Head of media and communications jobs in Cambridge

Shine supports a community of over 15,000 members living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, including 5,000 children and young people (0–25).

You will be delivering high-quality support and creating opportunities for children and young people living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and their families/carers. Supporting Shine members to lead healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives by improving condition management and fostering connections within the Shine community. 

This role will focus on children and young people (0–25), you will be primarily working within the Children, Young People and Families team. However, there will be occasions when you will work across age groups to ensure the best outcomes for our members. 

The role is home-based but you will be required to attend regular clinics in London including GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital). Other travel across Southern England including Bristol, Devon and Hampshire may be required. There will be occasional travel required across wider areas and nationally including attendance at events, conferences and meetings at our head office in Peterborough. 

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary: Review due April 2027 

• Regular working hours, and no shift work (some very occasional weekends or evenings)   

• 3% pension contribution 

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year 

• Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’ 

• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave 

• Broadband allowance for home-based roles 

• Life insurance after 12 months’ employment   

• Access to our Employee Support Programme and Mental Health First Aiders  

• Support to learn and develop  

How to apply  

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job.  

If you would like to discuss the role please email Gill Valentine, Deputy CEO, to arrange a convenient time for a call.  

To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria.

*Please note applications without a supporting statement will not be accepted* 

We understand that you may wish to use AI tools to help you with some aspects of your application, but we do expect tailored applications which are personalised to your experiences and not generic applications which are completely AI generated. We encourage candidates to be transparent about AI usage in their applications.  

Closing date:  Monday 17th May 2026 at 11pm  

Interviews:  Tuesday 26th May 2026  (Virtual) 

Please note: we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible.  

Please see full details on the Job Description and Person Specification document below and on our website.

• Travel required: 15 days / year (approx.)
• Location: Home-based in either UK, Germany or Spain.

We are seeking a Researcher to support the activities of the Patient Evidence Department of Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE).

Please send your CV and cover letter at recruitment @mpeurope. org. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, Germany or Spain. Applications without a cover letter will be rejected. 

The following tasks and core responsibilities are non-exhaustive and subject to change depending on needs of the organisation.

Job Purpose

The Researcher will support the Patient Evidence department in generating, analysing and communicating patient-centred evidence to inform clinical, regulatory, industry, academic and policy decision-making, and to fuel progress across MPE programmes and activities. The role involves working with qualitative and quantitative data, supporting research projects and contributing to evidence-based outputs that amplify patients’ experiences and needs. The Patient Evidence department conducts our own patient-focussed research and collaborates on external projects with patient and medical organisations, universities, clinical teams, industry partners and regulatory bodies.

Main Duties and responsibilities

Perform the following duties in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Head of Patient Research:

• Independently design research projects and develop research protocols aligned with MPE’s research strategy, including surveys, interviews and literature reviews.
• Support the development of proposals to secure public and private funding to support research activities.
• Independently conduct assigned research tasks in accordance with project deliverables and timelines.
• Conduct and analyse qualitative (interviews, focus groups) and quantitative research (surveys).
• Conduct desk research (systematic and non-systematic literature reviews) on topics such as patient experiences, health systems and psychosocial impacts of myeloma.
• Maintain accurate records of participant data, safeguarding the confidentiality of participants and patient data, as necessary.
• Write up research results and prepare visualisations of data for different audiences (including for patients, clinicians, academic journals).
• Disseminate research results including presentations at international and national conferences, internal and external meetings and workshops. Represent MPE at internal/external meetings when needed.
• Collaborate with communications colleagues to design strategies to disseminate our research to wider audiences.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop recruitment and involvement strategies to enhance participation from underserved groups and from different parts of Europe.
• Engage with patients, families, clinicians, patient organisations and other stakeholders involved in MPE patient evidence projects and other myeloma research.
• Provide administrative and organisational support for the Research Advisory Committee.
• Contribute to our member research support training programme including delivering workshops and training events on research design and methodology.

Other responsibilities

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of Patient evidence.
• Critically appraise and provide advice to the wider MPE team on research and evidence requests.
• Build good relations with members, internal and external stakeholders (including doctors, researchers and medical representatives within companies).
• Respond to external patient organisations’ requests on research and evidence topics.
• Attend scientific congresses and meetings and stay abreast of important developments related to myeloma patient evidence.
• Develop content for MPE website, social media and other communications.
• Participate in advisory boards for the pharmaceutical industry.
• Engage with training and continuing professional development.

Essential criteria

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (such as psychology, social sciences, health policy, health and social care, public health or related fields)
• Master’s degree in a relevant subject (MRes Health Research, MPH, or health-related subject MSc with substantive research component)
• A minimum of 3 years experience conducting applied health research
• Knowledge and experience of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies including surveys, focus groups and interviews applied to health-related research
• Strong skills in qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods analysis.
• Understanding of principles of Good Clinical Practice in research.
• Proficient at Office suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint (or equivalent), and specialist quantitative/qualitative analysis software (e.g. SPSS/R, or Atlas/Nvivo).
• Ability to work from home in a virtual setting with a team spread across Europe.
• Strong listening, communication and presentation skills.
• Rigorous work methods and high attention to detail.
• Demonstrated excellence in writing, proofreading, and editing in English.

Desirable criteria

• A PhD in a related field
• Project management experience
• Experience in cross-national research
• Experience in working with patients, researchers, doctors and representatives from the pharmaceutical industry desirable
• Experience in systematic or non-systematic literature review
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Familiarity with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and patient experience data
• Knowledge/expertise of cancer patient experience research
• Knowledge of drug development process and clinical trials
• Knowledge and experience of ethical review procedures
• Fluency in additional European languages

Personal attributes

• Organised, with excellent project management and time management skills.
• Ability to lead and work independently on assigned tasks and take appropriate initiative.
• A motivated and self-aware team player, who can work independently or collaboratively with equal success.
• Ability to explain complex scientific terms and knowledge into lay language.

We offer:

• Opportunity to contribute to impactful, patient-centred work at a European level.
• An exciting position in the emerging field of evidence-based patient advocacy, working together with key patient advocacy leaders across Europe.
• Permanent position with flexible hours giving the opportunity to progress and to integrate in a dynamic, friendly and multi-cultural team working from different European cities.

About MPE

Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) is a pan-European organisation representing 57 myeloma and amyloidosis patient groups from over 35 European countries. It is registered as an international non-profit organisation under Belgian Law. A Board mainly composed of patients and caregivers is elected by the membership to oversee the strategy and governance of the organisation. A team of 14 staff members runs remotely the day-to-day operations, programmes and services within 4 divisions: Access and Policy, Medical Education and Scientific Engagement, Patient Evidence and Member and Patient Community Programmes.

MPE’s vision is a world where every person affected by myeloma has access to the knowledge, diagnostics, treatment and care they need to have the best possible outcomes and quality of life.

Our mission is to drive advocacy by empowering the myeloma community through research, education and collaboration.

Read more about our strategic goals for 2025-2030 here: w ww.mpeurope.or g/about-mpe/our-goals/

About the Patient Evidence department

The MPE Patient Evidence department was established in 2020 to generate evidence to better understand and articulate patients’ perspectives, influence decision-makers and use evidence as a driving force for progress across our strategic goals.  The team is led by Dr Eilidh Duncan and our goal is to lead the development of robust patient evidence to improve experiences, outcomes and access for myeloma patients and their families. We achieve this by spearheading novel patient research initiatives that address gaps in the evidence and ensure the meaningful inclusion of patient perspectives in research design, conduct and interpretation. We use the evidence we generate internally to fuel progress across all MPE programmes and activities and externally by decision-makers including those in clinical, regulatory, industry, academic and policy settings.

The deadline for applications is 1 May 2026 and all applications will be reviewed immediately afterwards. Our hiring team will schedule interviews with successful candidates to take place in the following weeks. We will be in touch following the review period regarding next steps. 

If you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to us at our recruitment email address.

Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Regional Public Affairs Manager 

Starting Salary: £50,582 (if based outside London); £53,777 (if based in London) 

Contract: Full-time, permanent contract (we are open to conversations about different ways of working - so please ask) 

Location: Remote role - can be based anywhere in England or Wales with an expectation of frequent travel across England and Wales 

About Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable foundation, backed by Lloyds Banking Group and the people within it. We want everyone to be in a good place - personally, in a home that’s a good place to live, and in a community that’s a good place to belong. 

We play our role by connecting and catalysing community-led change, providing the money, time, tools and connections that build organisations’ capacity and capability, to make people’s lives better and their communities stronger. 

We back people and communities across England and Wales, to make that happen, because when you back brilliant people, brilliant things happen. Our communities are full of ambitious, energetic and determined people stepping up to make their neighbours’ lives better and their communities grow stronger. Day in, day out. 

About the Role 

This is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of impactful public affairs and influencing activity, strengthening regional voice and national impact. 

As Regional Public Affairs Manager, you will work closely with colleagues to support influencing activity across England and Wales, helping to build confidence, capability, and effectiveness. You will support engagement with decision-makers, campaigns, and partnerships, ensuring activity is aligned and impactful. 

You will play a key role in connecting local insight to national influencing, identifying emerging themes and helping to shape wider organisational priorities. You will also build relationships with external stakeholders, supporting activity that raises the Foundation’s profile and impact. 

About You

We’re looking for someone with experience in public affairs, policy, or influencing, particularly at local or regional level. You will have experience of supporting or delivering influencing activity and working with a range of stakeholders. 

You will be a strong relationship builder who combines practical delivery with the ability to use insight and evidence to inform work. A good understanding of the UK political landscape and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is essential. 

How to Apply 

Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. 

For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact our recruitment partner, Atkinson HR via the information in the candidate pack.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

We hold Disability Confident Employer status (Level 2) and are working towards full status by 2027. This means that if you're a disabled applicant and your CV and application answers clearly demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria for the role, we will invite you to interview. 

More broadly, we are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities and people we work with. We believe that diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger and helps us make better decisions. We actively welcome applications from people who are under-represented in the charity sector, including people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, disabled people, and those with experience of the issues our funded charities work to address. 

Key Dates 

Closing Date: Wednesday 13th May 2026 

Optional Q&A Session: Wednesday 6th May 2026 at 09:00-10:00 

First Interview: Friday 22nd May 2026 

Second Interview: Wednesday 3rd June 2026 

Dreams Come True is an ambitious UK charity creating life‑changing dreams for children facing serious illness, disability and poverty. Driven by impact, relationships and creativity, we work with passionate partners to turn generosity into moments that truly change lives.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our small but mighty Dream Team, to continue to build on the growth we’ve seen in Corporate Fundraising. Over the past four years, our corporate fundraising programme has grown from early foundations into a dynamic, high‑performing income stream — now generating £450,000 annually and shows no sign of slowing down.

We have recently increased the salary for this role to reflect both the success of the programme and the significant opportunity ahead. With the right person in post, there is real potential to take this work even further.

You will manage and expand an inspiring portfolio of corporate partners including The Big Table Group, BSI, Tradeweb, Individual Restaurants, Howden, and Love Holidays. Our partners are not just supporters — they are part of our extended community of “Dream makers”, helping us create life‑changing experiences for children living with serious illness, disability and poverty.

*Successful candidates will be notified by the 13th of May*