Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager

Help us achieve our vision that fewer people die by suicide.

Suicide can be prevented but urgent action is needed. We are looking for an experienced Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager to lead our work to mobilise our campaigners and maximise our political relationships to push for action to prevent suicide.

Samaritans is the UK and Ireland’s leading suicide prevention charity. While we are best known for listening to those who need us, we also work to influence change through our policy, advocacy campaigning and relationships with political stakeholders.

The Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns team of five works alongside people with lived experience, our campaigners, supporters and volunteers to push for the public policy and legal changes that will help us achieve our vision. We work to achieve system change through our work with the Westminster parliament, UK Government departments, policy makers and service leads, alongside our offices in the nations. We're looking for a Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager to lead this area of work.

We know that to make a real difference to those who are affected by suicide, we need to drive meaningful change in UK legislation and policy, funding and research.

If you're a strategic thinker with a track record of successfully influencing for change, we'd love to hear from you.

Contract terms:

• £42,000 - £44,000 per annum, plus benefits
• Permanent
• 35 hours per week (full-time)
• We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences
• Hybrid, linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office
• We value meeting in person and working collaboratively. We work in person around 2 days or more per month. This role will also involve regular travel to Westminster.
• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

What you'll be doing:

You'll lead our public affairs and advocacy campaigns work focused on influencing decision-makers and driving advocacy campaigns.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Overseeing our advocacy campaigning activity across England and line managing the Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer, ensuring that our advocacy campaigns are rooted in lived experience, and that our supporters have a positive ongoing experience. 
• Leading the implementation of our public affairs and campaign strategies to achieve change on Samaritan’s key influencing priorities
• Identifying, creating, and evaluating opportunities and mechanisms to increase political engagement and persuade decision makers to take positive action on suicide prevention 
• Identifying, cultivating and maintaining excellent relationships across the UK parliament and key political decision makers. 
• Working across the charity to connect all of our relevant work to Parliamentary audiences, including support for Samaritans branches and volunteers on public affairs activities
• You’ll play a pivotal role in leading our efforts to drive meaningful change to help prevent suicide. 

What you’ll bring:

• Great people skills with the ability to turn contacts into action
• Proven experience in successfully influencing within the UK Parliament
• Experience of leading effective advocacy campaigns and trialling new and exciting campaign tactics
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences effectively
• A passion for involving people with lived experience in your campaigns and public affairs work

For full details, please see the Job Description and Person Specification

Why Samaritans?

At Samaritans, you’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission. You’ll be part of a collaborative and supportive team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.

We offer flexible hybrid working, great benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland. To find out more about Samaritans, please read our recruitment brochure.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the people we support and who support us. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels seen, heard and supported, at all levels of the organisation.

Apply now

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we’d love for you to apply. You will be asked to answer some short application questions and to upload your CV. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Applications close: 20th September 2026

Interviews: w/c 28th September

At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do. 

We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team. 

We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to generate your application or interview answers. We want to hear your own ideas, insights, and writing style so your unique strengths can shine through. We recognise that some candidates may use assistive technology or tools to help with accessibility, structure or grammar.