Head of Policy and Public Affairs

Annual leave: 33 days (plus eight bank holidays)
Benefits:

• enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental pay
• family-friendly policies
• 8% employer pension contribution (Aviva) 
• three x basic salary life assurance cover
• free health cashback plan (Medicash): employee cover plus up to four dependent children
• 24/7 virtual GP access (UK registered), plus access to Best Doctors
  free, confidential employee assistance programme (Medicash)
• access to a wellbeing app
• flexible working options including hybrid working, flexible working patterns such as part-time, compressed hours, and more*
• learning and development opportunities including bespoke training and access to LinkedIn Learning)
• commitment to employee health and wellbeing.
• we have a Menopause Friendly accreditation and are a Disability Confident employer

This is a pivotal senior leadership role within Dementia UK, responsible for shaping and delivering the charity’s UK-wide policy and public affairs strategy to drive meaningful change for people affected by dementia.

The Head of Policy and Public Affairs will lead a dynamic team, providing strategic direction and expert insights to ensure the organisation’s influencing work is impactful, evidence-based, and aligned with its 2025–2030 strategy.

The postholder will play a central role in positioning Dementia UK as a thought leader in dementia care, championing the role of Admiral Nurses and ensuring that the lived experiences of people with dementia and their families are embedded in all policy outputs and public affairs activity.

Working closely with the Deputy Director of Policy, Campaigns and Public Affairs, and the Head of Campaigns, the postholder will lead the development and implementation of integrated influencing strategies across the UK, recognising the nuances of devolved governments and regional contexts. They will build and maintain relationships with high impact stakeholders in parliament, government, and across the sector to secure tangible policy improvements in dementia care and support.

To be successful in this role, you will bring significant experience working within policy and public affairs with proven experience of leading policy development from evidence-gathering through to publication and implementation. You will have a proven ability to lead, inspire and manage teams alongside a deep understanding of UK health and social care systems, including devolved policy landscapes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence national agendas and help ensure no one faces dementia alone.

Our culture

In addition to a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, we truly value our people. It’s important for us to create a workplace culture that looks after our people to support them in achieving their full potential. You will become part of a diverse and dedicated team who are supported to use and develop their skills. We recognise and value the key role you will play in delivering our strategic plans for the benefit of those living with dementia.  

Our staff have a voice. Representatives from different roles and levels across the organisation lead and positively contribute to our working groups around health and wellbeing, menopause, and equity, diversity and inclusion.  

Our supportive and nurturing workplace culture has recently earnt us recognition as the Sunday Times Best Place to Work in the non-profit and charities sector 2025 (big organisation).  

Dementia UK is proud to welcome everyone. We aim for a truly inclusive culture with talented, diverse teams that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. We celebrate differences and individuality and encourage everyone to join us and be their whole selves always.

Dementia UK is a Disability Confident employer. 

By applying to join Dementia UK, you acknowledge that in the event you are successful for the role, any offer and your ongoing employment will be conditional on you having or obtaining the right to work in the UK. 

*Please note that any decision on flexible working is based on business needs