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Do you want to work with a vibrant, dynamic and youth driven organisation that is committed to creating healthy futures for British children by improving the food system?
Be part of the creative, agile and growing team behind Bite Back’s exceptional teenage activists. Join us as our Senior Public Affairs Manager and contribute to our journey to help make the food system healthier and fairer.
We are seeking a Senior Public Affairs Manager, to lead our national public affairs activity, influencing the government to help deliver evidence-based policies that will make a real difference to children’s health. This is an exciting opportunity to work on the forefront of an urgent and politically salient policy area while also collaborating with young people to ensure their voices and lived experiences are heard by policymakers.
This is an exciting time to join Bite Back and take our public affairs strategy forward with the Government. We have already seen significant policy wins in the past year and have big ambitions to drive more progress in 2025. In 2024 our youth activists gave evidence to the House of Lords, hosted parliamentary drop-in sessions and made memorable appearances at party conference fringe sessions. This is an opportunity to build on that success and raise Bite Back’s profile even further amongst policymakers at a time when the Government is charting its new strategic approach to improving the food system as well as its 10 year plan to save the NHS. The Senior Public Affairs Manager will report to our Director of Strategy & Delivery and be responsible for developing and implementing all our public affairs activity, ensuring alignment with our campaigns team and working closely with our partners in other organisations to bring about meaningful change. This is a great opportunity for someone looking for the chance to lead high profile public affairs activity at an organisation with growing impact.
Please apply with a CV and a statement answering the following questions:
Give an example of a public affairs strategy you’ve built around a key moment for your organisation (report launch, event, campaign launch, polling, etc). (250 words max)
Give an example of how you’ve built a key relationship or relationships with policymakers which you have then used to advance the mission of your organisation. (250 words max)
Tell us how you would utilise the voices of our young activists to build relationships and consensus with politicians about food and nutrition policy. (250 words max)
OUR MISSION IS TO CHANGE THE WAY UNHEALTHY FOOD IS MADE, MARKETED AND SOLD, ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
External Affairs Adviser
Contract type: Permanent
Full time: 34.5 hours, we are open to a conversation about how you work these hours
Location: Hybrid or mobile worker (depending on where in the UK you are based) with regular travel expected. As part of our business need and commitment to having representation across the four nations of the UK, we will be prioritising applicants from Northern Ireland. However, we will be considering applications from across the UK.
Salary range: £35,200 - £39,200
About us
At Macmillanyou'llfind talented people working together to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer.We'regoing all out to find even better ways to help even more people who need our support. Our values are at the heart of who we are and everything we do, inspiring our thinking and guiding our actions.
Our organisational strategy sets out howwe’llfight even harder to make every pound raised count for even more. With your help,we’lltransform cancer care for good.
About the role
Do you have experience influencing change and navigating complex political systems? We are looking for an External Affairs Adviser to join our wider Partnerships team at Macmillan to help us to deliver meaningful change for people with cancer, particularly the most marginalised groups.
The External Affairs team is central to Macmillan’s work shaping change and influencing decision makers across the UK, and a key part of your role will be building and stewarding relationships with our external stakeholders.
As an External Affairs Adviser you’ll work flexibly across a whole range of influencing projects to shape the political agenda, which might be in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, at a regional level in England and in Westminster, reflecting our ambitious plans to deliver change for people with cancer across the whole of the UK.
You’ll be exposed to a variety of political systems, decision makers and ways of working that will allow you to build on and develop your skills in public affairs, policy analysis, relationship management and communication.
About you
The successful candidate will demonstrate the following skills and experience:
- Experience of influencing change - this might be from working in a charity, for a politician, in local or national government, a public affairs agency or think tank.
- Experience analysing and translating data and evidence into external messaging to influence a wide range of audiences.
- Experience of working in at least one political context in the UK, and willingness to adapt your skills to working within a wide range of influencing environments and different stakeholders.
- An adaptable approach, with a willingness to respond to quickly changing external circumstances and work at pace to navigate through complex issues.
- Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams and working collaboratively with others to deliver projects.
In return, we offer a range of benefits including:
- 25 days holiday plus flexible bank holiday options, increasing by 1 day every year of service up to 30 days
- Pension matched up to 7.5%
- 120+ learning and development offers, with access to external professional qualifications
- Flexible working patterns, such as compressed hours, flexibility to work earlier or later around our core working hours of 10am-4pm
- Holiday buying and selling scheme, life insurance, free wills, retail discounts and much more
Recruitment process
Application deadline: 23:59 on Monday 31st August
1st stage interviewdates:Virtual interviews will be held on the week commencing 14th September
2nd stage interview dates: Virtual interviews will be held on the week commencing 21st September
To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed.
So we can support you to be your best during the application or interview process, please contact Macmillan TA Team for advice and reasonable adjustments.
We welcome applications from everyone who meet the criteria and strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Macmillan. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategyalong with our internal employee representation body, ‘Our Voice’ and 8 Employee Network groups help us promote fairness and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
At Macmillan you'll find talented people working together to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Senior External Affairs Adviser
Contract type: Permanent
Full time: 34.5 hours, we are open to a conversation about how you work these hours
Location: Hybrid to our London, Shipley or Glasgow offices (typically once a month in office)
Salary range: £43,000 - £48,000
About us
At Macmillan you'll find talented people working together to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. We're going all out to find even better ways to help even more people who need our support. Our values are at the heart of who we are and everything we do, inspiring our thinking and guiding our actions.
Our organisational strategy sets out how we’ll fight even harder to make every pound raised count for even more. With your help, we’ll transform cancer care for good.
About the role
Join Macmillan Cancer Support as a Senior External Affairs Adviser, where you will play a vital role in shaping and delivering impactful change and external affairs strategies across the UK. Your work will focus on delivering at-scale change for people with cancer, particularly the most marginalised groups.
The External Affairs team is central to Macmillan’s work shaping change and influencing decision makers across the UK, and a key part of your role will be building and stewarding relationships with our external stakeholders.
As a Senior External Affairs Adviser you’ll work flexibly across a whole range of influencing projects to shape the political agenda, which might be in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, at a regional level in England and in Westminster, reflecting our ambitious plans to deliver change for people with cancer across the whole of the UK.
Key responsibilities:
- Provide senior-level advice to develop external affairs strategies aligned with Macmillan’s mission.
- Lead cross-functional external affairs projects that are evidence-based and impactful.
- Develop and manage relationships with political stakeholders, policymakers, civil servants and healthcare providers.
- Provide high-quality insight and briefings to senior colleagues on the political landscape, and what the external opportunities and risks are.
- Anticipate shifts within the external environment and adapt approaches to maintain our relevance and influence.
- Collaborate with teams to ensure policy positions are strategic and evidence-based.
- Represent Macmillan at external events, advocating for improvements in cancer care.
- Coordinate campaigns to influence public policy and funding decisions.
About you
The successful candidate will have...
- Proven ability to manage complex and sensitive external contexts, making sound judgements on tone and messaging.
- Strong understanding of operating within a four-nations context and engaging with diverse stakeholders, including senior politicians and civil servants.
- Expertise in analysing complex policy issues and developing impactful, evidence-based policy positions.
- Strong organisational skills and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and emerging issues.
- Excellent communication skills which are adaptable for external and internal audiences.
- Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams or on multi-disciplinary projects.
Recruitment process
Application deadline: 23:59 on Monday 31st August
1st stage interview dates: Virtual interviews will be held on the week commencing 7th September
2nd stage interview dates: Virtual interviews will be held on the weeks commencing 14th or 21st September
To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed.
So we can support you to be your best during the application or interview process, please contact Macmillan TA Team for advice and reasonable adjustments.
We welcome applications from everyone who meet the criteria and strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Macmillan. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy along with our internal employee representation body, ‘Our Voice’ and 8 Employee Network groups help us promote fairness and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
At Macmillan you'll find talented people working together to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
We are entering a period of unprecedented opportunity. Advances in treatment, increasing recognition of the condition, and growing awareness of healthcare inequalities provide a unique chance to strengthen our impact and expand our reach across the UK. Our ambition is bold: to engage and support at least 50% of the UK myasthenia community as members within the next five years, creating a movement that is representative, influential and impossible to ignore.
The successful candidate will lead the development of a thriving national community of people affected by myasthenia, ensuring that individuals and families feel connected, represented and empowered. They will transform community insight into meaningful campaigns, influence policy and healthcare decision-making, and position myaware as the authoritative voice for everyone affected by the condition.
Success in this role will be measured not only by influence and campaigning outcomes, but by the growth, engagement and mobilisation of our community. The Director will play a central role in delivering our ambition to reach, engage and retain 50% of the UK's myasthenia population as members and active supporters within five years, creating a change-maker movement that is representative of our goals.
Key Responsibilities
Community Growth and Engagement
- Contribute towards the development and delivery of a comprehensive membership growth strategy aimed at engaging at least 50% of the UK myasthenia community within five years.
- Build a deep understanding of the patient journey and identify opportunities to connect with people from diagnosis onwards.
- Lead the development of services, programmes and engagement approaches that increase membership recruitment, retention and participation.
- Ensure that people affected by myasthenia are at the heart of all organisational decisions, campaigns and strategic priorities.
- Create pathways for members, volunteers, supporters and ambassadors to actively contribute to myaware's work.
- Use data, insight and market intelligence to measure community reach, identify underserved groups and drive continuous improvement.
Campaigning, Policy and Influence
- Develop and implement a national campaigning and influencing strategy focused on awareness, equity of care, access to treatment and service improvement.
- Position myaware as a leading voice within healthcare, policy and rare disease discussions across the UK.
- Build strategic relationships with parliamentarians, government departments, NHS organisations, Integrated Care Boards, NICE, clinicians, researchers, industry partners and allied charities.
- Lead public affairs activity, including consultation responses, parliamentary engagement, policy briefings and stakeholder events.
- Ensure lived experience evidence informs policy development, healthcare decision-making and treatment access discussions.
Organisational Leadership
- Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and contribute to organisational strategy and performance.
- Foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, collaboration and measurable impact.
- Work closely with fundraising, communications, partnerships, and service delivery colleagues to maximise organisational reach and effectiveness.
Awareness and Public Engagement
- Increase awareness and understanding of myasthenia among healthcare professionals, policymakers, media and the public.
- Lead initiatives that strengthen myaware's visibility, reputation and influence.
- Support the development of compelling campaigns, media activity and storytelling that inspire engagement and drive action.
- To be the spokesperson for myaware.
What Success Looks Like
Within five years, the postholder will have:
- Led significant growth in membership, progressing towards engaging at least 50% of the UK's myasthenia community.
- Increased participation in surveys, campaigns, events, volunteering and lived-experience activities.
- Established myaware as the recognised national voice for people affected by myasthenia.
- Secured meaningful influence in policy, healthcare and treatment access discussions.
- Generated evidence of improvements in awareness, service delivery, treatment access and patient representation.
- Built a highly engaged and empowered community capable of driving change at local, national and system levels.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience within the charity, healthcare, membership, public affairs or advocacy sectors.
- Proven success in growing and engaging communities, memberships, movements or supporter bases at scale.
- Experience developing and delivering campaigning, influencing or public affairs strategies that have achieved measurable outcomes.
- Strong track record of building relationships with senior external stakeholders and decision-makers.
- Experience using data, insight and lived experience to shape organisational priorities and influence strategy.
- Experience leading, motivating and developing high-performing teams.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
- Outstanding strategic thinking and leadership abilities.
- Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
- Strong understanding of community mobilisation, supporter engagement and membership growth.
- Ability to translate complex healthcare and policy issues into compelling public narratives and calls to action.
- Strong analytical and performance management skills.
- Commitment to inclusion, co-production and patient-centred approaches.
Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone who is:
- Ambitious about building one of the UK's most engaged rare disease communities.
- Passionate about amplifying the voices of people with lived experience.
- Collaborative and inspiring.
- Politically astute and credible with senior stakeholders.
- Resilient, innovative and outcomes focused.
- Motivated by creating lasting change for people living with long-term health conditions.
Why Join Us?
myaware is the only charity in the UK dedicated solely to the care and support of people affected by myasthenia.
This is a rare opportunity to build a community movement capable of transforming lives. You will lead the growth of a national membership community, shape policy and healthcare conversations, and help ensure that every person affected by myasthenia feels informed, supported, represented and connected.
Together, we aim to ensure that within five years, at least half of everyone living with myasthenia in the UK knows, trusts and actively engages with myaware as their community, their advocate and their voice.
We are working hard to raise awareness of myasthenia, as it is a little-known condition. We provide support for people with myasthenia and their families, whilst offering advice and tips for living with the condition.
We also fund the research that brings us closer to finding a cure as well as funding specialists nurses and advisors.
Members of myaware have full access to a wide range of support services and events including our specialist benefits and welfare advisor.
myaware supports people with myasthenia and their families. We campaign for better medical services for people with myasthenia and work to inform medical professionals.
The myasthenias are a group of neuromuscular conditions. They are rare but also manageable and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or nationality. Myasthenia gravis, ocular myasthenia and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome are autoimmune conditions whereas congenital myasthenic syndrome is caused by an inherited genetic fault. It is thought that there are approximately 20,000 people currently living with myasthenia in the UK.
Benefits
- Generous holiday allowance
- Perkbox account (global benefits and rewards platform)
- Group Life Assurance after 6 months of service
- NEST workplace pension scheme
- Free inhouse staff benefits and welfare advice
- Investment in your personal and professional development
- Annual salary review
Application instructions
Candidates should submit their CV and tailored covering letter by: 11:30pm on Friday.4th September
Provisional interview dates will be week commencing: 28.9.26
Interviews will be held over Microsoft Teams.
Applications submitted without a tailored cover letter will not be considered.
This post, due to its nature, duties and responsibilities, will be subject to an enhanced check by the DBS. This is funded by myaware.
This organisation supports anonymous recruitment. That means hiding your personal identifying information, removing bias from the hiring process.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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)
- life assurance cover at 3 x annual salary
- health cashback plan (Medicash): employee cover plus up to four dependent children
- 24/7 virtual GP access (UK registered), plus access to Best Doctors
- 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
Dementia UK is looking for a Media and PR Assistant to join our Media and PR Team. This newly created role is an exciting opportunity to develop a career in PR, supporting the charity’s press office while helping to raise awareness of our services, clinical expertise and impact through the media.
No two days are the same in this fast-paced, reactive role. You'll support the day-to-day running of the press office, while taking ownership of key administrative processes and helping to coordinate storyteller, influencer and ambassador activity. You will support reactive and proactive media activity, monitor the news and media landscape, coordinate interviews, draft and proofread media materials, and produce media coverage reports. You'll have the opportunity to build your PR skills by supporting with pitching stories to journalists, developing media contacts, and contributing ideas to improve the way the team works.
You will have a keen interest in PR and communications, with some relevant experience of working within a communications or marketing environment and an understanding of national media, social media platforms and news consumption habits and trends. You are highly organised, detail-oriented and an excellent proof reader, with the confidence to spot errors and maintain high-quality work under tight deadlines. Agile and adaptable, you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, can prioritise competing demands, and are keen to learn, develop and contribute new ideas.
Join Dementia UK and be part of a supportive team where you'll gain hands-on PR experience, develop your skills, and help share the stories that make a real difference to families affected by dementia.
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. If you would like support to make an application or to tell us you are applying under the Disability Confident scheme, contact us.
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
We expect this role to attract high interest and may close it before the advertised closing date. To avoid disappointment, we recommend submitting an application at your earliest opportunity.
When you apply for a job at Dementia UK, we will collect certain information about you to process your application and assess your suitability for the role. Further details can be found in our privacy notice.
Head of Communications & Public Affairs
Salary: Up to £62k depending on experience
Location: Remote, with regular planned travel nationwide, particularly to London and the South, plus attendance at monthly and quarterly team meetings
Hours: Full Time, 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
We're looking for an exceptional communications leader to join Help for Heroes as our Head of Communications & Public Affairs. This is a rare opportunity to shape how one of the UK's most recognised charities engages with the media, policymakers, supporters and the wider public, ensuring the voices of veterans and their families are heard where it matters most.
Leading our integrated communications, public affairs, policy and PR activity, you'll develop influential campaigns that continue to strengthen our reputation, support fundraising and drive meaningful change for the Armed Forces community. Working closely with senior leaders across the charity, you'll act as a trusted adviser, bringing insight into the political, media and stakeholder landscape while helping to navigate the opportunities and risks that affect our mission.
This is a high-profile leadership role for someone who combines strategic thinking with outstanding delivery, thrives on building influential relationships and wants to use their expertise to create lasting impact for those who have served our country.
Please see below for more information on what just might be your future role.
About the Role
As Head of Communications & Public Affairs, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping how the charity is seen, heard and understood by the public, media, policymakers and supporters. Ensuring the experiences of veterans and their families remain at the heart of national conversations and decision-making.
- Developing and delivering an integrated communications, public affairs and policy strategy that advances the charity's mission and influence.
- Leading high-profile campaigns that raise awareness, support fundraising objectives and drive systemic change for the Armed Forces community.
- Building influential relationships with media, government, political stakeholders, partner organisations and sector leaders.
- Acting as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, providing strategic counsel on reputation, stakeholder engagement, public policy and emerging issues
- Leading the charity's press office, crisis communications activity, ambassador programme and external reputation management
- Developing, inspiring and coaching a high-performing team, fostering innovation, collaboration and measurable impact.
About You
Are you a strategic communications leader who knows how to turn insight into action and ambition into results?
Do you have a strong track record of leading integrated communications, public affairs, policy or campaigning activity that has built reputation, influenced decision-makers and delivered measurable impact?
Can you confidently navigate complex issues, build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and provide clear, credible counsel?
Are you equally comfortable shaping long-term strategy, responding to fast-moving external events and spotting opportunities to raise the profile and influence of an organisation?
If you're passionate about telling powerful stories, understand the UK media and political landscape, and enjoy leading talented teams to achieve ambitious goals, we'd love to hear from you.
You'll bring significant senior-level experience across communications, public affairs or policy, alongside expertise in media relations, stakeholder engagement and reputation management.
Most importantly, you'll be motivated by the opportunity to use your skills, networks and leadership to improve outcomes for veterans and their families.
About the Team
You’ll join our ambitious Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs directorate, a team dedicated to amplifying the voices of veterans and their families and ensuring their experiences influence public understanding and decision-making.
We are a collaborative, creative, and purpose-driven team that works across the charity to tell powerful stories, build meaningful relationships and create lasting impact. Together, we’re passionate about helping the Armed Forces community get the support they deserve.
In return we can offer you:
- Belonging to a team who make a difference to our community and value equality, diversity and inclusion.
- 29 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, regardless of service — plus your birthday off to celebrate!
- Opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave per year.
- Added to our free health scheme from day one, including discounts on dental, opticians, massages, and more - with the option to upgrade.
- 3 volunteer days per year to support the Help for Heroes community.
- A generous salary sacrifice pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution and a minimum 3% employee contribution, plus life insurance up to 4× salary as an active member.
Closing date: 23rd August 2026
Interview Process: Two stage process with an initial competency based interview and second round stage involving a task.
First round interviews to be held in person or via Teams 4th/7th/8th or 9th September.
Second Round in person 16th or 22nd September.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high number of strong applications.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Be part of something extraordinary at Epilepsy Society. We are seeking a values driven Policy & Public Affairs Manager to join a charity that provides world leading support for people with epilepsy through Care, Research and Advocacy.
About the role
Epilepsy Society is a dynamic charity with ambitious plans to revolutionise the lives of people through advocacy, research and care.
We are looking for someone to join our award-winning campaigns team and help us to progress change through political engagement at both national and local level. We have an impressive track record of working with government, locally elected politicians, professional organisations, patient stakeholder groups and other charities in the sector on a range of issues which affect people with epilepsy.
Our recent work includes our successful Zach’s Law campaign. This role is an exciting opportunity to help bring about further change that will make a real difference to the lives of people with epilepsy.
The postholder will develop an effective programme of policy and public affairs work across the UK to have maximum impact for people with epilepsy and to raise the public profile of epilepsy.
We seek someone with a degree or relevant experience in political or public affairs, extensive experience of influencing, organising campaigns and major events and negotiating at a senior level. You will be required to have a detailed level of understanding of government politics and the charity sector and an empathy to the cause.
Please download the recruitment pack attached to view the full job description and essential criteria.
The post holders should demonstrate our people values of CAIRO (Caring, Accountable, Improving, Respectful and Open.
Some information about us
The Epilepsy Society’s Vision is a full life for everyone affected by epilepsy. We want everyone affected by epilepsy to have the best opportunity for a full life - as free from seizures as possible. We set out to make a difference to every person affected by epilepsy whatever their background, however seriously it impacts on their life, and whether they have the condition themselves or are close to someone with epilepsy.
What we can offer
• 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the ability to buy and sell annual leave
• A generous Employee Referral Scheme (refer a friend and earn up to £150)
• Length of service awards
• Access to shopping discounts and cashback with thousands of retailers through Purple Rewards
• Staff recognition scheme
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Group Pension
• Life Assurance (2x your annual salary)
• Confidential, supportive Employee Assistance Programme, accessible 24/7
• Salary Finance, offering you products linked to your salary and tailored to your individual circumstances. Providing services such as loans, advances, savings and financial education
If you have the right skills and experience and are inspired to apply, please do so by uploading your CV and covering letter explaining how you meet the specifications of this role.
A DBS (Disclosure & Barring) check will be required before appointment is confirmed.
We reserve the right to close the post early once we have received a sufficient number of applicants: please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Job Title: Parliamentary and Public Affairs Manager
Reporting to: Director of Campaigns
Line reports: None
Salary: £44,350 per annum pro-rata (£ 35,480 per annum for 4 days per week)
Hours: 4 days (30 hours) or 5 days (37.5 hours) per week, with flexibility over working hours (core hours are 10.00-16.00).
Duration: 1-year contract renewable subject to funding
Start Date: As soon as possible
Location: London/Hybrid – minimum 2 days in the office (core days in the office are Tues & Weds) further office attendance is encouraged
Anti-oppressive statement
Foodrise is actively seeking to move through an anti-racist and anti-oppressive journey in every aspect of its work. We acknowledge that the environmental sector is less open to people from under-represented backgrounds, and we are strongly committed to identifying and correcting where we may be perpetuating patriarchal, white supremacist values and other forms of oppression in our organisational culture, partnerships, and community work. We especially want to hear from you if you feel that you have lived experience of power structures preventing you from accessing opportunities like this.
Read our full Equity, Justice and Anti-oppression statement.
Inclusive Recruitment
We have an opt-in Enhanced Chance Interview Scheme for candidates who declare a disability and/or are a person of colour and meet the essential criteria of the role profile. The scheme aims to provide a first-stage interview for candidates who meet the essential criteria of the role and opt in to the scheme.
If you would like to be considered under this scheme you must meet the essential minimum criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. You should take time to provide examples that you meet each of the essential criteria in your cover letter. Please ensure you select the relevant tick box on the application page ‘Enhanced Chance Interview Scheme’.
We are always happy to speak to candidates informally about the role before applying and encourage you to do so by contacting us.
About Us
Foodrise is a charity transforming the food system for climate, nature and justice.
We take bold action to uncover the root causes of injustice in our food system and expose how corporate power exploits people and the planet, while building truly just and resilient alternatives from the ground-up.
We speak truth to power. We take risks. We act where and when others won’t.
From launching legal action and producing hard-hitting research to working directly with local communities, we drive systemic change across food and farming, powered by grassroots energy and backed by the facts.
We exist to say what others won’t, do what others don’t, and never settle for “it can’t be done”. Change is possible, and we are rising to make it happen.
We are based in the UK and the Netherlands. See more about us on our website.
About the Role
The Parliamentary and Public Affairs Manager is a brand-new role for Foodrise. The successful candidate will lead on developing our first public and parliamentary affairs strategy to engage with political representatives and policymakers to advance our campaigning objectives and ensure progress towards our new strategic goals:
- Dismantling the animal industrial complex and supporting the transition to plant-rich food
- Eroding the social licence of large supermarkets and building alternative food economies
Ultimately, this role is about securing wins to meet our vision of a greener, fairer food system, where food is a commons, not a commodity.
This role is key to shaping public policy and legislative outcomes by building relationships, influencing decision-makers, and positioning Foodrise as an ambitious yet trusted voice in Westminster, Holyrood and amongst civil society across the UK. This role will work collaboratively with colleagues across campaigns, so would suit an adaptive candidate with strong communication skills, keen to advocate for Foodrise.
Job Description
Parliamentary and Public Affairs Strategy
- Develop and deliver a public affairs strategy aligned with organisational priorities and campaigns
- Identify and maximise opportunities to influence legislation, policy development, and public debate
- Monitor the UK political landscape, including Parliament, Government departments, and devolved administrations
Political Engagement & Influencing
- Build and maintain strong relationships with MPs, Peers, civil servants, special advisers, and political stakeholders
- Lead engagement with All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs), select committees, and public consultations
- Draft and coordinate parliamentary briefings, speeches, amendments, parliamentary questions and responses
- Work with lawyers to draft proposed legislation and legislative changes in support of our objectives
- Register for the UK lobbying register and keep our account up to date
- Lead high-impact advocacy moments such as parliamentary events, receptions, and policy launches
Integration of Parliamentary/Advocacy Asks into Foodrise’s Wider Work
- Work closely with campaigns and communications teams to integrate parliamentary and public affairs into campaigns
- Work closely with fundraisers and senior leadership to integrate parliamentary and policy asks in our fundraising and business development
- Ensure consistent and compelling advocacy messaging across all channels
- Provide regular updates and analysis on political developments relevant to the organisation’s work
- Track and evaluate the impact of public affairs activities
- Maintain accurate stakeholder records and engagement logs
- Work closely with our colleagues at Foodrise in the EU to support EU level advocacy where relevant to our campaigns
- Any other relevant tasks as requested by senior colleagues to support the organisation and further our objectives
Ways of Working
- Collaborative by default; independent work is balanced with regular coordination.
- Contribute to the development and embedding of anti-oppressive work across the organisation
- Flexible and adaptable in response to changing priorities.
- Present and available for colleagues, including regular in‑office presence.
- Proactive in communication, planning, and follow‑through.
Person Specification
Essential Knowledge, Experience and Network
- Extensive experience in public affairs, government relations, or political advocacy (at least 7 years’ working experience)
- Strong understanding of the UK political system, legislative processes, and policy-making
- Networks within the UK political and policy systems
- Knowledge of the key issues in food systems, environment and/or climate in the UK
Essential Skills
- Demonstrable experience of influencing political representatives, policymakers and delivering policy or campaign wins
- Excellent writing, analytical and research skills.
- Excellent organisational skills, with strong attention to detail.
- Outstanding communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
- The ability to work collaboratively; build, maintain and develop flexible working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
What You Will Bring to Foodrise
- A can-do attitude, flexibility and adaptability, alongside a willingness to pitch in on delivery and help colleagues across the team, recognising that Foodrise is a small, nimble organisation with fast-changing priorities.
- An understanding of anti-oppressive practice and how it applies to Foodrise’s work and the role, and the ability to represent diverse perspectives through the work of the organisation.
- Sharing Foodrise’s values: audacity, collaboration, impact, celebration, solidarity.
- Willingness to undertake some limited travel domestically and abroad.
What We Offer
- Personal training and wellbeing funds
- Regular team socials
- Workplace pension
- Enhanced parental leave
- Enhanced sick leave
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Home & Tech scheme
- Flexible working hours (core hours 10am-4pm)
How to Apply
Please apply via Charity Jobs with:
- Your CV (no longer than 2 A4 pages total)
- A cover letter (no longer than 1 A4 page) explaining how you meet the criteria in the person specification with examples, and why you would like to work at Foodrise.
Deadline to apply: 10am, Tuesday 22nd September
Successful candidates for interview will be notified by Thursday 24th September.
Shortlisted candidates will be sent our new strategy ahead of the interview, along with details of an hour-long written task to be completed at home – this will be sent prior to the interview at a time convenient for you.
First round interviews will be held on Thursday 1st October.
Second round interviews will be held on Thursday 8th October.
Sign up to join our Recruitment Q&A Zoom session on Wednesday 2nd September, 12-1pm. Our HR & Operations Manager will talk through the recruitment process and answer any questions you may have. Please note that this session is focussed on the recruitment process. If you have any questions specific to the role, please contact us.
For any questions, access requirements, or if you require the job description in a different format, please contact us.
AI policy – We understand that you may use AI to help with your application, however we want to hear your authentic voice throughout your application.
Please apply via Charity Jobs with:
• Your CV (no longer than 2 A4 pages total)
• A cover letter (no longer than 1 A4 page) explaining how you meet the criteria in the person specification with examples, and why you would like to work at Foodrise.
Deadline to apply: 10am, Tuesday 22nd September
Foodrise is a charity transforming the food system for climate, nature and justice.
The Policy and Public Affairs team focuses on political engagement to help deliver against the Our Voice strategic priorities. With the Government having recently published a new Animal Welfare Strategy, we have a strong platform from which to try and influence change, especially in light of changing trends when it comes to attitudes towards pet ownership.
The Policy and Public Affairs team has a strong track record of delivering legislative change in recent years, and the Public Affairs Officer role has a key part to play in our day-to-day work of engaging and persuading political stakeholders.
The main responsibilities of the role are:
- Help deliver policy and legislative change for Battersea through effective engagement with relevant political stakeholders.
- Build and grow a network of parliamentary advocates for Battersea across the political parties.
- Help assess and demonstrate the impact of the team’s work, overseeing the team’s impact mapping project, and updating and maintaining reporting records.
- Improve co-ordination with other teams across Battersea to make advocacy work more efficient and effective
What we can offer you:
In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:
- 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year.
- Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes.
- Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
- Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution.
- Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.
- Annual interest-free season ticket loans.
We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.
Our hybrid working model:
We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.
Diversity and inclusion:
We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.
We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. Greyscale copies of the recruitment pack are also available on request.
More about us:
At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.
Acceptable use of AI:
At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.
To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.
Closing date: 17th August 2026
All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.
Interview date(s): Week Commencing 31st August 2026 (Online) - To Be Confirmed
For more information about the role, please download our Recruitment pack.
Battersea is here for every dog and cat, and has been since 1860. We believe that every dog and cat deserves the best.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Would you like to help create a brighter future for nature?
Wildlife and Countryside Link is a coalition of 97 environmental charities. We are looking for a Policy and Public Affairs Officer to help develop, advocate and win policy improvements for nature, with a particular focus on the marine environment.
The Government has promised to halt the decline of wildlife and protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. The marine environment is on the frontline of action – how can we restore habitats at the same time as huge investment in renewable energy? How can we restore fish stocks in a way that supports the future of coastal communities? How can we lead the way on reducing the pollution that is blighting our seas?
We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Policy and Public Affairs Officer to help environmental organisations agree bold answers to key questions like these. This role will manage our marine, bycatch and marine mammal working groups to secure ambitious progress of protection and recovery of the marine environment. This is an exciting opportunity to be to work alongside some of the leading experts in marine policy to deliver joint policy that will transform nature at sea.
You will also play a key role in delivering environmental priorities to key influencers in Government and in Parliament.
So, we are looking for someone with a keen eye for detail, a good networker with the ability to listen and negotiate, and a reasoned and convincing style of written and verbal communication, with a passion for nature conservation.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.
Policy and Public Affairs Officer
Contract: Permanent
Work Pattern: Full Time, 35 hours per week (1.0 FTE) (We are open to flexible hours and working patterns, including accommodating part-time and compressed hours where possible).
Salary: £37,198 per annum
Location: London Fields, E8. NCB promotes a hybrid, flexible way of working with 1 day working in the office.
The Vacancy
We are currently recruiting two Policy and Public Affairs Officers.
The Policy and Public Affairs Officer will play an important role in delivering NCB’s policy and public affairs priorities. This role will develop evidence-based policy positions through analysis, research, and collaboration with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. It will advance these positions by producing high-quality policy papers, reports, consultation responses, and blogs.
The role will support NCB’s engagement with key policy coalitions and decision-makers. Through collaboration with colleagues and external partners, it will ensure that the views of children, young people, and parents are represented in NCB’s policy development and public affairs.
About NCB
For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.
Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.
The Benefits
- 30 Days Annual Leave
- Generous Pension Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Flexible Working
- Winter Holiday Closure & Break
- Employee Assistance Programme
Applications close at 08:00am on Monday, 17 August 2026.
Assessment and interview dates are to be confirmed.
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.
No agencies please.
Public Affairs and Media Officer (Westminster)
£33,419 - £36,891 pa plus excellent benefits
London and hybrid working
35 hours per week, full-time
As Public Affairs and Media Officer, you willsupport the policy, public affairs and influencing activities of the College in line with agreed priorities, focusing on our engagement in Westminster and with the UK Government.
You will provide comprehensive monitoring of political and legislative developments in Westminster to ensure the College can proactively influence decision makers and to ensure our members are kept up to date.
You will also support our proactive and reactive media and communications activity related to our political influencing in Westminster.
The College values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, reflecting the population it serves.
We are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture, a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We aim to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.
We will provide appropriate reasonable adjustments for candidates who may have a disability.
We only recruit the best and in return for your commitment the College offers an attractive salary and benefits.
We operate a hybrid working model of on-site and working from home/remote, which helps to ensure a flexible work life balance.
We welcome applications from all sections of the Community.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional membership body for psychiatrists and promotes excellent care for people with mental illness. It has 19,000 members and engages with government and the media as the leading voice of the UK’s mental health services. The College is a values-based organisation and, in 2019, was named Charity of the Year in the European Diversity Awards.
Closing date: 1 September 2026
Interviews: 16 September 2026
This is an opportunity to work at the heart of issues affecting the Armed Forces community, turning insight into action and ensuring the voices of veterans, serving personnel and their families are heard where it matters most. From influencing local decision-makers to shaping meaningful conversations across communities, you’ll play a visible role in driving positive change on behalf of those who have served.
Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.
We’re looking for someone who understands how local government and public affairs really work; someone who can build credibility quickly, spot opportunities to influence and create campaigns that connect with people on a local level. You’ll be equally comfortable briefing MPs and councillors, working alongside community stakeholders, organising events and translating national priorities into campaigns that feel relevant and tangible within local communities. This role would suit someone who thrives on relationship-building, enjoys working across a varied political landscape and has the confidence to represent a nationally respected organisation in high-profile settings.
In return, you’ll join a passionate and collaborative team working on issues that genuinely matter. No two days will look the same, and the impact of your work will be visible across the region. Whether you’re developing local campaign networks, supporting Armed Forces Covenant activity or helping influence policy conversations at a grassroots level, you’ll have the freedom to bring fresh thinking, new ideas and your own approach to engagement. If you’re motivated by purpose, skilled at influencing others and want to be part of an organisation committed to making a lasting difference to the Armed Forces community, we’d love to hear from you.
You will be contracted to your home address. You will be expected to work both there and on a mobile basis at other locations in the North with occasional travel (incl. for monthly team meetings) beyond this area.
Employee benefits include -
- 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days
- Enhanced paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 10%
- Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
- Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives
- Opportunities to volunteer
- Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!
For more detailed information about the role, please see the Vacancy Information Pack attached to our direct advert. Our teams take a personalised approach to shortlisting, which is carried out without the use of AI and is based on the evidence provided in your application against the essential and desirable criteria in the Person Specification.
RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the Armed Forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interview schemes for candidates who declare an Armed Forces connection and/or a disability. However, candidates are only eligible for this scheme if their application clearly demonstrates that they meet all of the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification for the role.
Interview Dates: 17th and 18th September 2026
We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
About the role: AMRC is looking for a policy officer to join our small but highly influential policy and public affairs team, working at the heart of the medical research community. You will support our influencing and advocacy work, helping build a thriving research environment that facilitates innovation. We work with government and policy makers to ensure that our charities can invest in a healthy and sustainable research system across universities and the NHS. You will undertake analysis and horizon scanning to enable us to keep our members up-to-date, and you will support the development of AMRC’s policy activity. You will support activities in many areas of work including improving the sustainability of charity-university research; enhancing research careers, translation and infrastructure; maintaining a facilitative legislative and regulatory environment; and enhancing charity-industry partnerships, helping research findings to be translated into treatments, policy and practice more quickly. There will also be a public affairs dimension to the role that includes work with the APPG for Life Sciences, for which AMRC is part of the secretariat.
Please see our website for the job description and application instructions.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Purpose of the Role
The Director of External Affairs and Growth is an SLT role responsible for leveraging the voice and power of the eoa's network to influence and accelerate the growth of the employee owned sector.
The role leads the eoa’s external affairs, policy and insights, marcomms and events, shaping the external environment for employee ownership and securing the funding and commercial income needed to support sustainable sector growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead external affairs strategy, building the relationships and influence needed to shape policy, remove barriers and expand EO.
- Build strategic relationships and secure grant funding and commercial partnerships, generating income to support advocacy, events and sector growth initiatives, including the UK EO Growth Strategy.
- Oversee our policy and insights work, engaging key stakeholders to co-produce content that influences EO practice and policy and strengthens the eoa’s voice in public affairs.
- Oversee the delivery of a mar-comms strategy that delivers commercial objectives and positions the eoa as the leading authority on EO.
- Oversee our events programmes, ensuring they drive knowledge-sharing, sector development
- and commercial sustainability.
- Represent the eoa at industry forums, policy roundtables and public affairs events,
- championing the employee ownership model.
- Collaborate with the Director of Membership and Operations to align advocacy and external
- engagement with member needs and priorities.
- Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering innovation and delivering measurable impact across income generation, advocacy, policy, events and mar-comms activities
Knowledge, Experience, and Attributes
- Proven expertise in external affairs, advocacy, or policy leadership, ideally within a business, trade body, or membership association.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing government, media, and corporate partners.
- Demonstrated ability to drive sectoral or policy change, leading successful advocacy initiatives.
- Strong commercial acumen, with experience in sponsorship acquisition, revenue generation, grant funding and developing financially sustainable initiatives.
- Exceptional strategic communication and storytelling skills, able to engage and mobilise diverse audiences.
- Experience in event programming, ensuring high engagement and sector impact.
- Passion for employee ownership and economic models that promote shared prosperity.
- Innovative, creative, and proactive in problem-solving and strategy execution.
- A confident and transparent leader who fosters collaboration and inclusivity.
- Self-aware with emotional intelligence, resilience, and integrity.
What Constitutes Success in This Role?
Success in this role means having a positive impact on the growth of the employee-owned sector, strengthening the eoa’s influence and increasing the adoption of “great EO”. Stronger stakeholder relationships, greater advocacy impact and improved commercial sustainability through a diverse mix of grant funding, sponsorships and strategic partnerships will also be key indicators of success.
Key outcomes for the role
- Outcome - Growth of the employee ownership sector
- Measure - Increased number of EO businesses, heightened sector awareness
- Outcome - Strengthened corporate engagement
- Measure - Growth in strategic partnerships, corporate and government engagement
- Outcome - Strong Commercial Sustainability
- Measure - Increased sponsorship revenue, secured long-term commercial partnerships
- Outcome -Increased policy influence
- Measure - Policy recommendations adopted, increased government engagement
- Outcome - Enhanced sector insight and intelligence
- Measure - Utilisation of high quality data and insights for regular sector related content outputs
- Outcome - Development and adoption of best practice
- Measure - Creation, adoption and promotion of best practice across the EO network.
- Outcome - Successful events programmes
- Measure - Increased participation, sponsorship growth, positive feedback.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit:
- A two-page CV
- And one of either:
- Cover letter setting out your motivation, approach, and what you will bring to the role
- Video (maximum 10 minutes) setting out your motivation, approach, and what you will bring to the role
Applications should be submitted before 9:00am 17 August 2026. We will close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. If you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Interviews will be in two stages. The first stage will be a virtual interview via teams on
26 August. For those who successfully move to stage 2 there will be an in-person
discussion w.c. 31 August.
The eoa welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those
who are under-represented. We recruit based on values, skills, and contribution to our
purpose.
We exist to grow and strengthen employee ownership as a force for powering fairer livelihoods, stronger businesses, and a more resilient economy.



ABOUT CHEFS IN SCHOOLS
Chefs in Schools exists to improve children’s health and futures through better school food and meaningful food education.
We work alongside schools and catering teams to transform what children eat every day, particularly in communities facing the greatest barriers to good health. We combine practical support, training, operational expertise and sector influence to help schools serve fresh, nutritious food that children want to eat.
We’re backed by some of the biggest names in food and are ambitious about both impact and scale. We want every child to have access to excellent school food and a real food education, regardless of background.
We are a values-led organisation - bold, honest, collaborative, innovative and focused on solutions.
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
You will lead the delivery of Chefs in Schools External Affairs function, ultimately ensuring there is widespread recognition that poor quality school food is unacceptable. Through integrated media, digital and advocacy work, you’ll ensure quality school food is viewed as a vital tool for healthy development and food literacy.
You will turn strategic direction into coordinated delivery, leading a multidisciplinary team that increases our influence, strengthens our reputation and helps achieve meaningful improvements in school food.
Working closely with External Affairs colleagues and Chief Executive, you will ensure our public profile, policy influence and media work reinforce one another, while creating the management capacity required for a growing organisation. This builds on the new functional structure where media and content, policy and campaigns, and the School Food Review programme all sit within External Affairs.
We want Chefs in Schools to become the most trusted and recognisable voice in the conversation around school food and food literacy. This role will play a central part in building that influence and recognition.
We are looking for somebody who understands that influence is built through consistency, credibility, creativity and cultural relevance as much as through formal communications activity alone.
WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
Leadership
-
Lead the day-to-day operation of the External Affairs team.
-
Translate organisational strategy into clear plans and objectives.
-
Ensure media, content creation, campaigns, policy and coalition activity reinforce one another.
-
Set priorities and allocate resources across competing work.
-
Develop team capability through coaching, support and performance management.
-
Contribute to organisational strategy and annual planning.
-
Advise on reputational opportunities and risks.
-
Ensure innovation is embedded at the heart of our work and approach.
-
Deputise at SLT level where appropriate.
-
Represent the organisation externally.
-
Build a collaborative, ambitious, solutions-focused culture.
Operational planning
-
Develop and oversee the annual External Affairs plan in line with strategy.
-
Coordinate campaign calendars, policy priorities, publications and media moments.
-
Ensure external activity supports fundraising, programmes and partnerships.
-
Monitor delivery against KPIs and adjust plans where required.
Campaigns and public engagement
-
Provide strategic oversight of policy development and campaigning.
-
Challenge and refine policy recommendations before publication.
-
Ensure campaigns are evidence-led and aligned with organisational strategy.
-
Support relationships with government, sector leaders and coalition partners.
-
Build strong relationships with media, MPs, councillors and key stakeholders.
Media & communications
-
Oversee media strategy and organisational messaging.
-
Ensure consistency across press, social media, website, publications and events.
-
Identify media moments and hard hitting stories that will hit the headlines.
-
Sign off major messaging and communications.
-
Lead communications planning around major announcements or crises.
School Food Review
-
Provide strategic oversight of the School Food Review programme.
-
Ensure coalition work complements Chefs in Schools wider influencing strategy.
-
Support senior relationships with coalition partners and funders.
-
Remove barriers to delivery for the Programme Manager.
Budget & governance
-
Manage the External Affairs budget.
-
Ensure safeguarding, risk management and governance requirements are met.
-
Oversee procurement of agencies and consultants.
ABOUT YOU
Essential experience and skills
-
Significant senior leadership experience across media relations, campaigns, policy or public affairs.
-
Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
-
Strong operational planning skills.
-
Excellent political judgement.
-
Experience influencing senior stakeholders.
-
Outstanding written and verbal communication.
-
Strong project and budget management.
-
Comfortable balancing long-term strategy with fast-paced reactive work.
-
Strong understanding of the UK media landscape and digital channels.
-
Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and visual.
-
Experience of working with MPs and other key stakeholders.
-
Strong alignment with the mission and values of Chefs in Schools.
Desirable
-
Education, food systems or public health experience.
-
Coalition leadership.
-
Charity senior management.
-
Experience working with ministers, journalists and on national campaigns.
OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION
We know that strong candidates may not meet every single requirement listed in this job description.
If this role excites you and you believe you could make a strong contribution to our mission, we would encourage you to apply.
We are committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation where people from different backgrounds, experiences and communities can thrive.
We’re on a mission to transform kids’ health through food – plate by plate, class by class, school by school.





