Policy and Public Affairs Lead

Were the UKs specialist blood cancer charity and our vision is clear: were 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.

Were looking for an experienced and influential Policy and Public Affairs Lead to drive Blood Cancer UKs UK-wide policy and influencing this pivotal role you will lead and oversee a pipeline of policy and influencing content and ambitious influencing strategies that put the experiences of people affected by blood cancer at the heart of decision-making. Working across Westminster and the devolved nations you will build and maintain strong relationships with parliamentarians government officials and key stakeholders ensuring our voice is heard where it matters most and translating evidence and insight into meaningful policy change.

You will lead support and develop a small team (two Policy and Public Affairs Officers: one focused on Scotland and Northern Ireland; the other focused on England and Wales). You will work closely with colleagues across the organisation to deliver integrated insight-led influencing campaigns that shape national policy and improve outcomes for people with blood cancer. This is a highly collaborative and externally facing role requiring confident engagement with senior stakeholders clear and persuasive communication and a strong commitment to involving people with lived experience in all aspects of our work.

You will play a central role in ensuring Blood Cancer UK is a trusted and influential voice in health policy across the UK.

We are committed to actively promoting equality diversity and 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 travel for this role includes attendance at the London office approximately 24 days per month plus regular attendance at external meetings

Expected interview dates:

First round (online): w/c 6th July

Second round (in person): w/c 13th July

• Lead development and implementation of effective policy public affairs and influencing campaigns for people with blood cancer.
• Line manage two Policy and Public Affairs Officers (one focused on Scotland and Northern Ireland; the other focused on England and Wales).
• Manage Blood Cancer UKs relationships with key stakeholders in Parliament Government across the NHS health and research policy.
• Represent Blood Cancer UK on external coalitions and act as a spokesperson on policy issues.
• Lead and oversee the development of influencing strategies and campaigns focused on the specific needs of people living with blood cancer ensuring they are solutions-focused and evidence-based.
• Keep internal stakeholders including the leadership team regularly updated on relevant policy parliamentary and government events affecting blood cancer and advise on strategic responses.
• Work in close collaboration with colleagues in the Engagement Directorate (particularly Comms and Digital Marketing) to build integrated influencing strategies.
• Ensure people with lived experience are included in policy and campaign development and support Policy and Influencing colleagues to engage effectively with all people with lived experience who support our work.
• Oversee events visits meetings and briefings to communicate messages and influence external stakeholders.
• Oversee and update supporters on policy and influencing activities and involve them where appropriate.
• Work with the Associate Director for Policy and Influencing and the Health Intelligence Lead to manage the policy and influencing budget and operational planning.

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of health policy and the NHS
• Knowledge of parliamentary procedures politics including Westminster and Whitehall. Knowledge of Holyrood the Senedd and the Northern Ireland Assembly would be beneficial.
• Demonstrating commitment to equal opportunities diversity and organisational values.

Skills

• Producing clear and persuasive written material and broader content for diverse audiences including parliamentarians government officials internal colleagues and our supporters
• Ability to commission or develop insight which can be used in policy and influencing
• Developing content to engage people affected by blood cancer through various channels including social media website and email
• Exhibiting excellent interpersonal and communication skills and able to work effectively with Parliamentarians government officials and wider stakeholders.
• Excellent collaboration skills and able to work with different teams across an organisation to develop captivating content and integrated influencing strategies
• Ability to independently lead and manage projects and support policy & influencing colleagues to project manage priorities

Experience

• Developing policy content and public affairs…