Head of External Affairs

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