Public Affairs Officer

Overview

Salary: £35,560

Role duration: Permanent (37.5 hours per week)

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

Summary Purpose - what you will be achieving:

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 support the delivery of the Academy’s external affairs function by contributing to high-quality policy influencing, parliamentary engagement, and stakeholder relationships that strengthen the Academy’s reach, visibility and impact.

Working closely with the Head of External Affairs and colleagues across the Policy Directorate, you will help ensure that the Academy is positioned as an authoritative, evidence-led voice on medical science and health with decision makers, and that its policy work is effectively translated into political and policy impact.

About the Role

Supporting delivery of external affairs strategy

• Contribute to the delivery of a coherent external affairs approach aligned to Academy priorities, supporting the integration of policy, communications and stakeholder engagement activity.
• Working with the Head of External Affairs, support the identification of opportunities to inform policy and political debate in line with the Academy’s strategic objectives.
• Assist in ensuring consistency of messaging and alignment across external-facing activity, working closely with colleagues in the Communications Directorate.

Political, parliamentary and stakeholder engagement

• Support the development and maintenance of relationships with:
• Parliamentarians (MPs, Peers and staff)
• Civil servants and government departments
• Arm’s-length bodies and health system stakeholders
• Manage day-to-day contact with stakeholders where appropriate, ensuring accurate records and follow-up.
• Support delivery of parliamentary engagement activity, including:
• Preparing briefings, select committee material and supporting evidence
• Helping to organise stakeholder meetings, roundtables and events
• Identify, under guidance, opportunities to enhance the Academy’s visibility with key decision-makers.

Policy influencing and public affairs delivery

• Support the development and delivery of targeted influencing plans linked to priority policy programmes.
• Contribute to consultation responses, policy positioning, and influencing activities.
• Work with policy and analysis colleagues to translate complex scientific and policy evidence into clear, accessible public affairs messages and supporting materials.
• Contribute to discrete work packages (e.g. stakeholder mapping, briefing development, or engagement plans) to support influencing objectives.

Political monitoring and intelligence

• Monitor UK political and policy developments across Westminster, Whitehall and the wider health and research landscape.
• Provide timely summaries and briefings to colleagues on relevant developments, highlighting potential implications, risks and opportunities.
• Maintain systems for tracking stakeholder engagement, political intelligence and external activity.

Communications and briefing

• Draft high-quality public affairs materials, including:
• Parliamentary briefings
• Lines to take and background notes
• Stakeholder correspondence
• Summaries of political developments
• Support senior leadership and Fellows by preparing materials to enable effective engagement with policymakers and stakeholders.

Events and convening

• Support the planning and delivery of external engagement activities, including:
• Parliamentary events
• Roundtables and policy discussions
• Cross-sector convenings (including FORUM where appropriate)
• Contribute to ensuring events are well-targeted and aligned with policy influencing objectives.

Cross-Academy working

• Work collaboratively across the Policy Directorate and with Communications, Engagement and Fellowship teams to support a joined-up approach to external engagement and stakeholder management.
• Contribute to a “One Academy” approach, supporting shared priorities and coordinated external activity.

Closing date for completed applications is Monday 7 September 2026 at 12:00pm

Interviews will likely be held w/c 14 September 2026.

If you have any queries about this vacancy, please contact Emma Greenwood at [email protected].

• Experience in public affairs, policy or a related role, ideally within:
• Health, life sciences, research or the charity sector
• Developing understanding of:
• UK political and parliamentary processes
• Health and research policy landscape
• Experience supporting stakeholder engagement and relationship management
• Ability to work with colleagues to translate complex evidence into clear, accessible policy messages
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting briefings and summaries
• Good organisational, problem-solving and prioritisation skills
• Proactive and collaborative, with the ability to manage own workload and contribute to team delivery

We provide our staff with a comprehensive benefits package outlined as follows:

Competitive rewards

• Generous pension scheme with flexible contributions – we contribute between 8% - 13% of your gross salary (with employee contributions of 3% - 8%).
• Life assurance at three times your salary.

Work-life Balance

• Hybrid and agile working. 50% office attendance.
• 26 days annual leave, plus Christmas closure days and bank holidays.
• Buying and selling leave.
• Family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to a qualifying period).

Wellbeing and Development

• Complimentary subscriptions to Headspace and Classpass to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Support through tailored learning and development.

Additional Benefits

• A range of enhanced benefits become available once you’ve completed your probation period.