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About us
We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. We’re the place to turn to for anything and everything to do with breast cancer. However you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here.
The brightest minds in breast cancer research are here. Making life-saving research happen in labs across the UK and Ireland. Support services, trustworthy breast cancer information and specialist nurses are here. Ready to support you whenever you need it. Dedicated campaigners are here. Fighting for the best possible treatment, services and care for anyone affected by breast cancer.
About the role
We’re looking for a motivated and committed public affairs manager to join the policy, evidence and influencing team. In this role, you’ll help deliver change for people affected by breast cancer by leading our public affairs work in the UK Parliament and across England.
You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering a public affairs strategy to raise awareness of the critical issues for people affected by breast cancer. You’ll work with colleagues across the team and organisation to design influencing activities and events that deliver change. You’ll build strong relationships with parliamentarians and other public affairs stakeholders.
This role manages a public affairs officer. You’ll work closely with them to provide the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer.
About you
With experience of working in relevant public affairs roles to deliver significant change, you’ll be an excellent communicator, well-organised and able to work under pressure to tight deadlines. You’ll be confident working with a wide range of people and have experience of supervising or managing people. You’ll also have an excellent understanding of the policy and influencing landscape that Breast Cancer Now works in.
Job description and benefits
Please download the job description and our attractive benefits package.
Primary location of role and hybrid working
This role is primarily based in our London office. Our hybrid working model allows you to work up to 3 days per week at home.
When applying
We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV and a supporting statement online. Please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who we support.
Closing date Monday 16 March 2026 9am
Interview date week commencing 23 March 2026
We reserve the right to close this advert early. Therefore, to avoid disappointment please submit your application as soon as possible, if you’re interested in this opportunity.
The British Dyslexia Association is a national charity representing the voice of people with dyslexia. We work to influence government, shift public understanding and drive change in education, employment, health and wider society.
We’re looking for a part‑time Public Affairs & Policy Manager to lead our policy and parliamentary engagement work. This is a varied and rewarding role where you’ll help shape our influencing strategy, strengthen our relationships across Westminster and Whitehall, and ensure lived experience sits at the heart of our policy positions.
Although the role is broad and varied, you won’t be expected to manage everything all at the same time. A clear set of priorities will be agreed with the senior leadership team.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead our parliamentary engagement strategy and political influencing.
- Build relationships with MPs, Peers, Ministers, advisers and key civil servants.
- Monitor parliamentary activity, policy developments and emerging issues.
- Prepare policy briefings, consultation responses and evidence‑based reports.
- Support our presence at political events, conferences and roundtables.
- Represent the BDA in meetings and sector forums.
- Work with colleagues, researchers and people with lived experience to shape strong, accessible policy positions.
What we’re looking for:
- Experience in public affairs, parliamentary engagement or policy influencing.
- Good understanding of UK Parliamentary and government processes.
- Proven ability to shape policy or achieve change within public bodies.
- Excellent communication skills and confidence building relationships at senior levels.
- Strong organisation, political awareness and a collaborative approach.
- Passion for improving outcomes for dyslexic people.
Flexible & family‑friendly working
We are a family‑friendly employer and welcome different working patterns, including the option to spread hours across the week. We encourage candidates to tell us what works for them.
Why join us?
This is your chance to make a real difference by 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.
Please view the job description for full details about the role, responsibilities, and person specification before applying.
Closing date: 23 March 2026. 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.
To change society by removing barriers so that everyone with dyslexia can reach their full potential in education, in employment and in life.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the role
The Policy and Public Affairs Manager plays a pivotal role in protecting and championing civil society. In this role you will harness the collective voice of our members and use evidence-led advocacy to influence policy, helping create the best possible environment for organisations to deliver their missions.
This role will blend strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, shaping and executing impactful, meaningful change.
Key responsibilities
- Leading on projects and influencing policy change.
- Creative public affairs activity while building trusted relationships with decision makers.
- Developing a public affairs plan to achieve on strategic aims.
- Line Management of a Policy and Public Affairs Officer.
This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive, strategic thinker who thrives on making a tangible difference. You’ll shape NCVO’s influence, deliver creative advocacy campaigns, and strengthen the sector by ensuring civil society organisations can thrive.
Your background
- Significant experience in policy, public affairs or influencing roles, ideally within the voluntary, public or membership sector.
- A strong track record of leading projects that have successfully influenced policy or built political support.
- Experience developing and delivering strategic public affairs plans aligned to organisational objectives.
- Proven ability to translate evidence and insight into compelling policy positions and advocacy campaigns.
- Strong relationship-building skills, with experience engaging decision-makers and senior stakeholders.
Joining NCVO as Policy and Public Affairs Manager offers a unique opportunity to influence the environment in which civil society operates. You’ll work at the heart of a respected, mission-driven organisation, shaping policy conversations, amplifying the collective voice of our members and driving meaningful change.
About the Team
The Policy, Public Affairs and Research team works to ensure voluntary organisations have the wider conditions they need to achieve their missions. PPA analyses the political landscape, develops and communicates credible policy solutions to support the sector, and builds strong relationships across Westminster and Whitehall.
We may close applications early if we receive a high volume of interest, so apply as soon as you can.
Why join us
With members at the heart of everything we do, we champion the charities and volunteers who make a daily difference to our communities across England. Join us and help us make communities stronger and support us making a bigger difference!
Some of NCVO’s great benefits include:
- 25 days’ annual leave (pro-rata for part-time staff), increasing based on years of service
- five days’ volunteering leave (pro rata for part-time staff)
- enhanced pay for maternity/adoption leave
- generous employer pension contribution of up to 8.5% of salary.
Find out more about the benefits of working at NCVO.