Public Affairs Manager

Motor Neurone Disease Association

Hours
37 hours per week

About the Organisation

Motor Neurone Disease moves fast. It takes away time, independence, and has no cure. Every day, we support people affected by MND. We fund ground-breaking research. We campaign for better care. We’re here for everyone who needs us. Because with MND, every day matters

About the role

We are looking for a strategic and proactive Public Affairs Manager – Westminster and Devolved Nations with a strong understanding of how political decisions are shaped and influenced. In this role, you will lead high-impact activity across Westminster, the Senedd and Stormont, ensuring the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association is respected and recognised as an effective voice for the MND community.

As a Public Affairs Manager, you will bring experience of influencing policy, ideally within health, social care, or research. You will build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and turn insight into action that delivers meaningful change. You thrive in a fast-moving environment, confidently managing competing demands while staying focused on outcomes.

As a Public Affairs Manager, you know how to identify opportunities, respond to political developments, and position the MND Association to influence decisions where it matters most. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to utilise your expertise to drive real impact, ensuring the MND Association continues to shape policy and improve outcomes for people affected by MND.

Responsibilities

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead the Association’s public affairs activities in Westminster and the devolved nations to achieve positive change for people affected by MND.
• Plan and oversee the delivery of the Association’s public affairs work in
• Westminster and build relationships with parliamentarians and political support for the Association’s campaigns.
• Regularly attend Parliament, including meeting with Parliamentarians and attending
• Parliamentary events relating to our work.
• Build and maintain a strong network of
• Parliamentary contacts who have an interest in our area of work, including leading our approach to party conferences.
• Work with colleagues to manage the development and implementation of campaigns in support of the Association’s influencing priorities, ensuring our political activities are aligned with our campaigning objectives.
• Advise and support paid staff and volunteers in the pursuit of public affairs objectives, locally and nationally.
• Monitor and advise on political developments that impact people affected by MND or the Association.
• Represent the Association in external meetings and build its reputation in Westminster, Whitehall, and the devolved nations.
• Manage the Association’s external political monitoring companies for Westminster and the devolved nations
• Provide the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on MND.
• Oversee our public affairs work in the Senedd and Stormont, including representing the MND Association at meetings when required.
• Proactively stay up-to-date with political developments and changing health, environment, and climate change policies.
• Manage and lead public affairs staff in a way that creates an environment that enables them to do their best.
• Be part of the overall leadership of the Campaigns, Policy, and Public Affairs team.
• Undertake any other task relevant to the job purpose and ensure that all functions performed reflect the Association's mission and core values

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential Criteria:

• Excellent understanding of Parliament, including its processes and how to influence government policy across Westminster, including decision-making systems and structures in health, social care, and research.
• Excellent understanding of the wider political landscape.
• An understanding of the Senedd and Stormont, and how health and social care policy works in Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Extensive public affairs and/or political experience, preferably on health, social care, and research issues.
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing ability, with proven ability to use this to deliver change.
• Proven ability to lead teams to better results.
• Work flexibly and in a changing environment, manage a large and complex workload with many competing demands, and have the ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good analytical skills to be able to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate own workload.
• Able to be in Westminster regularly and at short notice, and available for occasional evening and weekend work.

Compensation & Benefits

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave)
• Access to the Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Opportunities for training and personal development

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• Please apply via our website.
• To support an inclusive application process, we are open to receiving alternative applications from candidates who may find it difficult to complete our online form. If you would like to apply via video or audio file, please send your recorded application, ensuring you cover the supporting statement aspect, to [email protected]

Interviews

• Once we have shortlisted, we'll get in touch with all applicants to let you know if you've got to the next stage.

Policies

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, including employees, volunteers, and stakeholders. As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

The information provided to the MND Association when applying for a vacancy will be treated in full accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The MND Association is committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about what information we hold, whether you are a donor, volunteer, shopper, campaigner, or a person living with or affected by MND. For more information, visit Privacy Policy

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