Salary: £50,379.00 – 60,155.00 per annumContract type: PermanentHours: 35 hours a week (we would consider flexible working options, including lessthan full time but not less than 0.8 FTE. Please note that some out-of-hours working, including travel and overnight stays, may be required for which time off in lieu will be granted.)Location: Central London/hybrid (see below)Closing date: 22 MarchAbout the roleThis is a pivotal role at the heart of our External Affairs function - ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of politics, policy and the media.You will lead high stakes stakeholder engagement and public affairs activity, ensuring our expertise reaches decisionmakers and shapes debates in Westminster and Whitehall. You will work closely with senior colleagues and subject experts to identify opportunities to influence political processes, promote our work to key audiences and build and strengthen relationships with political and sector stakeholders.Alongside this, you will bring deep experience in media relations - developing compelling narratives, spotting story opportunities, and ensuring our analysis lands with national journalists across print, broadcast and online platforms, as well as and responding rapidly to emerging policy developments through the media.What you’ll lead and deliverHigh impact political and stakeholder engagementYou will be at the forefront of our efforts to influence the policy landscape by:Communicating The King’s Fund’s work directly to government, Parliament and senior figures in the health and care sector and beyond.Delivering strategies for parliamentary, political and stakeholder engagement that support our influencing objectives.Lead strategic engagement with political and Parliamentary stakeholders - including maintaining strong relationships with MPs, Peers and senior sector figures - while working collaboratively with colleagues across the External Affairs team who deliver detailed public affairs outputs such as Parliamentary committee briefings, debate notes and legislative analysis.Working closely with colleagues across the External Affairs team, our policy experts and CEO office to identify opportunities in political and policymaking processes to elevate the Fund’s voice and shape legislation.Building and maintaining a powerful contact network across health and care, policymaking, and partner organisations.Supporting the planning and delivery of our presence at political party conferences, senior stakeholder events and high-level roundtables.Sophisticated, strategic media relationsYou’ll bring exceptional news judgement and media handling skills to:Drive high quality proactive and reactive coverage in national broadcast, print and online media and target trade media.Craft sharp, clear and authoritative press releases, statements, comment pieces and articles.Build strong working relationships with journalists to maximise impact and visibility.Lead on media opportunities around fastmoving policy stories and public debates.Strategic communications leadershipYou will:Develop integrated campaigns and engagement plans that influence debate and create change.Closely monitor the political, media and policy landscape to inform organisational priorities.Produce high quality briefs for senior leaders ahead of political meetings, interviews and events.Here at the Fund, we actively encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBT+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge as we recognise that diversity makes us stronger.The Fund is committed to a hybrid working model that meets the organisation’s needs, while giving staff flexibility to choose between office and home working. Staff are expected to work a minimum of 40% from our central London office and are free to work more days from the office if they prefer.About youYou will be a confident, politically astute communicator with:Direct experience working with journalists and managing media relations.Strong experience in stakeholder relations, public affairs, or parliamentary work.Deep understanding of UK media, politics, Parliament and policymaking processes.Exceptional writing skills and the ability to turn complex insights into compelling stories.Strong influencing skills and the ability to build trust at senior levels.A proactive, adaptable mindset - someone who seeks opportunities, not just responds to them.Crucially, you’ll share our values: putting people first, challenging the status quo and being courageous, objective and collaborative.Why this role mattersHealth and care is undergoing significant change - and The King’s Fund is a respected, independent voice shaping what comes next. Your work will help ensure our insight reaches the people who can drive meaningful change.If you want a role where your political awareness, stakeholder influence and media expertise truly make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.What you'll get in returnThe King’s Fund is committed to a hybrid working model that meets the organisation’s needs, while giving staff flexibility to choose between office and home working. In keeping with our current policy, the post-holder will be required to work a minimum of two days per week from our central London office (pro rata, averaged over a month).In addition to a competitive salary, The King’s Fund offers generous holiday entitlements, a £3 daily discount in our café and an on-site gym.How to applyTo apply, please read our supplementary guidance documents below, then download and fill in our application form. Please do not send CVs. If completing the application form presents any challenges, contact us by email ( [emailprotected] ) so we can discuss options.Please note that in order to apply, you must have existing documented proof of your right to live and work in the UK.No agencies please.Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 22 March, 5pm.Late applications will not be considered.We regret that we cannot respond individually to all applicants due to the high number of applications we receive.If you have not been contacted within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted for interview. Please note that we are unable to offer feedback to applicants who are not shortlisted for interview.Recruitment processFirst interviews will be held week commencing 13 April, but the panel can be flexible for a particularly strong candidate. The role is available to start as soon as possible thereafter.Equality of opportunityThe King’s Fund is committed to equal opportunities in all its activities, and appointments will be determined solely on merit. Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community, including those from minority ethnic groups and those with disabilities. #J-18808-Ljbffr