Public affairs manager jobs

£37,000 per annum.
Fixed term contract until 30th April 2027.
Happy to talk about flexible working such as part-time working or flexible working hours.
 
ABOUT US
 
Somebody goes missing in the UK every 90 seconds. Missing People exists to ease the heartache experienced by those missing someone, and to help people who are away from home find their way back to safety. Our vision is for every missing child, adult and family left behind to find help, hope and a safe way to reconnect. We are a non-judgemental, highly skilled team of staff and volunteers working for everyone who needs us. We provide free, confidential support, help and advice by phone, email, text and live chat.
 
Missing People’s Policy and Research Team is a small team with a big impact, both within the charity and externally. We aim to create local, regional and national change to improve the response to missing people. We work in an evidence-based way, centring the experiences of those who have been or are affected by missing. As the Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will lead work to influence improvement in the response for missing children, adults and their families at a national and local level.
 
THE IMPACT YOU WILL HAVE
 
Make a national impact on the lives of missing children, adults and their families.
 
Joining our Policy and Research Team, you will help influence local and national policy, ensuring that the voices and experiences of missing people and their families are heard at the highest levels. Your work will directly shape how the UK understands and responds to missing people — and will help protect those at greatest risk of harm. You will learn from and work with people who have been missing, and people who have reported a loved one missing, to shape workplans and to call for change.
 
You will act as Co-Secretariat for the APPG for Missing Children and Adults, and build relationships with key stakeholders in government, parliament, the police and safeguarding agencies, finding ways to engage and motivate policy makers to better understand the issues affecting missing people and their families, and to make positive changes.
 
You will become expert in the issue of missing, including the risks that cause people to go and the harm they experience while away. This will also involve monitoring the policy landscape for opportunities to influence changes in the response to missing people, and provide expert insight and guidance to help shape improvement.
 
You will represent issues facing some of the most marginalised and vulnerable communities. This might include people who face sexual or criminal exploitation, people experiencing mental health problems or people who face discrimination in the response they receive from statutory services when they seek help in relation to the issue of missing, amongst others. This will sometimes include engaging with and challenging professionals in organisations and systems that exist with embedded discrimination.
 
ABOUT YOU
 
You will have:
 
• Right to work in the UK.
• 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 of working with Parliamentarians in All Party Parliamentary Group/s
• Experience of sensitively representing complex issues in communications with professionals or the public, particularly issues which impact on marginalised people;
• An understanding of political systems across the UK and how to influence policy within those systems;
• Knowledge of missing or linked issues, for example mental health, care experience, exploitation, homelessness, or adult social care;
• Understanding of the experiences of marginalised communities and how to ensure that those who are marginalised are included and given the opportunity to influence change;
• Proven ability to communicate complex information in a clear manner to different audiences, including some information that might challenge existing perceptions and perspectives;
• Able to work autonomously, with proven ability to move projects forward when working independently.
 
WHAT WE OFFER
 
Working for Missing People means living our values. It’s a place where people are encouraged to ‘let fly’ so you can ‘make things happen’. We know you’re more than just a job title, and ‘be human’ is an important value here. Missing People is an independent charity that relies on donations.
 
For further details, please see attached job description/person specification and letter to applicants.
 
HOW TO APPLY
 
Please include your CV and a brief supporting statement that demonstrates how you are a good fit for this role. We look forward to receiving your application. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert early if we receive sufficient applications, so please apply promptly.
 
Closing date: 23:59 on 22 March 2026
Interviews: 30/31 March 2026
Start date: 28th April 2026
 
You may have experience of the following: Public Affairs Lead, Policy Manager, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Government Relations Manager, External Affairs Manager, Policy and Campaigns Manager, Political Engagement Manager, Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Public Policy Advisor.
 
REF-227 168

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Public Affairs Manager to take lead responsibility for managing the Woodland Northern Ireland’s (WTNI) relationship with the NI Executive, Government, relevant statutory agencies and key NI , ROI and UK political audiences. To advocate and campaign for changes in legislation, policies, incentives, strategies and plans which reflect the Trust’s priorities in NI and the Island of Ireland . To take responsibility for leading on local development plan consultations and the Trust’s relationship with local councils and the wider eNGO sector.

The Role:

• In the context of our Corporate Strategy, UK policies and position statements and Northern Ireland Plan, to define our Northern Ireland Public Affairs and campaigning goals and to develop and manage a prioritised programme of policy and advocacy work to achieve them.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Northern Ireland and the UK to maximise the Trust’s policy and advocacy impact, enabling colleagues to be effective policy advocates.
• Provide technical and expert support, advice and briefings to the Northern Ireland Director, and other colleagues where relevant, on policy and advocacy matters.
• Lead Public Affairs in the Northern Ireland team, and any consultants as appropriate, providing clarity of direction, inspiring our staff and building capabilities and skills, upholding and actively promoting the values and behaviours of the Trust.
• Oversee, and where relevant lead, the development and management of relationships with NI Government, including Ministers, MLAs, researchers, advisors and civil servants, as well as local government, statutory bodies and other influential organisations across farming, forestry and business in line with the NI public Affairs plan.
• Represent the Trust and our policy and advocacy priorities externally, including negotiating consensus positions within external coalitions including NI Environment Link, with key stakeholders and potential partners.
• Actively monitor, gather intelligence, understand and analyse relevant areas of NI policy and politics, acting on key opportunities. Evaluate future threats and opportunities facing the Trust’s cause in NI, brief colleagues and steer our advocacy messaging accordingly.
• Work closely with other teams and departments, especially Comms & Engagement, UK Campaigns and Conservation and External Affairs, to coordinate and integrate political advocacy and campaigning messages with the Trust’s wider communications and influencing strategies and plans.
• Contribute to ensuring appropriate and efficient use Woodland Trust funds, including setting and managing the NI Public Affairs budget.
• Monitor and report on progress against KPIs, and the team’s contribution to the Trust’s strategic aims.

The Candidate:

• You’ll be experienced in building strong relationships and proven record in delivery in partnership with local councils
• You’ll be experienced influencing legislation and working directly with government depts.
• You’ll have a proven track record in public affairs and policy delivery and experience of working with the environmental/voluntary sector.
• You’ll be experienced with relationship management - a developer of relationships with exceptional networking ability; able to spot opportunities and connections, evaluate them and act on them, both internally and externally.
• You’ll be experienced setting clear goals and priorities and take responsibility for their delivery,
• You’ll be experienced demonstrating tenacity and enthusiasm in achieving them.
• You’ll need a working knowledge of current affairs, and the processes through which legislation and policy are developed and delivered.
• You’ll need to know of current environmental policy, conservation and land management issues.
• You’ll need to know of the NI Executive and Government and the ability to use that knowledge to achieve results.
• You’ll need to know how to communicate effectively through both written and oral, research and analytical skills.
• You’ll need to know current affairs, and the processes through which legislation and policy are developed and delivered.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent in relevant subject or extensive experience
• Full UK driving licence would be an advantage.
• The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic Background Check, as part of our pre-employment screening.

Benefits and Wellbeing:
Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:

• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time)
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

About Us:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity.  We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.  
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply. 
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.

Application Advice:
For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and CVs are redacted until after shortlisting is complete. 
Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply. 

Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.

Apply Now:
If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.

Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams.

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. 

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.