Head of External Affairs

Salary: £84,080

Role duration:
Permanent (37.5 hours per week)

Location:
London, UK (Hybrid – 50% office attendance)

The Policy Directorate brings together the Academy’s policy, analysis and external affairs functions to address major science and health policy issues in the UK and internationally. The Directorate works as a single, coordinated team, focusing resources on priority areas, applying strategic approaches, generating high-quality evidence and insights, and engaging effectively with government, stakeholders and partners to inform decision-making and influence policy.

You will lead and integrate the Academy’s external affairs function—spanning policy influence, parliamentary and government engagement, and sector engagement through FORUM—to strengthen our reach, visibility and impact.

By drawing on the Academy’s Fellowship, networks and reputation, you will ensure coherence across all external-facing policy activities and play a senior leadership role in delivering the Academy’s transformation priorities. You will position the Academy as an authoritative voice on medical science and health, and ensure that our external engagement is strategic, aligns with the wider organisation’s approach to stakeholder management, and strengthens our influence.

• Lead and integrate policy engagement and relationships to deliver a coherent external affairs strategy.
• Ensure alignment between external affairs activities related to policy and wider Academy strategic priorities (through COO).
• Provide strategic advice on public affairs opportunities, political risk, reputational management and external positioning.

• Lead a unified external affairs team, embedding KPI-driven planning, performance management and evaluation.
• Build capability, progression pathways and consistent project management approaches within the team.
• Manage political risk on behalf of the Academy, ensuring effective governance, narrative discipline and coherent external messaging.
• Ensure cross‑Academy planning and alignment between external affairs, policy development, policy analysis, communications and engagement functions.

• Oversee priority influencing programmes, ensuring coherence, sequencing and impactful delivery.
• Provide external‑facing leadership for high‑profile programmes.
• Support cross‑sector initiatives and commissions by providing strategic political insight and external influence.

• Lead the Academy’s UK parliamentary and government engagement strategy, including select committee interactions, parliamentary briefings and relationship building with MPs, Peers and parliamentary staff.
• Position the Academy as an authoritative voice on medical science, policy priorities and the wider health system.
• Build and sustain high‑level influencing relationships across parliament and political parties, national bodies, arm’s‑length agencies, health systems and sector leaders.

• Oversee and evolve the Academy’s FORUM to align with policy priorities and maximise its impact as a neutral, cross‑sector convening space exploring scientific innovation, technological trends and strategic priorities shaping UK healthcare.
• Lead the transformation of FORUM into a leading UK convenor, including membership growth, securing contributions from organisations, and delivering at least six high‑quality convenings per year.
• Contribute to income‑generating initiatives within approved budgets and ensure external‑facing activities support organisational sustainability.

• As a member of the Academy Leadership Team (Heads and Directors), contribute to organisational strategy, cultural development and the transformation programme.
• Provide senior leadership on organisational measurement, impact reporting and securing external funding.

• Oversee budgets associated with external affairs and related programmes.
• Ensure compliance with governance processes, financial…