Advocacy and Campaigns Manager

Job Summary

The Advocacy and Campaigns Manager will play a crucial role in shaping and delivering Put Children First, the advocacy and campaigning initiative of Alder Hey Children’s Charity. The post holder will be responsible for influencing decision-makers, engaging stakeholders, and leading impactful campaigns to ensure children’s health and wellbeing are prioritised in public policy.  

This role requires a strategic thinker with strong public affairs expertise, policy understanding, and excellent communication skills. The campaign is child led and will involve working with children to raise their voice. The post holder will also work with politicians, policymakers, clinicians and internal stakeholders, partner organisations, and the public to advocate for change, ensuring that Alder Hey Children’s Charity is a leading voice in children’s health policy and advocacy. This role is one of the first with a charity aligned to an NHS Trust and will appeal to someone with a strong desire to pioneer advocacy and campaigning in a unique setting. 
 

Main Duties/Tasks 

Advocacy & Campaigning Strategy  

• Work with the Head of Marketing & Communications to develop and deliver a proactive and inclusive advocacy and campaigning strategy to drive meaningful policy change that benefits children’s health. 

• Identify and respond to policy developments, advising on how Alder Hey Children’s Charity can influence key decision-makers and stakeholders. 

• Lead campaign planning and execution, ensuring activities engage supporters, stakeholders, and policymakers effectively. 

• Develop and manage partnerships with other charities, organisations, and networks to amplify the impact of the charity’s advocacy work. 

• Work with external agencies where necessary to develop and deliver plans, being the key point of contact.  

Public Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement  

• Build strong relationships with MPs, government departments, local authorities, and policymakers at national and regional levels. 

• Represent Alder Hey Children’s Charity and Put Children First in parliamentary briefings, policy roundtables, and stakeholder meetings. 

• Monitor political and policy developments relevant to children's health, providing insightful briefings and recommendations to senior leadership. 

• Support senior leaders and Trustees in their engagement with political and policy stakeholders, ensuring they are well-briefed and strategically positioned. 

• Engage with children and families to ensure their voices are central to the advocacy work, developing plans to engage under represented communities.  

Policy Development & Thought Leadership 

• Translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling narratives that drive awareness and action. 

• Work with colleagues to develop policy briefings, reports, and consultation responses, ensuring Alder Hey Children’s Charity is a credible and informed voice in the sector. 

• Work with the Head of Marketing & Communications to position the charity as a thought leader on children’s health policy, ensuring its voice is heard in key debates and discussions. 

• Identify opportunities to influence policy discussions through submissions, evidence-gathering, and research collaborations. 

Media & Communications 

• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team to develop compelling messaging that supports advocacy goals. 

• Work with the charity’s Communications Advisory agency to secure media coverage on key issues, providing expert commentary and ensuring children’s health remains a priority in public debate. 

• Develop engaging and inclusive content for Put Children First, including press releases, blogs, social media, film and supporter communications. 

• Work with campaigners and families to amplify lived experiences in advocacy efforts, ensuring their voices are central to campaigns. 

Internal Collaboration & Leadership 

• Work closely with the fundraising teams, grants team, marketing and communications and the Trust’s Communications team to ensure advocacy work aligns with broader charity and Trust objectives. 

• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues on policy and public affairs matters, in consultation with the Head of Marketing and Communications where required. 

• Support the development of staff and volunteers as advocates for the charity’s policy positions. 

• Ensure all campaign activities align with Alder Hey Children’s Charity’s values and meet ethical and legal standards. 

• Any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager.