Policy Officer

British Society for Heart Failure

Hours
21 hours per week

About the Organisation

British Society for Heart Failure (BSH) is the UK's leading charity and membership organisation dedicated to improving care for people living with heart failure. We bring together healthcare professionals, researchers and decision-makers to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term outcomes through education, awareness, research and policy influence. This is an exciting time to join BSH as we deliver our ambitious new strategy and continue to drive forward our national 25in25 campaign to reduce mortality from heart failure and improve outcomes for patients across the UK.

About the role

This is a high-profile opportunity to shape and deliver BSH's policy agenda and strengthen its influence across the healthcare sector. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will work with clinical leaders, parliamentarians, NHS stakeholders and partner organisations to ensure BSH remains a credible and influential voice on heart failure policy. You will help develop evidence-based policy positions, influence decision-makers and support improvements in heart failure prevention, diagnosis and care across the UK.

Policy Officer plays a critical and high-profile role in shaping and delivering the British Society for Heart Failure’s (BSH) policy agenda. The postholder will lead the delivery and review of the BSH Policy Framework and action plan, ensuring the BSH is a visible, credible and influential voice in national discussions and decision-making on heart failure.

The role will focus on influencing policy, practice and system priorities to improve outcomes for people living with heart failure across the UK. Working closely with clinical leaders, MP's, local, regional & national stakeholders and partner organisations, the Policy Officer will identify key opportunities for impact, develop evidence-informed policy positions, and actively contribute to national discourse, including a four nations approach.

This role requires an individual who can operate effectively with Parliamentarians and other senior stakeholders, translate clinical priorities into system-level policy messages, and position BSH as a leading authority in heart failure policy and strategy.

Responsibilities

Policy Leadership and Delivery:

• Lead the implementation and ongoing development of the BSH Policy Framework and associated action plan.
• Identify, prioritise and drive forward key policy areas impacting heart failure care, including (but not limited to):
  • Upstream Focus: Early diagnosis and detection
  • Digital and Data: acceleration of digital innovation in practice
  • Model HF MDT Service
  • Equitable access: across HF Type, Demographics and geography
  • Research into Routine: supporting research development and implementation
• Develop clear, evidence-based policy positions, briefings and outputs
• Ensure alignment with BSH strategic priorities and clinical leadership

Influencing and National Engagement:

• Act as a key representative for BSH in national policy discussions and stakeholder forums
• Build and maintain relationships with national decision-makers, including:
  • Government MPs and local/regional policymakers
  • NHS and system leaders
  • Integrated Care System (ICS) stakeholders
  • National clinical and policy networks
• Contribute to consultations, inquiries, and national strategy development processes
• Position BSH as a trusted and authoritative voice in heart failure policy

Partnership and Collaboration:

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with partner organisations, including:
  • National charities (British Heart Foundation)
  • Professional societies and royal colleges
  • Specialist heart failure and allied organisations
  • Relevant Industry partners
• Identify opportunities for joint policy development, campaigns and advocacy
• Facilitate alignment of messaging across the sector to strengthen collective influence

Policy Development and Outputs:

• Produce high-quality policy outputs, including:
  • Policy papers and reports
  • Heart Failure and related health economic data reports
  • Consultation responses
  • Position statements
  • Content for BSH communication channels and web pages
  • Speeches and parliamentary questions
  • Briefings for stakeholders and decision-makers
• Translate complex clinical and service issues into clear, compelling policy narratives
• Support BSH Trustees, committee members and staff team with key messaging and briefing materials

Insight, Intelligence and Impact:

• Monitor and analyse the national policy and healthcare landscape relevant to heart failure
• Identify emerging opportunities, risks and priorities for BSH engagement
• Track and evaluate the impact of BSH policy activity
• Use data, evidence and stakeholder insight to inform policy development

Cross-Organisational Support:

• Work closely with BSH committees to identify policy priorities and align messaging
• Support wider organisational activity, including education, events and partnerships
• Contribute to communications and campaigns to amplify policy messages

General and Organisational Support:

• Contribute to the wider work of the organisation as part of a small, collaborative team
• Support organisational communications and events as required
• Support the effective use and maintenance of the BSH membership systems, events portals and communication platforms as required
• Assist with membership and partner administration and engagement
• Support the delivery of the BSH Strategy and aims
• Maintain accurate records, activity tracking and reporting
• Ensure compliance with organisational processes and governance
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across all educational activity
• Undertake any other reasonable duties to support the delivery of BSH objectives

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Knowledge & Experience Essential:

• Experience working in a policy, public affairs, healthcare strategy or influencing role
• Demonstrable experience of shaping or contributing to policy development and influencing national or system-level agendas
• Strong understanding of the UK healthcare landscape, including NHS structures and decision-making processes
• Experience engaging and building relationships with senior stakeholders
• Experience producing high-quality written outputs (briefings, reports, consultation responses)
• Ability to analyse complex information and translate it into clear, actionable messages
• Experience managing multiple priorities and delivering work independently

Desirable:

• Experience working in a health charity, membership organisation or professional body
• Knowledge of cardiovascular disease, heart failure or long-term conditions
• Experience working with clinicians or clinical networks
• Experience contributing to national consultations or policy campaigns
• Understanding of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and population health approaches
• Experience working in partnership with multiple organisations or sectors

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to identify priorities and opportunities for influence
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences
• Confident and credible when engaging with senior stakeholders and national leaders
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently in a part-time role
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and sustain effective partnerships
• Analytical and evidence-driven approach to policy development
• Politically aware, with sound judgement and sensitivity to context
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with a willingness to contribute across the organisation
• Commitment to improving outcomes for people living with heart failure
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Working locations

• Home-based
• Enables occasional travel into London and elsewhere in the UK.

How to apply

• We hope you consider applying for this role. If you would like an informal conversation with us about the appointment, please contact our Marketing and Events Manager at [email protected], who will be happy to arrange a call.
• To apply, please email the following documents to [email protected], including BSH Policy Officer in the subject field:
  • Your CV (no more than three sides of A4), including two referees.
  • A supporting statement (no more than two sides of A4) outlining your motivation for applying, confirming that you meet the requirements in Part 1 of the Person Specification and detailing how you meet the criteria in Part 2 of the Person Specification.
• Please note that cv's submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered
• The closing date is Monday 12th October 2026 11.59 pm

Policies

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. If you're excited by this opportunity but don't meet every requirement, we'd still encourage you to apply. As this role is primarily remote, we also encourage applicants from any location in the UK.

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