Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager

National Federation of Womens Institutes

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

With a 110-year history, we are proud to be able to say that the WI continues to be the largest and most influential UK-based women’s organisation, with over 170,000 members. Our campaigns push for change on the issues that matter to women and their communities, from equal pay to climate change, mental health, and violence against women. The WI has brought about real change, and this record of action shows that we are as relevant today as we were in 1915. The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (the NFWI) is responsible for running the organisation and provides support and advice to members at both regional and local levels.

About the role

In this varied and exciting position, you will manage high-profile WI campaigns and play a key role in achieving change on key issues affecting women and their communities. The Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager provides essential management of the Public Affairs team and its activities- including campaigning, lobbying, research, and policy work- whilst working closely with the Director of Campaigns and Membership to maintain a strategic overview of the department’s work.

You will be responsible for devising appropriate lobbying strategies to achieve our key objectives, responding to governmental policy and consultation papers, and supporting the NFWI’s media work in relation to all campaigning and Public Affairs activity. This role also plays a vital part in managing departmental projects, from the development and implementation of campaign project plans to identifying funding opportunities and administering budgets.

Responsibilities

Campaigning and Lobbying:

• Take a strategic overview of the department’s campaigning and policy work, and guide the committee and staff on appropriate responses to policy and campaign developments.
• Develop, monitor and evaluate campaign plans, identifying lobbying and media priorities.
• Devise appropriate lobbying and campaigning actions for members and the wider WI movement.
• Support members and supporters at all levels within the organisation in campaigning and lobbying.
• Together with the Director of Campaigns and Membership, and where appropriate, represent the NFWI at meetings, conferences and on working groups (liaising with civil servants, government departments and external organisations).
• Support the Public Affairs team to organise and promote internal and external events, conferences and courses.
• Identify and propose external advisers, campaign partners and joint projects.

Research and Policy:

• Provide a high-quality research and information function.
• Respond to relevant consultation papers from the Government and other organisations in line with NFWI policy.
• Monitor relevant policies and issues of interest to the NFWI, and those that impact women and their communities.
• Research potential resolutions, prepare supporting materials and produce follow-up action papers for mandated resolutions.
• Monitor parliamentary affairs and the work of other organisations.

Media Relations:

• Act as key liaison between the Public Affairs team and the PR Consultant/ relevant staff in the Membership and Engagement team regarding media work.
• Where appropriate, support with drafting key messaging, press releases and briefing spokespeople to support media work.
• Provide support and advice to the NFWI Board of Trustees when dealing with the media on Public Affairs matters in cooperation with the Director of Campaigns and Membership, the Head of Membership and Engagement and the PR Consultant.

Campaign Communications:

• Write and distribute briefing and promotional material to a range of audiences, internal and external.
• Prepare speeches and briefings to represent the work of the NFWI.
• Work with the Digital Services team to develop, monitor and update NFWI websites.
• Oversee the preparation of copy for internal and external publications, including WI Life magazine, the NFWI website, My WI and email newsletters.
• Oversee the Public Affairs department’s social media output.
• Liaise with external organisations and other partners regarding joint projects.
• Answer queries from and provide relevant information to members and supporters, external organisations, the media and the general public.
• Build and maintain databases of Public Affairs representatives and other active members/representatives as appropriate.
• Liaise with other staff and Committee members on matters of relevance to Public Affairs.
• Together with the Director of Campaigns and Membership, contribute to consultations concerning the suitability of sponsors and commercial partners in view of mandates and policies.

Projects:

• Lead on and assist with Public Affairs projects and activities.
• Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate project plans, identifying key project timings, opportunities to seek funding and media priorities.
• Prepare and monitor budget plans in line with project funding and administer budgets for relevant projects

Supporting the Public Affairs Committee:

• Brief the Committee Chair and other members as appropriate.
• Coordinate and support relevant Public Affairs ad hoc Working Groups.
• Take overall responsibility for preparing, monitoring and administering the Public Affairs Committee budget in consultation with the Director of Campaigns and Membership and the Committee Chair.

Line Management and Development of the Public Affairs Team:

• Be a positive role model for the team by championing positive culture, encouraging constructive interactions and modelling respectful behaviour.
• Promote an inclusive and collaborative environment that values diverse opinions and provides equal opportunities.
• Build positive team and workplace relationships and commit to addressing any challenges and conflicts. This includes fostering good working relationships with staff, the Public Affairs Committee and the Board of Trustees.
• Ensure any project work within the team will benefit the NFWI’s strategic objectives.
• Support and oversee the team’s performance and help them navigate any challenges. This includes carrying out annual appraisals for the team, agreeing objectives in line with departmental plans and identifying any training needs to support performance.
• Provide the team with opportunities for professional development through training or new experiences within their role, the team or across the organisation.
• Carry out other management responsibilities as appropriate, such as managing sick absence, unsatisfactory performance and conduct issues.

Organisational Strategy & Collaboration:

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and monitoring of strategic work plans for both the Public Affairs department and the wider organisation. Support the design and delivery of Public Affairs campaigns, projects, and events. Support colleagues in the department and deputise for the Director of Campaigns and Membership as required.
• Collaborate with internal NFWI committees and departments, offering guidance on potential conflicts of interest and identifying opportunities for cross-organisational working.

Cultural diversity, Equal Opportunities and Environmental Responsibility:

• Uphold a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring that we reflect these values both internally and towards external organisations.
• Promote environmental responsibility at work and towards external organisations.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Experience:

• Campaigning:
  • Experience in identifying salient campaign issues.
  • Experience of taking a campaign from start to
  • finish (planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating).
• Political lobbying:
  • Experience of working with and providing briefings for politicians across the political spectrum, to raise the profile of campaign issues and build cross-party coalitions.
  • Experience in developing influencing strategies in a political context.
• Research:
  • Experience in desk and primary research, including the ability to collate large amounts of data, pull out information relevant to campaign key messaging, and link to reliable sources.
• Line Management:
  • Experience in line managing a team.
  • Experience in monitoring performance and supporting individual and team development.
• Social Media:
  • Experience in overseeing social media channels, providing monitoring and response support.
  • Experience in preparing and posting content.
• Written Communication:
  • Experience in producing engaging copy to inspire and motivate supporters to take action.
  • Experience in producing reports, briefings, notes on policy issues, responses to consultations, speeches, and letters to a range of recipients.
• Working in Partnership:
  • Experience of working in partnership with both internal teams and external organisations, including networking and partnership building.
• Working with Volunteers:
  • Experience of working with volunteers and supporting them to get involved in campaigns and similar initiatives.
• Administration:
  • Experience in preparing agendas and minutes of meetings, writing letters, memorandums, filing and record keeping.
  • Interest in working for the WI

Knowledge:

• A good understanding of current affairs and issues across the policy spectrum.
• Knowledge and understanding of the workings of government, parliament and points of influence.
• Understanding of the voluntary sector and the process of forming and maintaining partnerships within it.
• Knowledge and understanding of how social media platforms are used to increase engagement across internal and external audiences.
• Knowledge and understanding of how to use digital tools for campaigning activity.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Ability to convey complex information in an accessible and easily comprehensible way.
• Confident working and communicating with people at all levels, including volunteers, with professionalism, tact and integrity.
• Ability to bring together potentially differing viewpoints into one common goal. Strong initiative with the ability to find effective solutions to resolve problems.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and create reports.
• Ability to keep up to date with relevant political and social developments.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to meet deadlines and plan and manage numerous competing priorities.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work to a high standard and deliver accurate information.
• Ability to bring fresh and distinct angles to campaigns, including ways to engage members in campaign activities.
• A natural networker, internally and externally.
• Ability to remain calm, demonstrating patience and resilience under pressure.

Required Qualifications

• Educated to Degree level, and equivalent experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• A fully auto-enrolled contributory Personal Pension scheme with maximum employer contributions set at 8%
• A holiday entitlement of 196 hours (28 days) per annum, rising to 210 hours (30 days) after 5 years’ service. Bank holidays are in addition to this
• Benenden Health scheme (non-contributory) Company enhanced maternity, adoption and partner/paternity pay, subject to qualification
• Family leave policies including parental leave, flexible working, compassionate leave, carer's leave and dependant’s leave
• Wellbeing policies, including mental health and wellbeing and menopause
• A commitment to training and development
• All staff will undertake a six-month probationary period, which can be extended up to 12 months. 

Conditions of employment

• You must have the right to work in the UK

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• For further information about this Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager role, please download the recruitment pack, which includes the job description and person specification:
  • Recruitment Pack Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager
  • NFWI Recruitment Privacy Notice
  • Equal Opportunities Form
• To apply, please submit your current CV with a covering letter clearly explaining why you would be suitable for the role to the HR department at [email protected]
• Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need any adjustments or support with the application process, please contact us, as we may be able to help.
• Your completed application should be returned via email by 13th May 2026. Applications after the closing date will not be considered.
• Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback on applications if you are not shortlisted for an interview; therefore, if you have not heard from us by 10th June 2026, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

Interviews

• First- and second-round interview dates W/c 18th May 2026, with the first round conducted virtually and the second in person at our London office.

Policies

The WI is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and values diversity. Reg. Charity No. 803793. No other media or agencies, please. We believe that the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion are central to our work as an effective employer. They are inherent in our values. We pride ourselves on building positive relationships. We strive to ensure that anyone who engages with us finds it easy to do so and feels they are supported and treated fairly, with dignity and respect.

The NFWI recognises that groups in society experience discrimination as a result of a protected characteristic. We oppose such discrimination. When recruiting, the NFWI does not discriminate against any applicants. All vacancies will be filled by successful applicants assessed on their ability to do the job. We guarantee an interview to any candidate with a disability who meets the essential criteria for the post.

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