Public affair officer jobs

Reducing the Risk is an Oxfordshire-based charity with a growing regional and national reputation for delivering high-quality, victim-centred domestic abuse services. Established in 2007, we empower communities, train multi-agency professionals, and provide critical Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) services to ensure the safety and wellbeing of adults and children at risk.

We are now looking for an exceptional, values-driven leader to build on these strong foundations and guide us through our next exciting phase of growth and innovation.

The Role

As our next Chief Executive Officer, you will work closely with an ambitious Board of Trustees to shape and deliver the charity’s strategic plan. Inheriting a highly skilled, dedicated team of practitioners and a network of over 1,800 Domestic Abuse Champions, you will balance compassionate strategic vision with sound operational and financial leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the charity's strategic plan, driving innovation and service development across our local and national footprint.

• Income & Sustainability: Diversify income streams beyond traditional grants, growing our accredited training and consultancy services into sustainable earned revenue.

• Partnership & Influence: Act as the principal public voice for the charity, building high-impact relationships with statutory, corporate, and voluntary sector partners.

• People & Culture: Foster an inclusive, high-performing, and trauma-informed workplace culture that prioritises staff wellbeing.

• Governance & Compliance: Oversee robust risk management, safeguarding frameworks, and regulatory compliance alongside the Board.

Who We Are Looking For

You are a credible, resilient senior leader with a proven track record in the charity, public, or social impact sectors. While a background in the domestic abuse sector is highly valued, what matters most is your ability to navigate complex funding environments, secure multi-source income, and champion victim-centred practices. You are a collaborative relationship-builder who combines commercial awareness with genuine empathy and integrity.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your up-to-date CV alongside a covering letter explaining how your experience meets the job description and person specification.

• Application Deadline: Midday, 14th August

• Shortlisting: 19th August

• Interviews: 26th August (In-person at our Oxford office)

Head of Communications and Engagement
The Diocese of Winchester is seeking an exceptional communications leader to help shape how we tell the story of God's work across our Diocese. This is a strategic senior leadership role, responsible for leading our Communications & Engagement Team and developing a clear, engaging and effective communications strategy that supports our mission, vision and priorities.

Serving a population of over 1.2 million people across more than 230 parishes, the Diocese of Winchester is a diverse and vibrant community. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence how we communicate with clergy, parishes, schools, partners, media and the wider public, ensuring that people feel informed, connected and inspired by our shared mission.

About the Communications and Engagement Team
The Communications & Engagement Team supports the Diocese in sharing its vision, celebrating local stories, engaging stakeholders and managing communications across a wide range of activities. The team works collaboratively with colleagues across mission and ministry, safeguarding, schools, vocations, creation care and governance, ensuring that communications effectively support diocesan priorities and objectives.

What you’ll do

• Lead the development and delivery of the Diocese's communications and engagement strategy
• Shape and communicate key diocesan messages alongside senior leaders
• Build strong relationships with clergy, parish officers, Winchester Cathedral and external stakeholders
• Oversee media relations, press releases and crisis communications activity
• Lead communications campaigns around major church seasons, diocesan initiatives and strategic priorities
• Ensure the Diocese embraces best practice in digital communications, social media and emerging technologies, including AI
• Manage the Communications & Engagement Team, supporting and developing staff to achieve their full potential
• Build collaborative relationships with Church of England communications colleagues regionally and nationally

What we’re looking for

• Significant experience of developing and delivering communications and engagement strategies within a complex organisation
• Strong leadership and people management experience
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, media and influencing skills
• Experience of leading change and managing organisational risk
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Experience of budget management and strategic planning
• A collaborative and resilient approach, with the confidence to challenge constructively and build strong relationships
• A practising Christian who is committed to the mission and ministry of the Church and able to support the vision of the Diocese of Winchester

CVs are not accepted.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 31st July 2026.

Initial interviews for the role will take place on the 26th August 2026. If you are successful in the first interview, you will be invited to a second interview on the 7th September 2026. Both interviews will be held at the Diocesan Offices, Old Alresford Place SO24 9DH

The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking 2 x Public Affairs Officers to join our Media and Public Affairs team in the Communications and Engagement Directorate, providing key support in the delivery of our public affairs function.

The role

The post-holder(s) will play a central role in the work of the Public Affairs team, at an exciting time for the British Academy as we seek to extend and deepen our reach and influence with parliamentarians, Government, policymakers and other key stakeholders.

You will own and deliver influencing activities - independently and in collaboration with colleagues - that will build the Academy’s profile and increase awareness of the value and importance of the Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts (SHAPE) amongst our audience. You will work with Public Affairs colleagues to monitor external developments, horizon-scanning and pursuing opportunities for the Academy to be bold and proactive in engaging stakeholders.

An experienced public affairs professional, you will have a good level of UK political knowledge, including of the Devolved Nations and local and regional structures. You understand the range of tactics that can be used to influence Parliament and Government and will apply this knowledge to develop and deliver public affairs strategies that engage parliamentarians and key stakeholders with the Academy’s work.

You will be able to communicate and work effectively with colleagues across the Academy and a range of external stakeholders, including parliamentarians and their staff. You will help to build and strengthen stakeholder relationships and deliver an effective public affairs function for the Academy.

You will be highly organised and able to plan and manage a varied workload. You will use your editorial and political judgement to produce high-quality outputs - from communications materials to events - that will showcase the Academy’s evidence base and policy insights to stakeholders, helping to turn engagement into influence.

About the Academy

The British Academy is the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, culture, and societies. With a Fellowship of around 1,700 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas; engages the public with fresh thinking and debates; and brings together scholars, government, business, and civil society to influence policy.

The Academy currently has five directorates: Communications & Marketing; Development; Policy; Research; and Resources, plus a small Governance & Fellowship Team.

Working at the Academy

Our senior management team have worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning & development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success, as we move forward and continue to grow.

Terms and conditions

The British Academy is based at 10-11, Carlton House Terrace, London SW1, a Grade 1 listed building. We offer a competitive benefits package including a 35-hour working week, with hours and location worked flexibly under our hybrid-working policy; 34 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays; a subsidised canteen and an excellent occupational pension.

How to apply

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, in line with our commitment to create a diverse and inclusive working environment, promote equal opportunity, and address under-representation. We will make reasonable adjustments to support disabled job applicants and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria.

To apply, and to see the full job description and our workplace values, please follow the apply link to visit our recruitment platform. 

Closing date: Midday on 24 July 2026.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 17/18 August 2026, but this may be subject to change.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. In such circumstances, we will provide 24 hours' notice of the revised closing date to those who have registered their interest.

Our client, Parkinson's UK, is looking for an enthusiastic and well organised public affairs professional, with a good knowledge of how policy change works in Westminster and Whitehall. You’ll support their work to raise the profile of Parkinson’s UK, increase awareness of Parkinson’s and build strong relationships with Parliamentarians and civil servants. Supporting the policy advisers, you’ll keep a close eye on developments in Parliament and support colleagues in the devolved nations in their Parliamentary work.

Role (What you'll do)

• Monitor activity in Parliament that relates to Parkinson’s and share information with colleagues
• Draft briefings and materials to support their work to build effective relationships with key parliamentarians, influencers and civil servants
• Provide support to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Parkinson’s
• Support colleagues in devolved nations to ensure their public affairs work is aligned and supportive across the UK
• Support work to involve people with lived experience in the charity’s public affairs activities
• Produce inspiring communications about the organisation’s parliamentary activities that encourage their audiences to continue supporting their work
• Build a strong network with allies and partners in other charities and external groups.

Candidate (What you'll bring)

• Experience of working in Westminster or Whitehall or in the devolved nations’ assemblies
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to provide administrative support
• Experience in political analysis and of working in a political environment and a good understanding of policy issues in health and care, welfare, work, transport or the disability arena
• Ability to network and build supportive relationships at all levels, including with volunteers
• Experience of using creative ways of communicating messages to Parliamentarians and civil servants  
• Research, analytical and information gathering skills
• Ability to maintain political impartiality
• Ability to prioritise own workload effectively and support others in meeting challenging deadlines.

How to apply

To be considered, please send a copy of your CV, together with a supporting statement (max 2 sides of A4) fully demonstrating how you meet all the criteria of the role, as stated in the "What you'll bring" section of the job description, via the Redirect button.

Please note that this is not an entry-level role. We can only consider candidates who clearly demonstrate experience working within a public affairs/political environment. For example, you might be working for an MP, or within a charity/NGO policy/influencing team or within a public affairs agency.

Due to timing, we are ideally looking for candidates with no longer than one month's notice.
 

Please note that you must already have the right to work in UK to apply for this role.

Closing: 12pm, Tuesday 28 July

Interviews: Wednesday 5 and Friday 7 August (online)

Start date: As soon as possible

We're the UK's specialist blood cancer charity and our vision is clear: we’re here to beat blood cancer. We fund world-class research; provide information and support to patients and their loved ones; and raise awareness of blood cancer.

We are recruiting two Policy and Public Affairs Officers to join our Policy and Influencing team at Blood Cancer UK. One role will be based in London and focus on policy and public affairs activity across England and Wales, while the other will be based in Edinburgh and lead our work in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Both roles will play a vital part in ensuring that the voices of people affected by blood cancer are heard by decision-makers and that evidence-based solutions influence governments, health systems and policymakers across the UK.

Working as part of a collaborative UK-wide team, you will develop evidence-based policy positions, build and maintain relationships with parliamentarians, government officials and health stakeholders, and produce high-quality briefings and consultation responses. You will also represent Blood Cancer UK at meetings, events and stakeholder forums, helping to influence policy and drive meaningful change for people affected by blood cancer.

This role will require regular travel within your respective nations (England and Wales or Scotland and Northern Ireland) to attend meetings, events and stakeholder engagement activities. In addition, there will be occasional travel across the UK, including to London, Cardiff, or Edinburgh, Belfast and other locations, to support cross-UK influencing activity, team meetings and organisational events.

We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. In line with our strategy we welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minority communities, and applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives.

Expected interview dates: 

England & Wales

Thursday 30 July – first stage, online

Thursday 6 August – second stage, in person in our London office

Scotland & Northern Ireland

Tuesday 11 August – first stage, online

Tuesday 18 August – second stage, in person in our Edinburgh office

Closing Date: England and Wales: 9am on Thursday 23 July 2026; Scotland & Northern Ireland: 9am on Thursday 30 July 2026.

Job Title: Head of Communication and External Affairs

Reporting To: Director of Marketing and Communications

Salary Range: £55,000 to £60,000

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: London

Hours/Days per week: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Requirements: Felix can only employ applicants who currently have the right to work in the UK. As part of our safer recruitment policy, we do ask questions regarding unspent criminal records.

We are Felix

We bring people together to rescue, repurpose, and share surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, turning an environmental problem into a social opportunity.

Together with 16 other independent charities, 18,000 volunteers, and thousands of partners, we are the UK’s food rescue network, supporting 1.5 million people across the country.

We‘re about fuller plates, fuller communities, and fuller lives.

Purpose of the Job 

The Head of Comms and External Affairs will lead our narrative and steward our reputation at critical moment, following the merger of FareShare and The Felix Project to form the new Felix brand. The role will set the strategy and operating rhythm for a team of seven across media relations, internal communications and public affairs, ensuring Felix speaks with one clear, trusted and influential voice.

Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications and working alongside the Head of Brand Marketing who leads brand marketing and digital communication, the postholder will protect and build Felix's reputation, shape national and sector conversations on food redistribution, food waste and food insecurity, and help position Felix as a leading partner in the national endeavour to triple food redistribution in the UK.

The role will provide senior counsel to the CEO, Executive Team, trustees and senior leaders; lead high-quality media, stakeholder and parliamentary engagement; and ensure internal communications support colleagues, volunteers and partners through integration, change and growth.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Set and lead an integrated external affairs strategy for Felix, aligned to organisational strategy, the post-merger integration plan, the refreshed brand and the national programme to expand food redistribution.
• Lead, develop and empower a multidisciplinary team of seven across media relations, internal communications and public affairs, directly managing three discipline leads and building clear priorities, standards and ways of working.
• Lead Felix's media relations and reputation management, securing proactive national, regional and sector coverage, overseeing reactive press office activity, preparing spokespeople, managing issues and crisis communications and working closely with the digital marketing team.
• Working closely with the CEO and policy colleagues, leading public affairs and influencing activity, building trusted relationships with government, parliament, food industry partners, redistribution networks, funders and sector coalitions to advance Felix's mission and policy objectives.
• Set the strategic direction for internal communications, ensuring staff, volunteers, network partners and other internal audiences understand the charity's vision, values, priorities and change journey.
• Develop clear narratives, messages, evidence and thought leadership that explain Felix's mission, impact and role in creating a fairer and more sustainable food system.
• Provide expert advice to the Executive Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications, CEO, Executive Team, trustees and senior leaders on reputation, stakeholder positioning, media risk, political context and communications opportunities.
• Work closely with the Head of Brand Marketing to ensure external affairs, brand marketing, fundraising, digital communication and operational communications are integrated, consistent and mutually reinforcing.
• Embed professional standards, risk management, evaluation and compliance across the function, including political impartiality, charity law, safeguarding, data protection, media protocols and inclusive communications.
• Bring innovation and experimentation to the development of content and wider communications offer.
• Your normal duties and responsibilities will be set out in your job description. However, the charity may require you to perform other duties from time to time. 

Recruitment timeline 

We reserve the right to close advertisements early and we might assess candidates and arranging interview as applications come in, so please apply as soon as possible, to avoid missing out on this opportunity.  

Due to the anticipated large number of applicants, if you do not hear from us within four weeks of your application, we regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful. Consequently, will not be able to provide feedback.

PR and Policy Officer

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced PR and Policy Officer to help secure high quality media coverage as well as supporting policy development and political influencing work.

Position: PR & Policy Officer

Location: Bradley, Huddersfield/Hybrid

Hours: Part-time, 27 hours per week

Salary: £30,000 - £32,000 pro rata dependant on experience

Duration: Permanent

Benefits: Include 26 days paid holiday (rising to 30 days with service increments) plus 8 bank holidays, Personal Pension Scheme, Healthcare Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, Staff Awards Scheme, Company Sick Pay Scheme, Flexible working patterns

The Role

The role is critical to ensuring that the organisation is at the forefront of the debate on early years education and childcare.

Working with the PR & Policy Manager, you will take responsibility for monitoring media coverage, creating engaging content for press releases and news features, as well as supporting the Director of Policy and Communications with stakeholder engagement and policy research.

Responsibilities include:

• Support the PR & Policy Manager to deliver the media relations strategy
• Identify and create print, broadcast and digital opportunities for maximising the reach and impact of key messaging
• Support work of the Director of Policy and Communications to increase awareness of early years policy priorities among politicians across all parties
• Develop work programmes and undertake research to explore policy issues
• Liaise with press and media contacts to maximise positive exposure and coverage across UK national and trade media
• Manage the day-to-day operation of media and policy contacts
• Support in finding suitable nurseries as case studies and spokespeople for the press and broadcast media
• Assist with internal and external speaking engagements
• Write and produce material for a range of member communications.

About You

As PR and Policy Officer, we are looking for someone who will bring enthusiasm and creativity to the role. You will be educated to degree level or have gained equivalent experience working in a similar role. You will have outstanding communication skills, have experience of writing for diverse audiences (e.g. newsletters, social media content, briefing papers, press releases) and have excellent editorial and proofreading skills with consistent accuracy. You will also possess strong data analysis skills to draw results, trends and conclusions from qualitative or quantitative data sources.

To apply you will be asked to submit your CV along with a covering letter detailing how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role.

About the Organisation

The organisation is a national charity and membership association specifically for nurseries working in partnership with nurseries, local authorities, national government and a range of partners to develop an environment in which early learning and care can flourish.

The organisation is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and is actively opposed to discrimination in society.

You may have experience in areas such as PR Officer, Policy Officer, PR and Policy, PR and Policy Executive, Public Affairs Officer, Planning Policy Officer, Public Affairs and Policy Officer,  Public Relations Officer, Planning Policy Officer, Public Relations and Policy Officer, Marketing Officer, Communications Officer, Marketing and Communications Officer, Marketing and Communications Executive, Marketing and Communications Assistant, Marketing and Communications Policy Officer, Social Media Officer, Digital Marketing Officer, Print Media, Broadcast Media, Media and Policy Officer, EYF.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People. 

Job purpose:

 The postholder will provide public affairs and policy support for the Association’s Advocacy and Campaigns programme as key elements in the Association’s strategic plan.

This role is based at our head office in 21 Portland Place, London. We offer a hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week.

Key responsibilities:

•  Assist the organisation with developing its external voice by responding to policy developments and parliamentary opportunities, bringing together members’ views, evidence and information.
• Monitor relevant parliamentary business and produce short summaries of events where appropriate.
• Track the progress of relevant legislation, committee inquiries and consultations.
• Develop briefings and position statements setting out the Association’s views on issues relevant to membership, that support the advocacy and campaigns work and topical issues.
• Prepare briefings in advance of, and attend, where appropriate, meetings with key stakeholders and organise meetings when required.
• Assist with the developing and updating of stakeholder maps and spreadsheets.
• Assist with the development of campaigns by carrying out research and producing supporting briefings.
• Support the Head of Public Affairs and Policy with producing responses to consultations and policy developments, following up on finalised responses and taking forward related actions.
• Produce statements, latest news updates and contributions to the Association’s publications that promote the policy, advocacy and campaigns work.
• Encourage member engagement on relevant policy issues and campaigns via the Association’s website and other online and offline communication tools.
• Build strategic relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external, to facilitate collaborative working on priority campaign areas.
• Work with the Digital Content Team to make sure the website and social media are kept up to date with current policy developments and announcements

Operational management

• To work on individual projects, reports, events and publications within the Association as directed by the Head of Public Affairs and Policy.
• Maintain and improve your own competencies through continuous professional development.
• Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice as described in the Staff Handbook.
• Support and promote the Association’s commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace.

This job description is intended to reflect the main duties and responsibilities of the post and is not an exhaustive list of duties. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties which are commensurate with the role.

Person specification

Skills, knowledge and experience

Essential

Educated to degree level or equivalent (e.g. relevant professional qualifications and/or vocational training).

Excellent oral communication skills and written communications skills, with particular emphasis on attention to detail (spelling and grammar).

Experience of writing policy statements and briefings and articulating these clearly to decision-makers and stakeholders.

Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of people including staff, Board, Council, members, stakeholders from other organisations.

Strong time management skills including an ability to manage competing requests and an ability to prioritise.

Well-developed IT skills, including the Microsoft Office suite of products.

Demonstrable experience in parliamentary affairs and an excellent knowledge of the UK political landscape.

Desirable

An understanding of current policy issues affecting the health sector.

Experience of working in a membership organisation.

Experience of working in a political environment.

Strategic thinking and interest in contributing to innovation and change.

Experience of engaging with political monitoring organisations and database management.

Digital copywriting skills and experience of writing for web or social media, and content management systems.

Applications close on 31 July and interviews will take place on 11 August.

Head of Communications & Public Affairs

The Head of Communications & Public Affairs is a pivotal role at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) promoting our world-leading work in science, conservation, horticulture, and education.

Working as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, this role will lead the organisation’s approach to strategic communications, seeking opportunities to engage external audiences, disseminate key messages, and raise RBGE’s profile on a national and international stage through press and media engagement.

With oversight of the communications and publishing functions, this role will also provide key support to the Regius Keeper and the Executive Team in shaping engagement and communication strategies with political stakeholders across the Scottish and UK governments.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact in the next phase of RBGE’s corporate strategy, strengthening key policy relationships and promoting RBGE’s expertise to deliver real impact in the fight against the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

Closing date:                            09:00am (BST) on Monday 20 July 2026        
First interview date:               30 July 2026
Second interview date: 5 August 2026

Recruitment information: 

Further details on the job description, person specification, and how to apply can be found in the candidate pack for the role on our website here: Head of Communications and Public Affairs Candidate Pack

Founded in 1681 by King Charles II, the Royal Hospital Chelsea has stood for centuries as a national symbol of gratitude to the soldiers who have served our country, and is home to the iconic Chelsea Pensioners. Today, the Hospital’s role remains to ensure that those who have served are always supported.

We are now looking for a proactive and creative Press Officer to support the delivery of our press and media, helping bring the stories of the Chelsea Pensioners to life and ensuring they reach audiences across local, regional and national media.

If you’re an excellent writer with a strong news instinct, some experience in PR or journalism, and a desire to work with meaningful, human stories – this could be the role for you.

Where you fit in

You’ll join an ambitious Development, Marketing and Communications team focused on raising the Royal Hospital’s profile, increasing fundraising income, and building new audiences through compelling, emotive storytelling.

Supporting the Communications and PR Manager, you’ll play a key role in delivering an ‘always-on’ press office, ensuring our stories land where they matter and contribute to organisational objectives.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll support the delivery of proactive and reactive PR activity, helping to generate consistent coverage and maintain strong media relationships.

You will:

• Support the delivery of ‘always-on’ PR, securing regular local and national coverage
• Manage the observance calendar to identify opportunities around key dates such as Founder’s Day and Remembrance
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists and media contacts
• Draft press releases, media briefings and Chelsea Pensioner case studies
• Play a key role in the day-to-day running of a busy press office, handling media enquiries quickly and effectively
• Coordinate media visits, facilitating interviews with Chelsea Pensioners and spokespeople
• Monitor and evaluate coverage, maintaining tracking and reporting tools

· Support the team with gathering of digital/social content to support the Royal Hospital’s press and wider marcomms objectives.

• Ensure records are accurate, up to date and GDPR compliant

We’re looking for someone who is:

• A strong writer, able to produce clear, compelling content tailored to different audiences
• Experienced in PR, communications or journalism (ideally within a charity or purpose-led organisation)
• Developing relationships with media and building a strong contacts base
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Confident working both independently and as part of a team
• Sensitive and empathetic when working with personal and beneficiary stories
• Calm under pressure, with a good understanding of reputational considerations
• IT literate, including Microsoft Office and media monitoring tools

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your career in PR within a national institution, working on stories that have real impact and meaning.

To apply: please submit your CV and a covering letter of up to 500 words.

Early applications are encouraged as we will be reviewing applications and interviewing candidates throughout the recruitment process.

Charity People is delighted to be partnering once again with Maudsley Charity to recruit an External Affairs and Influencing Manager.

A hugely exciting new role within the Communications team at the charity, the postholder will work across media, external affairs and influencing to engage with key stakeholders, boost the charity's profile, and promote learning and adoption of the solutions the organisation funds. You will be responsible for sharing evidence and learning in order to influence the people who fund, adopt and commission mental health care and services, and will work closely with the CEO to increase engagement with policy work which the Maudsley Charity undertakes through it's work in coalitions.

External Affairs and Influencing Manager
Contract: Full time, permanent role
Salary: £48,000 per annum
Location: Hybrid role between home and London office, with two days per week in the Denmark Hill office
Closing date for applications: 9am on Tuesday 28th July

First round interviews will be held remotely on: Thursday 13th August
Second round interviews will be held in person on: Thursday 20th and Friday 21st August

About Maudsley Charity

Maudsley Charity funds and supports clinical, academic, and community partners to ensure that everyone experiencing mental illness can access the right care, while using insights from their work to drive wider improvements across the UK.

Recognising the profound impact of mental illness and the inequalities in access, experience, and outcomes - particularly those linked to social deprivation and racism - the organisation focusses on addressing gaps in care.

With an approach that combines evidence, lived experience, and a commitment to equity, the organisation backs impactful, evidence-based solutions, ensuring services are shaped by real-world insight, and prioritising support for those most underserved to drive improvements that benefit all.

About the role

This is a core role within the organisation's influencing strategy, and your primary responsibilities will include:

External Affairs & Influencing:

• Develop and deliver influencing plans to promote adoption of effective mental health care initiatives being funded by the charity
• Develop productive relationships with key stakeholders (journalists, NHS trust leaders, ICBs, ICSs, VCSE orgs) to gather intelligence and shape strategy to inform the charity's positioning
• Lead the charity's thought leadership development providing strategic advice to senior leadership on political, NHS and mental health policy developments
• Strengthen the charity's role in mental health policy and advocacy coalitions, by contributing to collaborative advocacy, media and communications outputs
• Lead the charity's response to government mental health care consultations and calls for evidence
• Monitor funder sector trends and conversations, and actively seek out opportunities for the charity to strategically engage and influence by sharing learning from its grant making practice

Media management

• Develop and implement integrated external affairs campaigns that support the charity's influencing work
• Create persuasive materials, including press releases, op-eds, spokespeople briefings, comment pieces, and digital content and pitch to relevant outlets
• Maintain and grow relationships with journalists, broadcasters and sector media to secure relevant high-quality coverage of the charity's activities, grant holders and their projects
• Act as first point of contact for media enquiries, managing proactive and reactive press activity
• This role is expected to grow and develop and the postholder will be fully supported from across the organisation as the position evolves, within an organisation that offers a friendly, values led culture.

We would love to hear from individuals with the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrable track record of developing and implementing successful influencing strategies in the mental health sector
• Experience of stakeholder management within mental health care, including NHS Trust leaders, Integrated Care Boards, commissioners and senior clinicians, and with academics and researchers
• Strong experience in media relations, including briefing senior spokespeople, drafting press releases, media handling, and securing media coverage with a good understanding of the needs and expectations of different outlets and publications
• Keen understanding of the NHS, mental health policy landscape, and the related environment, key stakeholders and sector drivers
• Understanding of the key components and considerations of successful external affairs media and influencing
• Understanding of the sensitivities around mental illness, including working in an empathetic manner with people with lived experience
• Understanding of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles and a commitment to apply them in your work and as an organisation
• Influencing skills including confidence and credibility in working with stakeholders,
• Communication skills and the ability to produce clear and effective communications and the ability to confidently and accurately represent the organisation externally
• Written and editorial skills including the ability to craft narratives for different external audiences and communicate the charity's work in press releases, articles, policy briefs

How to apply

Maudsley Charity is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented backgrounds. We welcome applications from non-graduates.

Applications are managed via Charity People and involve a structured, anonymised process focusing on your experience and potential. Please send your CV to Alice at Charity People in the first instance.

Please see full job pack and job description attached.

We held an 'Ask Us Anything' Webinar via Zoom on Thursday 16th July where the Maudsley staff answered some questions. Please contact us to receive the recording link if you think you might find this helpful.

Equal Opportunities monitoring

We ask that applicants complete our DEI monitoring form when submitting their CV for this role.

Maudsley Charity is an equal opportunities employer, and makes no discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sex. Specifically, we will also oppose unfair discrimination of those with mental health issues.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

“IPSO protects the public interest by promoting high quality journalism and defends the public when editorial standards fall short.”

Charlotte Dewar, IPSO Chief Executive

IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation – is the regulator of most newspapers, magazines, and digital news in the UK. We are a small but influential and high-profile organisation with a clear and important purpose. We place a strong emphasis on personal development for staff and provide excellent training opportunities and a supportive work culture.

We are recruiting a communications officer to cover maternity leave within our committed, friendly, and dynamic team.

Reporting to the Head of Communications, you will play a key role in delivering IPSO’s communications activities, with a strong focus on digital channels and social media, internal communications, and day‑to‑day management of the IPSO website.

About the role

The key role responsibilities will be to:

• Plan, create and manage digital communications and social media content across IPSO channels, using analytics to monitor performance and support organisational priorities
• Manage and update the IPSO website using WordPress, including day‑to‑day communications, publishing rulings, and ensuring accuracy, accessibility and basic SEO standards
• Produce and edit a wide range of communications materials, including newsletters, news releases, internal updates, and briefings, ensuring alignment with IPSO’s purpose and regulatory role.
• Provide broader communications support, including media monitoring and reporting, handling press enquiries as directed, and assisting with IPSO events and conferences.

Skills and experience

We are looking for an experienced and proactive communications officer to cover maternity leave for a minimum of six months, starting in August or September 2026.

Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, the postholder will create clear, engaging content, monitor media coverage, and help ensure IPSO’s communications are accurate, accessible and aligned with its role as regulator of UK digital news, newspapers and magazines.

A personal interest in current affairs and the news industry is a must, but there is no need for a degree or qualification in this area. You will have strong interpersonal skills, an ability to get things done, and you will enjoy working with a range of colleagues and stakeholders.

You’ll also have excellent written skills and superb project management skills.

At IPSO, we want to create a culture which recognises, values, and respects that people are different. We believe that representing the diversity of the society in which we work is fundamental to our goals of protecting people and promoting freedom of expression.

We are committed to promoting a fair and inclusive workplace where all our people can flourish and reach their full potential. We know diverse teams allow for a more creative and productive environment and we strongly encourage applications from a wide range of people regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender (identity, expression or reassignment), marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief and socio-economic background.

What we can offer you

This is a chance to deliver the communications of a high‑profile, independent regulator at the heart of the UK media landscape working on complex, high‑profile issues relating to journalism, regulation and press freedom.

This contract is for at least six months covering maternity leave. There is a competitive starting salary of £32,960, 25 days of paid annual leave (pro rata), and excellent additional benefits.

The role is full-time, and IPSO offers hybrid working to all staff. All staff work two core days (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) in our Central London office; members of the senior management team work an additional day in the office. New staff may be asked to come in for more days while they familiarise themselves with the organisation.

How to apply

Candidates are required to attach a Diversity Monitoring form, which can be found on our website. Please note that although this form is required for applications to be considered, candidates are free to opt out of any questions.

To apply, please read the full job description and forward your CV and you must include a cover letter outlining briefly why you are interested in the role and how you are suitable, along with the Diversity Monitoring form by midday on Monday 27 July.

Interviews will take place on Thursday 6 August in London.

IPSO will reimburse reasonable travel costs for attending interviews. If you require a reasonable adjustment, please include that information with your application. In-person interviews are preferred but IPSO conducts interviews by video call where needed and candidates choosing this option will not be disadvantaged. The job description for the position can be found on our website.

We have an exciting opportunity for a driven and strategic individual to lead our efforts to tackle one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time.

This is a pivotal moment for public health in Wales. Following the 2026 Senedd elections, a new Government has been elected with a clear mandate to prioritise prevention, including the appointment of Wales's first-ever Minister for Preventive Health. This is an opportunity to influence policy and strategy at the highest level, shaping the future of obesity prevention and treatment nationwide.

In this dynamic role, you'll be at the forefront of our efforts to tackle the growing number of people living with obesity and overweight in Wales. Working together with the coalition of charities and organisations, you will represent a collective voice with strong ambitions for change. With obesity linked to serious conditions, including type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and cardiovascular disease, your work will have a direct and meaningful impact on the health and well-being of communities across Wales.

Citizens UK

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Living Wage Foundation

The Living Wage movement began in 2001, after Citizens UK brought together communities in East London to discuss poverty and low pay. The campaign grew in momentum and soon required a mechanism to recognise employers who wanted to join the movement, which saw the establishment of the Living Wage Foundation in 2011.

Still part of Citizens UK today, the Living Wage Foundation continues to work with community organisations to make sure the voices of both workers and businesses are part of the Living Wage movement. We now work with over 16,000 employers, benefitting half a million people and winning over £3bn of better wages for people who need it most. 

Citizens UK works with a broad base of institutions across the political spectrum. At the Living Wage Foundation, we take the same deliberately broad-based approach and accredit all organisations who pay the real Living Wage to their directly and indirectly employed staff and are committed to tackling in work poverty.  As a team we work across a range of industries and sectors to achieve this mission. We seek pragmatic coalitions to progress specific campaigns, and partnership around a particular issue such as Living Wage, does not imply an endorsement of broader purpose and policies. We are a non-partisan organisation and work with partners across the political spectrum to advance our mission.

Purpose

The Living Wage Foundation is seeking an experienced and driven Senior Media and Communications Manager to join our team for a 12-month contract. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organised and proactive communications professional with a strong background in media relations, public messaging, and team leadership. The ideal candidate will be experienced and confident in working to tight deadlines, responding to last-minute changes, and prioritising competing demands in a high-profile environment. They will be motivated to amplify the Living Wage Foundation’s mission of tackling low pay and insecure work.

The postholder will lead all media, messaging, and external affairs work, developing and implementing a proactive media strategy that supports our mission and key campaigns, such as Living Wage Week and the annual Rates announcement. As a skilled media professional, you will oversee all communications outputs, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment, while delivering media training and refining key messaging to maximise reach and impact. 

In this role, you will be instrumental in advancing our political engagement efforts, building cross-party support and working with political leaders, mayoral teams, and other key stakeholders to promote our initiatives. You’ll manage two direct reports (Events Manager and Media Manager) who each hold line management responsibilities, and you will play a critical role within our Senior Management Team, collaborating closely with the Head of Communications to shape the overall direction of our communications work. This role will work closely with Citizens UK colleagues, including the Citizens UK communications team on cross-organisational priorities.  You will report to the Head of Communications.

As a senior leader, you will be responsible for managing and allocating part of the communications team budget, expanding team capacity, and driving the team’s effectiveness. In collaboration with other senior managers, you will help foster a culture that values creativity, innovation, and strategic impact.

Main Responsibilities

Contribute to CUK mission and its strategic objectives:

• Provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s media strategy, ensuring it aligns with broader organisational, communications, and campaign goals, and establish clear processes for evaluating its success.

• Work alongside other Senior Managers across Citizens UK on cross-organisational activity including through the Senior Management Group

• Support the Living Wage Foundation’s Political Engagement Strategy by building and sustaining cross-party support for the organisation’s mission and objectives.

Situational awareness and research:

• Lead regular updates on key audiences, tracking positions on issues of interest and ensuring the team is fully informed.

• Guide the team in proactive media monitoring, enabling timely responses to significant developments.

• Collaborate with the Senior Research Manager to conduct and commission impactful research, driving media campaigns that effectively reach and engage target audiences.

Strategy development:

• Work alongside other Senior Managers in the Communications Team to shape and guide the overall communications strategy.

Lead on all media and messaging outputs, including developing high-quality materials, coordinating media events, and delivering media training.

Reputational & risk management:

• Develop and manage the organisation’s risk register, offering strategic oversight and serving as a primary contact for crisis communications.

• Manage and respond to reactive media enquiries promptly, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s values and objectives.

• Draft key messages and FAQs for media interviews and public responses, and advise senior leadership on sensitive media or reputational issues.

• Represent the Living Wage Foundation effectively in senior stakeholder interactions and participate in out-of-hours press duties when needed.

Materials development and dissemination:

• Oversee the Media Team in producing engaging press releases, blogs, opinion pieces, and media briefings to elevate the Living Wage Foundation’s profile and the voices of workers and employers within the Living Wage movement.

• Ensure media outputs and communications reflect the organisation’s values and uphold a consistent voice.

• Create and refine key messaging for public communications, including FAQs and response guides.

Social media and website

• Ensure consistency in messaging and alignment across all media and digital platforms in collaboration with the wider communications team.

External relationships (including media and press)

• Lead employer case study development, identifying and preparing Living Wage employers to speak to media and champion a real Living Wage.

• Drive stakeholder engagement efforts, cultivating valuable relationships with Living Wage employers, campaign partners, and media contacts.

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists across print, digital, and broadcast media to secure quality coverage.

• Collaborate with the Public Engagement Team to draft emails, speeches, speaker notes, briefings, and press notices for political engagements.

• Strengthen and maintain broad cross-party support for the Living Wage agenda.

Campaign & events management

• Provide a link between Events team and Senior Leadership Team to ensure efficient decision-making around key events.

• Lead on media and messaging elements of agreed comms-led campaigns.

Internal comms & knowledge management

• Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive press database, mapping key media contacts and publications in line with the Living Wage Foundation’s objectives.

Internal relationships

• Work closely with the Senior Digital and Communications Manager to guide and oversee team initiatives.

• Provide line management and development support to the Media Manager and Events Manager.

Learning, expertise & DEI

• Lead media training sessions for LWF staff and Living Wage employers, enhancing their confidence and effectiveness in media engagements.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the LWF and Citizens UK, including communications and DEI teams, to develop and implement ethical storytelling practices, ensuring lived experience is represented responsibly, inclusively, and in line with organisational guidance.

• Contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture.

• Ensure accessibility is embedded across communications and events, working with relevant teams to implement best practice and organisational guidance.

Person Specification

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential

Experience

· Proven experience and a strong understanding of the UK media landscape, with experience building relationships with journalists and securing high-quality media coverage. (E)

· Experience in line managing and leading a team. (E)

· Demonstrated experience in managing sensitive reputational issues, including risk assessment and crisis communications. (E)

· Skilled in leveraging real-life stories and case studies to drive engagement, including experience in leading media training for spokespeople. (E)

· Strong track record in designing and executing high-impact communications strategies that achieve measurable results. (E)

· Experience of working collaboratively across teams and influencing senior stakeholders to achieve shared objectives. (E)

· Experience of working with a range of voices and perspectives, including community, worker or lived experience storytelling. (D)

Key skills and knowledge

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce and edit clear, engaging content suitable for media, digital and public audiences. (E)

• Competence in using social media platforms to engage audiences effectively, understanding their role in broader media strategies. (D)

• Proficiency in evaluating campaigns and media outputs, with the ability to derive insights that inform future strategies. (E)

• Strong interpersonal skills for building effective relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders, including political audiences. (E)

• Solid understanding of the political landscape and public affairs, with experience engaging cross-party stakeholders (E).

Personal qualities & values

• An enthusiasm for media and communications, coupled with a strong commitment to the mission of the Living Wage Foundation. (E)

• Ability to lead, support and develop high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive working environment. (E)

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with an understanding of how to communicate responsibly and ethically about lived experience. (E)

About the application process

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role.

For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.

Interviews will be held 17th and 18th August.