Jobs in Belfast

The opportunity

Are you a policy and public affairs expert?

Could you lead our work covering all policy and political influencing for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland?

As our Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager, for our devolved nations, you’ll oversee three separate small teams, which are responsible for all interactions with politicians, political parties, and civil servants, particularly with respect to health (including public health) and scientific research policy, in each of our devolved nations.

You’ll lead our policy and public affairs and government relations programme in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, taking ownership of a range of policy issues and communicating them to a broad audience, ensuring that senior stakeholders are apprised of political and legislative trends that impact our priorities.

You’ll define and oversee the development and delivery of a proactive government relations and legislative strategy on key policy issues affecting the prevention, treatment and care, and research relating to heart and circulatory diseases. Maintaining dialogue with patient, clinical, political, and other stakeholders, you’ll work closely with these groups to develop high-level relationships that will enhance the BHF’s reputation amongst key decision makers.

Based at any of our devolved nations offices (Belfast, Cardiff or Edinburgh) you’ll form part of the senior management team of the BHF's Medical team, interacting regularly with the Head of Nations, the Medical Director and other Directors at the BHF's London offices.

Working arrangements

This is a blended role, where your work will be dual located between your home and any of our devolved nation offices in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

The use of our office spaces is driven in part by your role and the activities you need to do. This may vary from time to time, so you must be prepared to work in a flexible way to unlock your best work for our cause. Most of our colleagues on blended contracts can expect to spend some time in their office each week, on average.

Excited by the role, but not sure you tick every box? You may need a little more help balancing your work and home life, so please feel free to explore the flexibility you may need with us at the application or interview stage.

About you

With a deep understanding of the policy-making and political process in the UK with, ideally, excellent knowledge of the political systems in at least one of the devolved administrations, you’ll have some knowledge of the UK’s life sciences research environment, health policy, and the European and international landscape.

You’ll have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, able to present with credibility and gravitas to external audiences, and will be a proven leader, whilst also being a team player. You’ll have excellent writing skills, able to provide concise written and verbal briefings on complex issues, often at short notice, and will be able to work calmly, quickly and accurately under pressure of tight deadlines.

You’ll have an extensive understanding of parliamentary procedures in the Devolved Nations and will have a proven track record of building and nurturing excellent relationships and exerting influence over external stakeholders’ agendas.

With experience of having run or managed successful policy and/or public affairs work at a senior level, ensuring expectations, responsibilities and the purpose and vision for the team are clear and delivered, you’ll have experience of leading internal and/or external stakeholder relations in a high profile and/or complex organisation as well as developing and implementing policy and/or public affairs strategies and plans.

About us

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. By funding research across six decades, we’ve helped keep millions of hearts beating and millions of families together. We’re investing in ground-breaking research that will get us closer than ever to a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases.

We value and respect every individual’s unique contribution, celebrate diversity, and make inclusion part of what we do every day.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, Igniting Change, along with our internal EDI group, Kaleidoscope, and a growing number of employee network groups (our Affinity Groups), help us create an environment where all our colleagues and volunteers can succeed.

What can we offer you?

Our Career Academy provides you with support, inspiration, and opportunities to help you unlock your full potential.

Our generous staff benefits include:

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Private medical insurance

• Dental health cover

• Contribution towards gym membership

• Pension with employer contribution up to 10%

• Life assurance

We have been recognised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) for our Live Well. Work Well. Programme. Heart health is central to our mission, and that starts with you. We provide a programme of activities, opportunities, and guidance to inspire and support you to live a healthy and happy life, at home and at work.