Policy and research manager jobs

Research is at the heart of our charitable objectives at Sarcoma UK. The charity provides funding for research to understand sarcoma better, improve treatments and ultimately, make a difference to the lives of people affected by sarcoma. Since 2009, we’ve funded more than 100 projects, representing an investment of more than £10 million.

The Research Officer role enjoys a varied workload and brings the opportunity to work with autonomy and develop new skills within a friendly and dynamic team. You will work on a broad range of projects, including being involved with our grant management processes, working closely with the Research Manager and Director of Research, Policy and Support. The post-holder will also work closely with other departments across the charity, including producing engaging research communications content for print, online and social media, and will also have the opportunity to interact with senior researchers, clinicians and people affected by sarcoma.

This is an ideal role for someone with a scientific background and an active interest in research management, and it offers the opportunity to make a real impact for people affected by sarcoma and their families.

At Sarcoma UK, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences. We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Benefits

• Flexible working options including hybrid working
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• 25 days holiday entitlement per annum plus bank holidays and the working days between Christmas and New Year
• Additional day off for your birthday
• Health and wellbeing:
  • Health Cash Plan
  • Therapy sessions
  • Wellbeing Group

Our Values

• Pioneering we are leading the way to a better future for the sarcoma community.
• Together we are creating a community to make a difference for all those affected by sarcoma.
• Expert we use our expertise in understanding sarcoma to deliver better outcomes.

Duties and Key Responsibilites 

Sarcoma UK’s research programme

• To support Sarcoma UK’s grant application processes under guidance from the Research Manager. This will include calls for proposals, identifying expert peer reviewers, administering a high-quality peer and lay review process, communication with applicants and potential applicants, administration of grant awards and supporting patient involvement.
• To provide support to the Grant Review Panel and Research Strategy Committee, including organising meetings and preparing minutes.
• To manage Sarcoma UK’s portfolio of active research grants, under guidance from the Research Manager. This will include use of grant management software for administration of newly awarded grants, monitoring progress of current grants, oversight of grant finances and reporting on final outputs.
• To support opportunities for patient involvement within the research programme, including managing a network of lay reviewers and facilitating new opportunities, with support from the Involvement and Volunteering Coordinator.
• To support new developments in Sarcoma UK’s research programme, including organising and attending events, collaborative funding calls and initiatives to support early career researchers.

Research Impact and Communications

• To monitor and gather outputs and long-term impact of research grants funded by Sarcoma UK and support in ensuring these are shared with internal and external audiences.
• To plan and produce engaging and reactive and proactive communications about sarcoma research, including website, social media, written and video content, working with the Research Manager and Communications Team to ensure our research activities and outcomes are shared with the sarcoma community and wider public.
• To proactively engage with grant holders to gather impactful insights and to support engaging communication about sarcoma research.
• To regularly review and update Sarcoma UK’s website with progress updates on research grants and promote funding opportunities.
• To support work undertaken by the Fundraising Team where required, such as lab tours and supplying information about funded grants for donor reports.

External relationships

• To be a point of contact for Sarcoma UK grant holders and their host institutions.
• To maintain positive relationships with Sarcoma UK’s research panels, potential grant applications, researchers and clinicians, and the wider sarcoma research community.
• To work directly with a range of people personally affected by sarcoma to place the voice of lived experience at the heart of our research programme.

General

• To support the integration of the research programme across Sarcoma UK.
• Attend Sarcoma UK events and contribute to the wider work of Sarcoma UK.
• Travel occasionally to meetings and events. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required (time off in lieu will be given).
• Work flexibly and collaboratively in a dynamic environment, undertaking other duties as required to support the wider operations of Sarcoma UK.

Employer: Community Rail Network 

Salary: £43k-£51.5k pa, full time 

Location: Home based / flexible or Huddersfield 

We are seeking a dynamic director of policy and communications, to lead and develop our increasingly impactful external affairs activity. You’ll be sharing community insights and evidence with policy and decision-makers at national and devolved level, supporting a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable transport and mobility, while overseeing high-quality, inspiring member communications and thought-leadership, drawing on grassroots experiences.  
  

About us 

Community Rail Network is a national not-for-profit organisation supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.

Community rail is made up of 76 community-based partnership organisations, and c.1,300 station friends volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence among marginalised groups, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener tourism by rail.

Our enthusiastic team of 24 works from home in different locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to support our members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights. We believe in developing our team and helping everyone reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.

About this role 

This role is crucial for us, our members and their communities, especially at the current time, with our need to seize on the opportunities of rail reform and devolution, promote wider use of sustainable transport, and bring communities together. You will spearhead our external affairs strategy and plans, building political relationships, influencing decision-making and raising awareness of community rail and its insights, while ensuring effective communications with our members and helping them to have a voice locally and regionally. You’ll be striving to put community rail at the forefront of a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable mobility.

As a member of our senior leadership team, reporting to and working closely with our chief executive, you will manage a passionate team of four, ensuring collaboration with our other teams, partners and funders, and drawing on members’ insights.

 
Main responsibilities 

• Lead the review, development and delivery of our communications, policy and insights strategy, working to position the community rail movement effectively, use its insights to influence policy change, and ensure our members are well-informed and have a voice; 

• Further strengthen our advisory and influencing work with national, devolved and regional government, transport bodies, parliamentarians and other decision-makers, especially around rail reform, transport devolution and integrated, inclusive, sustainable transport; 

• Ensure we’re engaging effectively with policy developments and opportunities, taking forward a programme of relationship-building, and identifying and engaging in relevant consultations, events and speaking opportunities, enabling community rail’s insights and experiences to be shared; 

• Collaborate with partners in rail, government and the third sector to feed in our expertise on community engagement with rail, amplify our campaigns, and build opportunities for joined-up communications and policy work;

• Continually develop and disseminate our evidence base and insights on the social, environmental and economic value community rail delivers, and opportunities to create greater benefits for communities from rail and transport; 

• Oversee high-quality, coherent and inspiring communications with our members and partners, promoting our work, and sharing news, opportunities, and good practice across the movement; 

• Manage production of high-quality resources, case studies and reports that our members can use to enhance their impact and which showcase community rail’s impact; 

• Lead and develop our media relations and awareness-raising PR, championing community rail and its messages on sustainable, inclusive travel and communities at national and regional level, while supporting members on local PR; 

• Develop our online presence and reach, making full use of our website, social media, our Scenic Rail Britain campaign, and partners’ channels to celebrate and position community rail and grow its reach and impact; 

• Oversee a calendar of creative and impactful campaigns that involve and empower our members, creating PR and engagement opportunities, including Community Rail Week;

• Play a key role in collective leadership, strategic focus and organisational development as a member of our senior leadership team, including through internal communications and cross-team working, annual planning, funder liaison and reporting, upholding our strategies and policies, and pursuing opportunities for continuous improvement. 

 
Skills and competencies 

1. Strong leadership and management skills, including experience managing, developing and drawing on a multi-faceted team delivering complex campaigns or projects, and budget management; 
2. Excellent communication and external leadership skills; articulate, assertive, and with the ability to work diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels; 
3. An understanding of public affairs, ideally in relation to community development, sustainability and/or transport, and a demonstrable ability to identify influencing opportunities, deliver thought-leadership, and engage with policy-makers, including sharing community insights; 
4. Politically astute, with awareness of and commitment to social inclusion, social justice and sustainability, and a good grasp of the importance of public transport sustainable travel, and community-led action, to these agendas; 
5. Understanding of political processes and experience of engaging with policy and decision-making, ideally at national, devolved and local levels; 
6. Sound knowledge of communication and marketing methods and channels, and ability to oversee messaging and targeting of public and professional audiences, and to align content across multiple channels; 
7. A demonstrable ability to think analytically and draw on statistical and qualitative research to construct robust, evidence-based arguments; 
8. Experience of working with the media and achieving coverage at national, regional and local level; 
9. Experience working collaboratively with partners and ideally funders to deliver communications and policy activity and forming professional networks; 
10. Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while dealing with competing priorities, and to support team members to do so; 
11. IT literate with a good working knowledge of Office, the internet and social media; 
12. Appropriate qualifications and professional development demonstrating knowledge and skills in line with the above, and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.

Other information

As you will be home-based, we are flexible about your location. However, you will be expected to travel to in-person full team meetings quarterly (usually in West Yorkshire), and you will need to bring your team together (currently all West Yorkshire based) with similar regularity in between. Attendance at in-person events and meetings is also important. We therefore welcome applications from those with decent public transport links, not too far from a railway station, to enable journeys to be made sustainably.   

This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months.   

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.  

Leukaemia UK – Our Charity

We are a ‘small but mighty’ charity with one big ambition: to stop leukaemia devastating lives. Over the next 10 years we want to help save and improve the lives of more people with leukaemia through finding and funding life-changing research, awareness and advocacy.

Despite progress in recent decades, someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer every 16 minutes and survival rates are among some of the worst of any cancer.  And the physical and psychological impact can be lifelong. 

Over the next 5 years we plan to increase our investment into ground-breaking world class research and policy development focused on improving access to kinder, more effective diagnosis, treatment and care for leukaemia and other blood cancers. To do this, we have embarked on a period of growth, investing strategically to grow our income, profile, influence, engagement and impact.

The Research Manager will play a pivotal role in our ability to achieve our goals by ensuring that we use our precious resources to fund only the very the best projects and exceptional people, research and activities that demonstrate the potential to make a real difference.

Team

We are a close-knit team, who are all passionate about Leukaemia UK and the amazing work we do with the people who need it. We are all focused on pragmatic, practical solutions as well as ensuring that our charity gets the funding it needs to continue to help those diagnosed with leukaemia and other blood cancers.

Leukaemia UK and You 

We are looking for a talented Research Manager with prior experience of managing research grant funding activities, ideally within a medical research charity or research funding organisation. Our processes and systems are in place, making this an ideal well-structured role for someone to develop into. This is a part-time role and we welcome applications from individuals looking for flexibility, both in hours and hybrid working.

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic about research and its potential to improve our understanding of leukaemia, develop more effective, kinder treatments and patient care for leukaemia. You will be confident in working independently and communicating with researchers, people affected by leukaemia and stakeholders at all levels.

Experience Requirements

Essential

• Research grant administration 

Desirable

• Research grant funding at a medical research charity or other research funding organisation
• Managing peer review processes
• Using grant management software

Knowledge Requirements

Essential

• Degree level biological / biomedical science
• Knowledge of research grant costing
• Understanding of research impact

Desirable

• Some knowledge of cancer and cancer research
• Knowledge of the UK biomedical academic research environment
• Understanding of the translational pathway for biomedical research

Skills and Abilities Requirements

Essential

• Highly organised and effective at administration and project management
• Meticulous attention to process and budgeting
• Excellent communication skills with internal colleagues and external parties including grant applicants and reviewers, grant holders and their institutions, partner funders
• Strong numeracy and IT literacy

Behaviours and Attribute Requirements

Essential

• Process driven but with a drive for continuous improvement and interest in new innovations
• Interest and motivation to learn
• Highly collaborative and collegial

Join an amazing charity that makes a difference for the more than 110,000 adults and children in the UK with a muscle-wasting condition. This is a role where you can really make a difference.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experience of conditions we represent. We believe that diversity strengthens our work and helps us better support our beneficiaries.

As part of our safer recruitment and safeguarding responsibilities, this role requires a DBS check and professional/character references. We are committed to inclusion and will consider each application fairly.​

About you:

This is a terrific opportunity to play a fundamental role as Research Communications Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK’s in developing and shaping our research communications ensuring the timely and proactive communication of our research impact.

• You will have a strong ability for explaining research and science to a lay audience. 
• You  will also proactively identify communication opportunities and ideas for engaging content to promote and publicise our research projects.
• You will work closely with teams across the organisation providing them with information about our research activity to support their work.
• You will manage the charity’s research information service, our Research Line.
• You will work with the Director of Research and Innovation and Director of Marketing and Communications to lead the development of our research communications plan.​

Your Cover Letter Guidance
When submitting your application, please ensure your cover letter provides clear evidence of the following:

• Experience of communicating scientific and clinical information to a range of target audiences
• Proven experience in communicating complex research topics to a lay audience
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to build effective relationships internally and externally
•Proactive and able to identify communication opportunities and ideas for content in a range of formats
• Excellent copywriting, editing and proof-reading skills with ability to write copy for a range of audiences

Your cover letter should demonstrate how your background aligns with these criteria, using specific examples where possible.

​

About us:

Muscular Dystrophy UK is a charity that connects a community of more than 110,000 people living with one of over 60 muscle wasting conditions, and all the people around them. So everyone can get the healthcare, support and treatments needed to feel good, mentally and physically. ​

This is an exciting time to join Muscular Dystrophy UK. We recently launched our new 10 year strategy to transform the lives of people living with muscle wasting conditions. Our vision is clear, a world without limits for people with muscle wasting conditions, and we won’t stop until we achieve it.

Values and behaviours:

• A positive attitude and approach that reflect the charity’s values.
• Seek opportunities to contribute to the development of the charity.
• A commitment to and an understanding of disability issues, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Always demonstrate role model behaviour.
  
   

Benefits:

We appreciate the range of skills and experience our staff have to offer. In return for your enthusiasm and commitment we commit to actively developing and supporting you. We believe in supporting our people both professionally and personally.

​

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote wellbeing, work–life balance, and career development. Our offerrange of benefits includes ​great pension contributions, life insurance, cycle scheme, health cash plan, employee assistance programme, instant retail and events discounts, and much more...

​

Location: We operate a hybrid model (home and office, London SE1). ​

Closing date: Sunday, 11th January 2026​

NB Interviews likely to be held on Wednesday, 21st January 2026​

Please download the job description to see full role responsibilities

To develop policy goals and recommendations in line with Women for Refugee Women’s (WRW) overarching campaigns strategy to improve the lives of women seeking asylum in the UK; to develop and deliver policy interventions such as policy briefings, evidence for parliamentary committees, responses to inquiries and consultations; to plan and carry out research projects for influencing purposes, ensuring that these are informed by and co-delivered with women in WRW’s network.

We are part of the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative. The network supports inclusive recruitment of people with lived experience of the UK asylum or immigration system. If this is your experience, you can find useful resources on the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative website.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Policy & Research, a role that sits at the heart of our mission to shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. You will lead Belong’s policy development, research strategy, and national partnerships, ensuring our work is grounded in robust evidence and lived experience. This position offers the chance to influence systemic change, amplify Belong’s voice with policymakers and opinion formers, and ensure our insights drive real-world impact.

As Director of Policy & Research, you will:

• Lead the development of Belong’s policy and research agenda, aligning it with organisational strategy and national priorities.
• Produce high-quality policy outputs, including reports, briefings, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
• Oversee the design and delivery of research projects, including commissioning and partnership work, ensuring rigor and inclusivity.
• Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and advocacy strategies.
• Foster strong collaboration between the Policy & Research team and Programme Delivery team, ensuring insights inform both policy and practice.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, journalists, and opinion formers.
• Represent Belong externally at high-level meetings, events, and in the media, amplifying our impact and reach.
• Develop strategic messaging and narratives that position Belong as a thought leader in social cohesion.
• Support campaigns and public engagement initiatives that promote Belong’s policy goals.
• Contribute to organisational development, strategic planning, and income generation through proposal development and funder engagement.
• Line manage policy and research staff, providing leadership, support, and professional development.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to drive systemic change at scale.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and insightful leader with:

• Proven experience in policy development and research leadership.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong understanding of social policy and influencing processes.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community relations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including media engagement and public speaking.
• Ability to translate complex research into accessible policy messages.
• Familiarity with participatory and applied research methods.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or a related field.
• Experience managing teams and budgets, and supporting income generation through fundraising and proposal development.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and visionary thinker.
• Collaborative and inclusive leader.
• Politically astute and intellectually curious.
• Practical, focused, and reliable.
• Committed to personal and professional development.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• 3% pension contribution
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape national policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We have embarked on our 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.

Location: South Wales Skylight to work hybrid in line with Crisis’ Hybrid Working Policy, with an expectation to work a minimum of one day a week from the Skylight more as per business requirements

Contract: Permanent

About the role

The Senior Policy and Public Affairs Wales role at Crisis is an exciting opportunity to make a big difference in our mission to end homelessness. Through collaborating with colleagues, our frontline services, our members with lived experience of homelessness, key partners, civil servants and Members of the Senedd, you will help to develop and push for impactful policy change in Wales.

With the next Senedd term fast approaching and new homelessness legislation expected, you will be joining the team at a critical time in our calls for bold action to end homelessness in Wales. The postholder will be passionate about achieving fairness and equity, advocating for others, and achieving social justice through policy change.

About you

· Excellent knowledge of national and local government structures across Wales, with a proven track record for  effectively influencing policy

· Ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly and concisely to a range of audiences

· Dedication to seeking effective policy change to help end homelessness, valuing the importance of lived experience in policy development

· Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team, collaborating with colleagues and building a network across key partners

· Experienced in working in a busy environment, prioritising workloads and working to deadline

· While not essential for the role, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable

Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds. 

Working at Crisis 

Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.

Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.  

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including: 

· A competitive salary. Please note our salaries are fixed to counter inequity and we do not negotiate at offer stage.

• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy. 
• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5% 
• 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave. 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Flexible working around the core hours 10am-4pm 
• Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly 
• And more! (Full list of benefits available on website) 

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career. 

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

How do I apply?

Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.

Closing date: Sunday 18th January 2026 23:59

Interview process: Competency-based interview and a written task

Interview date and location: Friday 6th February 2026 (in-person) at Crisis Skylight, South Wales, 163 St Helens Road, Swansea, SA1 4DQ

AI in Job Applications

We understand some candidates use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we want to learn more about you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences

Accessibility 

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Talent Acquisition team will contact you to discuss how we can help. 

For more information about our work please visit

Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094 

The Senior Marketing Planning Manager in an exciting new role to Alzheimer’s Research UK. Sitting in the Marketing Planning team within Strategic Marketing, this role is accountable for making ARUK’s marketing system work end-to-end for bigger and better impact.

This role is responsible for the practical application of the overall marketing strategy into clear, prioritised and sequenced plans across the top of the marketing funnel, working closely with colleagues across Fundraising, Comms, Digital, Policy and Brand.

Operating with significant autonomy, the role embeds planning discipline, governance and rhythm across the organisation — ensuring the right activity happens at the right time, with the right level of investment, to deliver audience and income growth.

This is a senior management role, judged not by activity but by the clarity, efficiency and effectiveness of the marketing system.

Key Responsibilities:

Marketing Planning & Operating Model Leadership

· Own and embed ARUK’s Marketing Operating Model, ensuring planning principles, cycles, governance and tools are understood and consistently applied.

· Translate organisational priorities into an integrated annual and quarterly marketing plan.

· Ensure planning supports growth of our defined target audience and long-term fundraising outcomes.

Master Marketing Calendar Planning & Management

· Own and maintain the single Master Marketing Calendar to ensure a clear and complete view of what ARUK is communicating externally and when.

· Sequence campaigns to avoid clashes, duplication and audience fatigue.

· Enable informed trade-offs between activity based on capacity, impact and strategic priority.

Strategic Marketing & Communications Board Programme Management

· Act as Programme Manager for the Strategic Marketing & Communications Board.

· Ensure meetings are decision-focused, well-structured and supported by clear papers.

· Track actions, outcomes and follow-through to ensure decisions translate into delivery.

Campaign Planning Quality & Governance

· Lead consistent campaign briefing, prioritisation and review processes.

· Ensure Gold and Silver tier campaigns are properly planned, resourced and evaluated.

· Improve planning quality across teams, reducing late-stage changes and rework.

Cross-Organisational Leadership

· Coordinate input from Fundraising, Comms, Brand, Digital, Policy and Insight.

· Build strong working relationships and act as a trusted planning partner to Heads and Directors.

· Enable teams to focus on delivery by providing clarity, structure and coordination.

· Collaboration and briefing of media agency, creative and external partners to ensure visibility and understanding of priorities

People management

· Accountable for team development and line management of Senior Marketing Effectiveness Officer, including career development, performance reviews.

· Ensure outputs from Senior Marketing Effectiveness Officer are translated into strategy and activated in delivery.

Key Outputs

· Respected ownership of a single, trusted marketing plan and calendar actively used across the organisation.

· Effective, well-timed campaigns and clearer prioritisation.

· Improved confidence from senior leaders in marketing decision-making.

· Proactive planning and increased scheduling of external activity that makes the most of brand halo effect.

· Cross organisational planning forums that enable decisions.

What we are looking for:

· Significant experience leading multi-channel marketing or communications planning across multiple teams or functions.

· Strong understanding and experience of marketing planning frameworks, campaign cycles, and processes that support integrated delivery.

· Experience developing and implementing planning tools such as calendars, tiering frameworks, briefing processes, and governance systems.

· Demonstrable project management and organisational skills, with proven ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

· Experience of facilitating cross-functional collaboration and influencing stakeholders at all levels.

· Experience managing complex workloads and bringing clarity and structure in fast-paced environments

· Highly organised, able to create systems and processes that others can easily adopt.

· Strong communication skills — able to translate strategic direction into clear, actionable plans.

· Able to build strong relationships across teams and foster a collaborative approach.

· Confident in leading meetings, workshops, and cross-team discussions.

· A proactive problem-solver who anticipates risks and identifies solutions early.

· Comfortable holding others to account for agreed ways of working, timelines, and processes.

· Attention to detail with the ability to step back and see the bigger picture.

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £53,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 11th January 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2024, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement. This is the second consecutive time; we have been awarded a Best Companies 3-star accreditation.

We were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

· 18th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

· 10th in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

· 2nd in the 30 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK

Birthrights is recruiting a Campaigns and Policy Manager to help drive transformative change in maternity care. This is a powerful opportunity to shape national policy and campaigns that centre human rights, racial justice and the lived experiences of women and birthing people.

Reporting to the CEO, you will lead our policy and campaigns strategy, shaping how we influence government, the NHS, regulators and professional bodies. You will identify leverage points for change, develop strong and persuasive policy positions, and deliver bold, creative campaigns that challenge harmful practice and shift power. Working closely with our legal, information & advice, training and communications teams, you will ensure our policy and campaigning work is grounded in evidence, lived experience and human rights law.

You will also contribute strategically to Communities Imagine — a core organisational initiative rooted in racial justice, community leadership and a radical re-imagining of maternity care — while working alongside and supporting dedicated roles focused on its delivery.

Birthrights is a small but mighty charity with a national profile and a strong track record of influencing maternity policy and practice. We offer flexible, remote working, a supportive team culture and generous benefits.

If you are a values-driven campaigner with a passion for racial justice, reproductive justice and human rights, we would love to hear from you.

Closing date: 12 noon on Monday 26th January – please refer to the candidate pack for full details.

We are a charity representing and advocating for people living with dyslexia. Our mission is simple but powerful: to influence government and institutions so that society becomes truly dyslexia-friendly – enabling individuals of all ages to reach their full potential.

This is a key role leading our parliamentary engagement and policy development, ensuring that dyslexic children, young people, families, and adults have a strong voice in Westminster, Whitehall, and across the UK. Working closely with senior leaders, campaigns and media colleagues, and external partners, you’ll help shape policy and drive change in education, health, and employment.

Your work will make sure policymakers understand the barriers dyslexic people face - and the evidence-based solutions we champion. You’ll ensure our positions are grounded in lived experience, research, and best practice, and that our engagement is proactive, impactful, and aligned with our mission.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and deliver a parliamentary engagement strategy to advance our policy priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with MPs, Peers, Ministers, advisers, and civil servants.
• Provide timely briefings and strategic advice to senior leaders.
• Monitor political developments and identify opportunities for early influence.
• Lead policy research and produce clear, evidence-informed recommendations.
• Represent the charity at events, roundtables, and forums.
• Work collaboratively across teams to ensure policy insights inform campaigns and communications.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven, up-to-date experience in public affairs, parliamentary engagement, or a related policy-influencing role, with a  strong track record of delivering impact.
• Strong understanding of UK parliamentary and governmental processes.
• Excellent communication skills—able to translate complex issues into clear, compelling messages.
• Political awareness, strategic thinking, and confident networking ability.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and a passion for improving outcomes for dyslexic people.

Please review the full job description for complete details about the role, responsibilities, and person specification before applying.

Why Join Us?

This is your chance to make a real difference – shaping policy, influencing decision-makers, and helping create a society where dyslexic people can thrive. You’ll work in a collaborative, supportive environment with colleagues who share your passion for positive change.

Closing date: 14 January 2026 (5pm). We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received, so we encourage you to apply early.

Use of AI in Applications
We value the unique experience and perspective each candidate brings. While we understand that AI tools can be helpful in drafting applications, they can sometimes result in responses that feel generic or impersonal. This makes it harder for us to get a true sense of you.

To help your application stand out, we encourage you to write your responses in your own words. If you do use AI tools to support your writing, please treat the generated content as a starting point rather than a final answer. Make sure your application genuinely reflects your experience and voice.

Lead policy and research projects that shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. Join Belong and help create lasting change across the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a pivotal role in delivering high-impact projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are determined to deepen our impact, strengthen our resilience, and champion cohesion and integration at scale.

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation focused on building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Role
As Policy and Research Lead, you will design and deliver research and policy projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. You will produce high-quality outputs, translate evidence into actionable recommendations, and contribute to Belong’s thought leadership. This role combines strategic insight with hands-on delivery and offers the chance to shape national conversations on social cohesion.

Key Responsibilities

• Policy and Research Leadership

  • Lead the design and delivery of policy and research projects, ensuring quality, relevance, and impact.
  • Produce policy briefings, reports, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
  • Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
  • Ensure projects are inclusive, participatory, and informed by lived experience.
  • Monitor policy developments and contribute to strategic positioning and horizon scanning.

• Stakeholder Engagement

  • Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, researchers, funders, and sector leaders.
  • Represent Belong at external meetings, events, and networks.
  • Support collaborative research and policy initiatives with partners and commissioners.
  • Contribute to dissemination of Belong’s work through events, media, and digital channels.

• Internal Collaboration

  • Support the Director of Policy & Research in developing Belong’s policy influencing strategy.
  • Contribute to organisational learning and cross-team collaboration.
  • Assist with proposal development and funder engagement.
  • Line manage junior staff or associates as required.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and thoughtful leader with:

• Proven experience in leading policy and applied research programmes.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community development.
• Excellent project management and organisational abilities.
• Familiarity with participatory and inclusive research methods.
• Experience in income generation or bid development.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or related field.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
• Politically aware and intellectually curious.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and solutions-focused.
• Collaborative and inclusive.
• Practical, reliable, and detail-oriented.
• Committed to personal and professional development.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Hybrid working
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced programme manager who will oversee The Advice Workforce Development Fund (AWDF). AWDF is a collaborative programme dedicated to strengthening and sustaining the social welfare advice sector in London. The role will coordinate and run steering and advisory groups, and ‘task and finish’ groups, working with cross-sector stakeholders to enable the implementation of recent recommendations generated by research commissioned by the programme, and help with monitoring and evaluating the project and funded projects under this programme. The successful candidate will have strong project management skills, a commitment to social justice, and a track record of delivering impactful support to external partners.

The workforce development programme was created after working closely with a group of funders and advice sector representatives who are now steering group members. The programme has reached an exciting stage, as it transitions from a foundation-laying and research phase into more of a focus on influencing and implementation of the learning generated to date, while also maintaining and strengthening new and existing relationships. This role, with support from the Head of Sector Support and Grants and the CEO, will oversee the continued development and delivery of this exciting partnership into the longer-term. This role will also work closely with the Propel initiative under London Funders to ensure effective coordination of work is done at all levels.  

Policy and Public Affairs Manager
Harrogate, North Yorkshire

We offer hybrid working. 

About Us

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer.

Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.

As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.

The Benefits

We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more.

We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Policy and Public Affairs Manager to join our Research, Policy and Impact team.

Supporting the Head of Cancer Insight, you will continue to develop and deliver a policy and public affairs strategy, including influencing at a local, regional, and national level, with the aim of helping the charity achieve its strategy and bringing benefit to the people of Yorkshire. You will develop evidence-based policy reports and recommendations that can be used to influence a variety of audiences and project manage the development, delivery and evaluation of public affairs campaigns and events. As Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will also act as a source of expertise across the organisation and externally on key policy areas and the wider policy environment.

Specifically, you will:

Influencing

· Support the further development, refinement and delivery of the charity’s influencing strategy and impact evaluation process, in line with the charity’s own strategic ambitions.

· Lead the development of insightful written materials and reports to aid influencing.

· Lead the charity’s response to regional and national consultations relevant to cancer in Yorkshire, making a robust and evidence-based case for the charity’s position.

· Oversee the continued growth of the charity’s political monitoring work and ensure the effective pursuit of every opportunity offered.

· Engage with regional and national decision makers to influence policy-making for the benefit of people in Yorkshire and beyond.

· Grow relationships with key stakeholders across Yorkshire and beyond (such as DHSC, NHSE, Integrated Care Boards, Cancer Alliances, national policy groups, and other charities, to influence change based on policy recommendations.

Policy development

· Support the continued development of the policy production and dissemination process, including the policy development pathway, internal/external dissemination and impact evaluation.

· Lead the research, production and dissemination of high quality, evidence-based cancer-related policies and the strategic development of key policy recommendations.

· Oversee regular updates of existing policies and position statements, ensuring that topical policies are updated frequently.

· Ensure external insight is built into policies and policy development, such as gaining views from the Patient and Public Involvement Community, the inclusion of external patient and public contributors and endorsements from clinical and academic experts.

· Oversee work with relevant internal teams to create key messages for a range of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring these are in line with the latest evidence and are used correctly, and provide expert commentary on media stories.

· Act as a source of expertise on the charity’s cancer-related policies and position statements, both internally and externally. Undertake media interviews as required to communicate key messages with the public.

Campaigns and Events

· Project manage the development, delivery and evaluation of public affairs campaigns, in collaboration with the Brand and Relationships team where relevant, manage relationships with third parties to support campaign delivery where required.

· Lead the outreach and delivery of influencing events, including visits to charity-funded projects and party conference activity.

· Further develop and deliver of a strategy for growing and maintaining a handraiser supporter base, to enhance public affairs campaigns activity.

About You

To be considered for this role, you will need:

· To have a degree in a relevant subject area, for example public policy, public health, scientific, medical etc.

· To have substantial experience of writing influencing materials such as briefings, letters, blogs, campaign materials.

· To have substantial experience supporting the implementation of high impact campaigns that engage the public and are designed to influence. Experience of working on campaigns that encourage behaviour change.

· To have experience of evaluating campaigns, and assessing the impact of policy and public affairs activities.

· To have excellent Public Affairs experience including understanding of local, regional and national government, the current health policy landscape as well as knowledge of UK parliamentary processes along with a proven track-record of engaging politically to make change happen.

· To have substantial experience of developing evidence-based policies for a health focused organisation.

· To have substantial experience of communicating health policy positions to a variety of audiences including for influencing purposes.

· To have a good understanding of the health care system in England.

· To be a strategic thinker with strong analytical, judgement and decision-making skills.

· To be able to sift out the essential elements from a mass of complex information, integrate and synthesise ideas, and present information to others in an accessible way.

· To be a pro-active and creative approach to policy work with an ability to identify and use external opportunities and a desire to succeed.

· To have excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills with the ability to interpret complex information and communicate this to a range of audiences so it is clear and accessible.

· To have excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise work, handle conflicting demands and meet tight deadlines with exceptional levels of accuracy maintained.

· To have strong management and leadership skills, with the ability to coach team members to encourage continued development and learning.

· To have strong networking, influencing and relationship management skills, with the ability to inspire and influence others, as well as the confidence and personal authority to work with external organisations.

Application

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People,before 15 December 2025. Please read our privacy notice before applying.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer.  We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application please contact us via our website. 

The Degrees Initiative is a UK-based NGO that strengthens the capacity of the Global South to evaluate solar radiation modification (SRM), a controversial proposal for reducing some impacts of climate change by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth. Degrees is neutral on whether SRM should ever be used, but we believe that the Global South should be empowered to conduct their own research and to play a central role in SRM discussions. The initiative has been working in different forms for over a decade, and our work receives worldwide coverage and widespread acclaim. 

This is a unique opportunity to inform conversations on SRM in Africa. Rather than lobbying for outcomes, Degrees aims to support informed, independent policymaking by fostering connections between researchers and policymakers and strengthening institutional expertise. Degrees promotes regional research, creates spaces for policy-science dialogue, and supports the dissemination of Global South research.

Responsibilities

The Policy and Engagement Manager, Africa will strengthen the voice of the Global South in discussions and potential negotiations on SRM research and governance with relevance to Africa by connecting experts to policy processes. Accordingly, the successful candidate will: 

• Identify and engage key policy actors (e.g. national delegates and legislators, scientific advisors, intergovernmental officials) in Africa, connecting them to local SRM experts and providing them with information, where appropriate, while remaining neutral regarding the potential use and governance of SRM;
• Work with SRM researchers from the region to support the ongoing development of a coordinated community of experts; 
• Build informal and formal partnerships with like-minded organisations, helping to inform discussions and counter misinformation about climate and SRM.
• Share expertise and experience gained from Africa with staff and researchers and participate, as appropriate, in activities in Asia and the Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean to gain similar expertise;
• Identify the most impactful international forums and regional SRM discussions, and work to connect local experts into these; 
• Identify a core group of researchers interested in policy engagement, and facilitate and join their participation in governance fora such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNFCCC COP, UN Environment Assembly, and meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity;
• Support the execution and coordination of the Degrees policy engagement strategy in collaboration with other policy and programmatic staff; 
• Contribute to budgeting and alignment with programmes;
• Support monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) activities by contributing to tracking, documentation, and reporting of policy engagement outcomes;
• In cooperation with the communications staff, ensure the development of clear, contextualised briefing materials for policy makers and other audiences.