Head of External Affairs

Purpose of the post

This is a leading role in the Communications and External Affairs Team at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], reporting to the Director of Communications and External Affairs and working with senior colleagues across the institute and with high-level external stakeholders. It is a unique opportunity for someone looking to use their significant skills and experience in leading and shaping our external affairs activities. The successful candidate will develop a clear vision and a proactive approach to engaging a wide range of key stakeholders in the trustworthy and secure use of health data to improve lives, including government, the public, industry partners, healthcare, third sector and academic institutions. You will also play a leadership role within the Communications team, including managing a small but talented research communications team. You will help deliver our communications strategy to position [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] as a leading international institute for health data research that has the trust and confidence of patients, public, practitioners and key stakeholders. The successful candidate will share our values, have strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, and be comfortable with working at pace in a complex organisation.

Main responsibilities

• Build and maintain high-level external relationships with key policy-making stakeholders across government, parliament, devolved assemblies, research funders, industry and charities to help [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] further its mission and strategic goals.
• Ensure we leverage all opportunities to influence policy and support external advocacy
• Advise and support the Director, Chief Scientist and senior staff on communications and external affairs issues, producing briefings and materials as appropriate
• Coordinate [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]’s engagement in selected national, regional, and international external policy, working with internal subject-matter experts, senior leaders across [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] and partners. Lead the communications for this work to gain maximum impact.
• Build [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]’s presence as a thought leader in health data science by working with researchers and senior leaders and the Communications team to create high-quality content for policy and public audiences including policy briefings, explainers, comment pieces and blogs.
• Monitor the policy and political landscape for health data research across the four nations of the UK and develop briefings for [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] on external policy initiatives.
• Support and develop [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] spokespeople, and advise and provide briefings to make the most of opportunities in the media, large external conferences and other significant events
• Lead the delivery of communications and events for key stakeholders and maintain up-to-date contacts and lists in our CRM
• Work with colleagues in the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement team to ensure our external affairs activities benefit from being shaped by input from patients and the public
• Take a leadership role within the Communications and External Affairs team, supporting the Director in ensuring we deliver our strategic priorities effectively and efficiently, and ensure [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]’s communications are insight-led, user-oriented and accessible to the public and patients
• Oversee and develop the research communication team’s work in demonstrating the tangible difference health data science is making to people’s lives, using media relations, digital communications, social media, email and other communications channels
• Line manage the Research Communications Manager, and manage agencies and freelance writers and designers when required
• Deputise for the Director of Communications and External Affairs

Continuous improvement

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is dedicated to continuous improvement through our quality management system and has achieved ISO 9001 accreditation. The post-holder will review, analyse, identify and implement opportunities for quality improvement within their role and as part of the wider team through our strategy development and internal audit processes.

Experience

• Essential: Very significant experience in public policy development and external relations, possessing high-level influencing, political and networking skills. Track record of successfully working with key decision makers and achieving strategic goals. Strategic thinker, able to prioritise workloads and manage conflicting deadlines. Excellent understanding of the political environment in the four nations. Excellent judgement and commitment to political neutrality. Media relations experience. Ability to understand health research. Experienced line manager. Experience of working in a complex organisation. A strong track record in developing and overseeing strategic initiatives and programmes.
• Desirable: Good understanding of the policy landscape with respect to trustworthy and secure use of health data. Extensive existing network within relevant professional areas. Experience of producing high-quality content for online and offline channels. Experience of digital communications platforms, including CMS and CRM systems. Experience of commissioning suppliers, managing procurement processes and managing budgets.

Skills

• Essential: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills. Ability to confidently advise senior leaders and stakeholders. Excellent relationship building and networking skills. Ability to work with complex scientific content. Excellent organisational skills. Ability to work in a highly collaborative and flexible way. Ability to confidently manage change and support a team. Ability to anticipate problems and develop strategic solutions. Ability to use discretion and judgement in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.

Deadline: 3 November 2023 – 5:00PM. Salary: Up to £65,000. Type of contract: Full-time, permanent. Location: Flexible. Primary base could be anywhere in the UK, but must be willing and able to travel to London and elsewhere (mainly UK) in connection with the role.