relationships with the Charity’s local partners at the Trust and Institute of Child Health (ICH) to ensure alignment and engagement on key policy & advocacy initiatives.
• Building relationships with key parliamentarians and policy makers. 
• Representing the charity at key political or government events. 

Please refer to the full job description for more information. 

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Significant experience in policy development / strategic advocacy within a charitable organization, think tank, or public sector organisation.
• Previous success in shaping and influencing public policy.
• In-depth knowledge of the healthcare, research, paediatric care, or relevant public health policy landscape.
• Exceptional strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to interpret complex policy issues and translate them into clear, actionable strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including public speaking, stakeholder management, and the capacity to engage effectively with diverse audiences.
• Leadership qualities with strong team management skills and the ability to foster collaboration across departments.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)  
• A flexible approach to working arrangements.  
• Access to our enhanced pension scheme  
• Life assurance 
• Access to various health and wellbeing schemes, including the employee assistance programme. 

Head of Policy Insights

Hours: 0.8 FTE (four days a week) 

Location: Hybrid, with a focus on London. You’ll need to be in London to work from our office (near Victoria) one day a week and have about two other days per week to attend meetings with policy makers and our members. On other days you can work remotely or come into our office. Some nationwide travel expected for meetings and events. 

After passing probation, you’ll have up to six weeks ‘super remote’ working per year, where you can work anywhere in the world as long as you’re online for four hours of the UK workday.  

Holidays: 38 days per year, including our 3-day winter shut down and eight flexible bank holidays pro rata.

About the Fair Education Alliance

The Fair Education Alliance (FEA) unites 300 member organisations under a shared vision that no child’s success is limited by their socioeconomic background.  

Our members (charities and social enterprises, think tanks, businesses and foundations, youth organisations, unions, universities and schools) are working collectively to create an inclusive system. We exist to close the gap in educational outcomes between children from low-income households and their wealthier peers. 

This autumn, we’re kicking off our next strategic phase, which will take our work from neighbourhood to national, building a movement for systems change towards a fairer future for children and young people. 

Why we need you 

The gaps in educational outcomes between children from low-income households and their wealthier peers are staggering at every stage of education. This goes on to increase the likelihood that young people from low-income households will be out of employment, education, or training. We take a systems change approach to shifting the conditions that hold these inequities in place. With the next phase of our strategy underway—building a movement from neighbourhood to national—we need someone who can help us influence policy and practice with insight, evidence and urgency.  

We aim to bring insights from our diverse and expert membership to policymakers, ensuring that local, regional and national policies best serve children and young people from low-income backgrounds. We support members to organise around themes through our collective action working groups, which have advised Government on topics such as Family Hubs, the Curriculum and Assessment Review, and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, and will continue to contribute expertise to upcoming policy moments related to SEND, Skills England and Ofsted. We also support youth voice in policymaking through our Youth Steering Group, which has contributed independently to major policy developments, bringing valuable lived experience to decision-making. From September, we’ll also support members, young people and government bodies to craft regional policy and practice that benefits children and young people from low-income backgrounds.  

Our Digital Membership Tools (Member Directory and interactive Ecosystem Map) have the potential to play a crucial role in our policy work. These tools help members, funders, and policymakers target their work to where it is most needed. There is a wealth of data in these tools: the Ecosystem Map is the only place that marries up publicly available information about pupil demographics and outcomes with information about all 22,000 schools where our members are working. It shows where there is strong or weak provision related to different types of support, at a school, local authority, constituency, MAT or regional level, together with the outcomes pupils are achieving.  

We now need someone who can harness these assets to produce compelling insights and engage policymakers—from local authorities and combined authorities to central government and funders. This role will turn data into impact: creating clear, targeted reports that support decision-making, identifying gaps and opportunities, and helping us tell the story of how education can—and must—be fairer. 

What we’re asking of you

Develop a strategy to influence policy from neighbourhood to national  

You’ll lead our approach to turning insights into influence—connecting our data, member knowledge and youth voice to shape policy that improves outcomes for children and young people. That means designing a strategy that engages decision-makers at all levels, from civil servants and funders to combined authorities and Parliament. You’ll identify the right stakeholders and entry points, use our Ecosystem Map and Member Directory to generate targeted insights, and align our regional and national work for maximum impact.  

Translate data into insight—and insight into action  

You’ll be responsible for developing reports and briefings that tell powerful stories with data. Working closely with our Data Officer, you’ll design templates and processes to produce timely, high-quality outputs that are tailored to different audiences, and that enable the wider team to do so. You’ll complement our datasets with wider research and trends, and ensure our insights are used by both internal colleagues and external stakeholders to inform programmes, policy and funding decisions.  

Engage senior stakeholders and building meaningful relationships  

You’ll represent the Alliance in meetings, roundtables, and events—sharing evidence and building trusted relationships with policymakers, civil servants, and funders. You’ll understand their priorities, and tailor our insights accordingly. This is a two-way relationship: you’ll also feed what you learn, ensuring that our influencing work is responsive and grounded in both national priorities and lived experience.  

Manage projects and continuously improve our tools  

You’ll oversee the systems and processes that make our insights work possible—ensuring reporting cycles are efficient, quality is consistent, and new datasets are brought into our tools where they add value. You’ll help embed insights across the FEA team, supporting colleagues to use data from the Tools in their work and helping to identify emerging opportunities. You will evaluate the impact of your approaches and strategise for the future of the Tools and our influencing work. You’ll also work with our funders to report on the impact of the tools and shape their future development.  

Commitment to equity and systems change  

We’re looking for someone who cares deeply about improving the lives of children and young people from low-income backgrounds. You’ll understand how education intersects with wider social systems—and bring a clear-eyed view of what needs to change. While direct policy or public affairs experience is a bonus, what matters most is that you’re motivated by impact, passionate about equity, and excited by the opportunity to work collaboratively to shift the system. 

See the job description attached for a full job specification and application instructions.  

Are you confident working with senior leaders and navigating complex relationships? Do you have the diplomacy and judgement to support strong governance in a fast-paced environment?

We're looking for a Head of Governance and Compliance to work closely with our CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. This is a vital role at the centre of the organisation, supporting a wide range of influential individuals. The Head of Governance and Compliance will need to adapt to varied working styles and expectations, with the ability to approach all relationships with professionalism, clarity and care.

As Head of Governance and Compliance, you will lead our governance function, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance while enabling effective decision-making. With strong governance experience, sound judgement and the ability to build trust at all levels, you will support effective leadership and accountability across the MND Association.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and continuously develop the governance function, embedding best practices aligned with our strategy and values.
• Act as the primary trusted advisor on governance, risk and regulatory matters to the Chair, Board, CEO and Executive Leadership Team.
• Lead and develop governance frameworks, policies and structures that reflect best practice.
• Oversee planning and delivery of all governance activities, including Board meetings, Committee meetings, and the AGM.
• Provide clear structured agendas, timely papers and accurate minutes to support effective governance meetings.
• Maintain governance records and ensure regulatory compliance with Companies House and the Charity Commission.
• Monitor and report on governance performance, risks and improvement areas.
• Take a leading role in managing and enabling constructive and challenging relationships between the Board, Chair, and ELT.
• Manage trustee recruitment, induction, training and succession planning.
• Oversee the organisation's policy framework and serious complaints process, ensuring appropriate enquiry and learning.
• Lead the development and implementation of the risk management framework in line with Board expectations.
• Stay informed on legal, regulatory and sector developments and advise the organisation on implications.

About You:

• Strong knowledge of UK charity and company law.
• Proven experience working with Boards and senior leaders in a governance role.
• Skilled in developing governance policies, frameworks and risk management processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Good level of financial acumen within a governance role.
• High levels of discretion, judgement and political awareness.
• Able to work independently, make sound decisions and prioritise effectively.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to build strong relationships and influence sensitively.
• Committed to inclusion, ethical practice and continuous learning.
• CGI qualified or working towards qualification (desirable).

About Us:

Our vision is a world free from MND. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.

What We Offer:

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays.
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies.
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video.
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines.
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave).
• Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping.
• Enhanced pension scheme.
• Opportunities for training and personal development.
• Hybrid working.

The full job description is available in the candidate pack.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

Hybrid Working and Flexibility: This role offers hybrid working, with the expectation to attend the office 2 days per week.

This role can be based from Northampton or London.

Interview Dates:

First stage interview: Thursday 17^th July, in-person at our Northampton office

Second stage interview: Thursday 24^th July, in-person at our London office.

How to apply:

Please submit a CV and supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be no longer than one side of A4 and demonstrate how you meet the following areas of the role.

• Substantial experience in governance, preferably in a charity or membership organisation.
• Proven ability to work with Boards and senior leadership.
• Experience developing governance frameworks and policies.

Important Information:

• We may close applications early if we receive a high volume, so early submissions are encouraged.
• If you require sponsorship for this role, please clearly indicate this in your application.
• Depending on the role, a DBS check may be required.
• If you need reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us for support.

If you have the expertise and approach to support the work of our Board and senior team, we would love to hear from you!