Public affairs manager jobs

Role outline and purpose

To manage policy and public affairs influencing in Wales to ensure effective delivery of Trussell’s strategy to achieve policy and secure policy change that ends the need for food banks.

To contribute to the delivery of the wider goals of the Making Social Security Work programme across the UK and to the Prioritising Hunger & Hardship, Supportive Communities and Holistic Advice programmes in Wales.

Key responsibilities

Support the development and delivery of Trussell’s strategy to end the need for food banks in Wales.

· Supports the development and delivery of Trussell’s strategy to end the need for food banks in Wales. This includes planning influencing opportunities, developing relationships, and shaping asks to advance Trussell’s mission in Wales, contributing to the successful delivery of our overall strategy.

Deliver policy, public affairs, and advocacy in Wales.

· Deliver policy development, public affairs, and advocacy activity to contribute towards the goals of the organisation’s Wales strategy and achieve policy change. This includes working closely with Wales based colleagues to represent Trussell in the media and at external events, managing social media, direct engagement with MS’s. MP’s, ministers, advisers and officials, preparing briefings and co-ordinating events and advocacy activity across Wales that secures impactful engagement. This ensures a coherent, effective influencing programme is delivered that drives policy change and strengthens organisational credibility.

Build strong evidence base for Wales.

· Work with programme teams across Trussell and with external partners to ensure strong evidence base for Wales and ensure our evidence is shared externally and has impact. This includes sharing research findings with a range of audiences and external stakeholders through written and verbal briefings and working collaboratively with programmes across Trussell to build robust evidence base for the organisation’s policy and public affairs influencing and profile in Wales.

Develop effective partnerships and networks.

· Build collaborative external partnerships and develop networks to strengthen policy and public affairs activity in Wales, represent Trussell and promote the organisation’s policy positions to external stakeholders and audiences. This includes working with Wales based colleagues to represent the organisation in key Welsh sector coalitions and promoting the organisations policy positions and evidence to external stakeholders, to build awareness of the issues driving people to use food banks in Wales and our policy solutions.  

Support effective campaigning.

· Work with campaign colleagues, food bank-facing colleagues in Wales and the food bank network to shape and deliver effective campaign activity that advances the organisation’s goals and strategy in Wales and across the UK.  This includes working with Wales based colleagues to shape campaign activity, advise on the political context, and support mobilisation. This ensures campaigns are well informed, relevant to Wales and contribute meaningfully to UK wide programme objectives.

Person Specification

Core knowledge:

· Good knowledge of policy issues relevant to Trussell’s vision and expertise on the policies that drive hunger and hardship in Wales.

· Significant knowledge of the political landscape in Wales and of effective techniques for influencing change.

· Good understanding of research methods and of how to ensure high quality and credible evidence is deployed effectively.

Essential skills:

· Strong skills in effectively influencing political and public debates and working with politicians and policymakers across the political spectrum.

· Good ability to think strategically, demonstrate effective decision-making and ensure practical delivery of impactful activities.

· Excellent communication skills, including written, presentations and speaking, ability to adapt to influence different audiences.

· Collaborative interpersonal skills, ability to build relationships and influence internal and external stakeholders.

· Effective project management and ability to balance competing priorities and meet tight internal and external deadlines.

Key Experience:

· Track record of delivering effective policy and public affairs activity and achieving impact, ideally in Wales.

Special Requirements

None

Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to uniting for a life unlimited for everyone affected by cystic fibrosis. We're working towards a brighter future for everyone with cystic fibrosis (CF) by funding cutting-edge research, driving up standards of care and supporting people with the condition and their loved ones every step of the way.

If you are passionate about driving change through policy and influencing and you want to play a pivotal role in improving the lives of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) join us as our next Policy and Public Affairs Manager and help shape a future where everyone with CF can access the treatments and care they need.

In this impactful role, you will lead the delivery of our policy and public affairs work across a defined portfolio, with a strong focus on ensuring people with CF have access to life-changing treatments and improving standards of care across the UK for people with CF – both now and in the future.

Working closely with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs, you will turn strategic priorities into compelling influencing plans and high-quality policy outputs. You’ll ensure our voice is heard where it matters most – across government, healthcare systems, and key stakeholders – to drive meaningful improvements in outcomes for people living with CF.

In this role, you will take ownership of:
 

• Leading the development of robust, evidence-based policy positions
• Designing and delivering effective public affairs and influencing strategies
• Building and managing relationships with key stakeholders and decision-makers
• Ensuring our work is grounded in the lived experiences of people with cystic fibrosis

You will also line manage one Policy and Public Affairs Officer.

This is an opportunity to combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, using your expertise to influence real change in a highly respected health charity.

If you are an experienced policy and public affairs professional with a passion for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

We offer a range of benefits including flexible working, 30 days annual leave plus recognised bank holidays, contributory pension scheme, healthcare cash plan, shopping discounts club, enhanced maternity/adoption pay, free tea and coffee in the office, employee assistance programme and opportunities for learning and development.

This is a UK based role and offers a flexible location; however, if London office-based, a minimum of 40% working hours per week in the office is required. If home-based, travel to London office will be required in line with business needs.

Please note you will need to have the right to work in the UK before starting work with us and we will check this. We do not hold a Home Office Sponsorship Licence and therefore cannot offer visa sponsorship for our roles.

Closing date and interview date

Closing date for completed applications: 23:59 on Monday 27 April 2026

Interviews expected week commencing: Monday 4 May 2026 

We reserve the right to bring forward or extend the closing date if necessary.  Therefore, if you are interested in this role, please submit your application as early as possible.

How to apply

Before applying, please ensure you read the job description attached, for more information about the role. 

Applications should be made through our recruitment portal Hireful and to apply, please select ‘Apply Now’.

No media or agencies please.

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace

Cystic Fibrosis Trust aims to be an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs, can be themselves and achieve their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain staff with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives; particularly people who have cystic fibrosis, people who identify as being from an ethnic minority group, as LGBTQ and people with disabilities. 

It is our policy not to discriminate against any person because of their age, gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability (physical and mental), race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation or union membership.

REF-227 918

Senior Public Affairs and Policy Manager 

London 

£50,956 to £53,000

Working hours – full time (35 hours a week) - you’ll agree your working pattern with your manager (core working hours are 10:00 - 16:00).

Location – London and homeworking (minimum 6 days a month in the London office, anchor day in the office every Wednesday)

Purpose and scope

Are you looking for a policy role where you can make a difference? Our client is looking for a Senior Public Affairs and Policy Manager to grow their influence with government and in UK parliament to ensure the voice of physicians effectively influences the national policy agenda.

You’ll be part of the policy and campaigns team, responsible for ensuring they maintain its position as a credible, influential stakeholder in the eyes of government, NHS systems and their physician members.  

You’ll join the organisation just as it publishes a new strategy and decides new areas of policy focus. You’ll play a critical role in developing and delivering the public affairs strategy to ensure that the organisation is an effective advocate for its members.

You will lead and manage our public affairs work, designing and delivering influencing strategies and contributing your expertise to policy development and campaign planning for a range of policy issues. You’ll maintain a proactive awareness of issues within the UK health sector, politics and the media and identify opportunities for influencing and policy development. You will have demonstrable experience of developing and delivering successful influencing strategies, using a range of parliamentary influencing tactics to achieve policy change.

You will lead and manage the organisation’s stakeholder engagement. You will ensure we have the right relationships at the right level to achieve our influencing aims and maintain a network of contacts across the sector, in parliament, including political advisers, and the civil service.

You will be as comfortable speaking to parliamentarians and briefing senior leaders for meetings as you are writing consultation responses and policy briefings. You will be able to engage with the policy detail, while appreciating the bigger political picture and the organisation's place in it.

You’ll need a sharp eye for detail and be able to quickly and accurately interpret and communicate complex information. You will provide the president, senior officers and senior staff with public affairs advice, brief them for meetings and play an active role in engaging external stakeholders in NHS systems and the wider sector yourself.

The policy and campaigns team – which is part of the wider communications, policy and research directorate – is a fast paced, collaborative and innovative environment. You will help us shape our objectives and continuously improve how we work.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining a proactive awareness of issues within the UK health sector, politics and the media and identifying opportunities for influencing and policy development
• Working proactively to identify opportunities for parliamentary engagement to grow the profile of the organisation.
• Building and owning relationships with Ministers Parliamentarians, their staff and civil servants, arms-length bodies and other sector stakeholders organisations relevant to their policy and campaigns aims.
• Providing public affairs advice to senior officers and staff, as well as their boards, committees and other activities as appropriate
• Managing a robust horizon scanning and political intelligence monitoring service to the senior officers, senior staff and the organisation as a whole.
• Owning a policy portfolio and developing proactive and reactive policy positions, working in partnership with senior officers, their members, communications colleagues and other staff and organisations. 
• Working flexibly and proactively without close supervision, undertaking a range of work such as writing briefings, letters, policy positions and consultation responses.
• Working with the media team to develop our client's voice with communications approaches that ensure high impact for their influencing and campaigns work.
• Preparing senior officers and staff for stakeholder meetings, supporting them in those meetings and yourself representing the organisation at meetings and events.
• Managing an adviser and developing them to the best of their ability.
• Any other duties commensurate with your post, including deputising for the head of policy and campaigns and executive/deputy directors of communications, policy and research, and managing budgets.

Experience

You will

• a strong background in public affairs, policy development and effective influencing in Westminster and UK government
• significant experience of developing and delivering successful influencing campaigns and having used a range of public affairs tactics, including the media, to achieve policy change
• significant experience of the policy development process and understanding of how to influence national and/or arms-length body policy processes. 
• excellent writing skills and experience of producing briefings, consultation responses and other communications on behalf of an organisation and senior people
• strong experience of giving advice to senior people, getting buy-in for your ideas and influencing opinion internally
• strong experience of successfully managing competing views, priorities and interests to achieve your aims. 
• be able to quickly develop positive and effective working relationships with a diverse range of people, including those at senior level
• experience of successfully managing high profile issues, relationships and events
• acting on your own initiative to develop new work, proposing reasonable and realistic solutions
• understand the importance of and be committed to involving a diverse range of organisations and people in developing and delivering campaigns.

You may have experience of

• health and/or social care policy
• influencing the Senedd
• communications management
• working in a membership organisation and involving members in advocacy
• budget management

Closing date: 05 May 2026

Interviewing date: 18 May 2026

Our client positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity. 

Our client is all about their people – their members, staff, volunteers and leaders. They educate, influence and collaborate to improve health and healthcare for everyone and know they can only do this by being inclusive, encouraging and celebrating diverse perspectives. Welcoming into their community people who represent the 21st-century medical workforce and the diverse population of patients they serve is a priority for us.

We are looking for a Policy Public Affairs Manager for a fixed term contract unitl April 2027. You will build relationships with key stakeholders in government, parliament, the police and across safeguarding agencies, finding ways to engage and motivate policy makers.

The role is based in South West London, Hybrid working and the charity are happy to talk about flexible working such as part-time working or flexible working hours.

The Charity
You would be joining a welcoming team at a passionate social welfare charity dedicated to helping people in very difficult
circumstances, from family support and counselling, to a free helpline and specialist services.

Benefits include
28 days annual leave per annum/pro rata plus bank holidays
Company pension contribution - Employees contribution 3% salary (net 2.4%) / Employers contribution
5% salary
Employee Assistance Programme
Generous family friendly benefits including

The role
Directly influence the development of national and local policy and guidance, including through written communication such as consultation responses or briefings, and through inputs at meetings and events.
Lead and support evidence gathering including APPG Inquiries (This may include direct engagement with people with
lived experience).
Plan and oversee campaigns, events and other activities to inform key policy makers and practitioners, and to drive improvements in guidance and practice including in policing and social care.
Represent the charity at external events and meetings including Advisory Groups.
Proactively create opportunities to engage and influence politicians and policy makers on the charitys briefings, research and campaigns, including at events and meetings.

The candidate
Previous experience of working in a policy or public affairs role.
Experience of successfully influencing change at a local and/or national level.
Experience of building and maintaining relationships with politicians and other policymakers, including quickly building rapport and establishing trust.
Experience in coordinating and leading events and meetings with influential stakeholders.
An understanding of political systems across the UK and how to influence policy within those systems.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you havent been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful, but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.

We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.

Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.

London - Hybrid working with 2 days a week from the London Bridge office

We are looking for an experienced Policy and Public Affairs Manager to lead our policy and campaigning work. 

Whizz Kidz: the facts
Over 75,000 young people aren’t getting the wheelchair or support that fully meets their needs. Without the ability to be independent young wheelchair users are restricted in their ability to socialise and participate in society.

We’re here to change that.
As the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users (9 months - 25 years old), we empower young people by providing the wheelchairs, equipment, support and confidence-building experiences they need, and campaigning for a more inclusive society. 

And we won’t stop until they are mobile, enabled and included.

Our vision
A society in which every young wheelchair user is mobile, enabled and included.

Our values
We are young people focused, ambitious, collaborative and inclusive.

Job Summary
You will have a strong understanding of the UK political system and how to influence it, and will be confident in drafting reports, consultation responses and working with and disseminating data. Ideally, you will have worked within the youth policy or disability policy sector previously and will have strong knowledge of how to influence policy at local and national level (including devolved Governments).

The person
You must be pro-active in your approach to monitoring the external environment and seeking out opportunities for Whizz Kidz to have the most influence. You will be able to work in a small team and understand how we can make the most impact with our limited capacity.

You will be passionate about the rights of young wheelchair users and driving real change within the sector.

Key accountabilities

• Lead on determining how policy analysis, research and data are translated into campaign strategy, focussing on identified themes from Whizz Kidz beneficiary groups, particularly our Youth Board.
• Lead on external evidence gathering, surveys and data analysis including identifying priority campaign objectives, audiences and influencers, and ensuring campaigning effort is focused where it can have its greatest impact.
• Create a strategy and operational plan to widen our reach (including into devolved nations) including a full stakeholder engagement programme.
• Build compelling cases for change to drive national and local policy changes across the UK, and empower political and non-political stakeholders to engage in our campaigns to drive our policy goals.
• Proactively identify and review new research and policies in relation to relevant policy areas to help create a compelling case for change and investment from governments and other stakeholders
• Working alongside the Youth Board, you will ensure the voices of young wheelchair users are at the heart of all of our policy and campaign work. This will often include working with a variety of stakeholders including young people with lived experience, their families, Clinicians, and partners.
• Support the charity’s responses to government consultations and other relevant public consultations, policy developments and announcements
• You will support with ensuring the smooth running of the All-Party-Parliamentary Group on Access to Disability Equipment which Whizz Kidz is a co-partner Secretariat for.
• Ensure beneficiary led advocacy is at the heart of our policy work, including supporting wider team initiatives including the Collective, Family network and Research panel.
• Regularly review impact, ensuring funding requirements and reporting are met.

Please note: This post is subject to an enhanced level DBS Disclosure, which will be sought prior to the confirmation of a job offer.

Person specification

Skills and knowledge

• Acutely political aware.
• Able to think strategically with excellent attention to detail.
• Exceptional communicator
• Strong understanding of the operation of Central Government, Local Government and Devolution.
• Deep understanding of at least one policy area: disability, health, youth services
•  An ability to work under tight deadlines
• A positive ‘can-do’ attitude and the ability to work on own initiative with limited supervision
• Able to work flexibly and creatively to respond to the emerging needs of Whizz Kidz

Experience

• Significant demonstrable experience of policy development for short, medium and long term impact
• Proven track record of interpreting national changes and developments into local and organisational context
• Provision of responsive and robust advice to leadership
• Experience of working within a policy / campaign environment
• Successful development and maintenance of policy frameworks and strategy
• Proven track record of maintaining appropriate networks and communities of practice for policy development best practice
• Degree or degree-equivalent qualification (desirable)
• Experience of working with young people / within the youth sector either in a policy or delivery capacity (desirable)
• Knowledge of how the health and care system works locally, regionally and nationally in all UK nations, and experience of how to influence these (desirable)
• Understanding of the barriers faced by young wheelchair users (desirable)

Personal qualities

• Alignment with our values – young people focused, ambitious, inclusive and collaborative
• Passionate about supporting young wheelchair users and creating societal change
• The ability to enthuse and engage others in the potential benefits of an engaging project
• Goals driven and creative problem solver
• We’re interested in you as much as your experience so we will welcome your application even if you don’t fully meet the ‘person specification’

A few perks
The wellbeing of our colleagues is of paramount importance to our success as an organisation, and we want to ensure that our benefits package provides something of value for everyone, whether it is our generous holiday entitlement, wellbeing days, Healthcare cash plan, long-service awards. We hope you agree!

Annual leave
25 days of annual leave per annum plus Bank Holiday (pro-rata for part time colleagues).

Christmas closure
In addition to annual leave, employees get three days of paid Christmas leave.

Pension
Automatic enrolment for all colleagues with the option to opt out. Contributions of 5% gross salary made by both Whizz Kidz and employees. We will match higher contributions of up to 6% of gross basic salary.

Simply health
Automatic enrolment in a fully paid for cash plan that assists you with everyday health costs. This scheme is also available to your families for an extra charge.

Season ticket loan
An interest free loan of up to £5,000 following the successful completion of the Probationary Period.

To apply, please visit our website via the Apply Button. 

Longmire Recruitment is our dedicated partner for this vacancy

Public Affairs Manager

Location: Home-based with frequent travel to Westminster and occasional travel to the devolved nations

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week), with some evening work and travel required*

* The RSB currently offers a four-day working week (32 hours), which is non-contractual and reviewed annually

Position:Permanent

The Royal Society of Biology is a single unified voice, representing a diverse membership of individuals, learned societies and other organisations across the biosciences. Our members study, work and research in fields that encompass humans, animals, plants, fungi, microorganisms, ecosystems and the molecular mechanisms of life. Our vision is of a world that values biology's contribution to understanding and improving life for all.

This exciting new Public Affairs Manager role will sit within the External Affairs department. It will lead the RSB’s political engagement, and maximise the Society's influence on relevant government policy across the UK.  Working closely with the Policy teams, the Public Affairs Manager will champion the RSB's policy priorities in relation to bioscience research, innovation and education, ensuring that policymakers understand the Society's mission and the needs of its members.  You will also deliver an annual programme of engagement in Westminster on behalf of the wider STEM community, and collaborate with partners on STEM-related activity across the devolved nations.

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate:

• Experience in public affairs and parliamentary engagement, ideally within the science, research, health, education or charity sectors.
• An understanding of the UK research and innovation landscape and education system, and knowledge of relevant stakeholders.
• An understanding of evidence-based policymaking and the ability to draft clear briefings on complex scientific or technical issues.
• Experience of building relationships with parliamentarians, civil servants and sector stakeholders.
•  Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into accessible messaging for political audiences.

Longmire Recruitment is our dedicated recruitment partner for this vacancy.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

The RSB is committed to ensuring equal opportunities in the life sciences, and supports diversity throughout lifetimes at school and higher education, in the workplace and training; we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities and cultures and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to achieve our mission.

#PublicAffairs

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape Public Law Project’s advocacy and influencing work at a critical time. 

Following the launch of our new 2025 – 2030 strategy, the successful candidate will develop and implement a public affairs strategy, working closely with research, casework and communications colleagues to shape policy and stakeholder opinion to advance our strategic objectives. 

This role works at the intersection of some of the most pressing issues facing the UK today – from advocating for fair and humane immigration and asylum systems, to championing universal access to justice, and addressing the risks posed by the misuse of AI by government. You will play an important role in ensuring our evidence, casework, and legal expertise translate into meaningful political impact.

You will have experience using a range of advocacy tools to influence senior stakeholders in Parliament and Government, including in the context of legislative development. You will also be a strategic thinker, comfortable working across multiple policy areas, with excellent political judgement.

This role sits in our research team. As you grow our influencing capacity and practice, you will need to develop excellent working relationships internally and externally. You will have demonstrable experience of collaborative, inclusive working practices. 

You will be committed to PLP’s values, have a keen interest in our work, some understanding of public law, social justice and constitutional reform, and a strong desire to affect change.   

This is a permanent post. PLP supports flexible working practices and whilst this post is conceived as a full-time role, part-time hours will also be considered for the right candidate. 

As part of our commitment to recruiting fairly we use anonymised-selection processes until interview. We also offer additional interview opportunities to the highest-scoring candidates from under-represented communities, and use ‘tie-breaker’ provisions at all stages of our selection process.