Policy and Public Affairs Manager
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
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We offer hybrid working.
About Us
Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.
Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer.
Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.
As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.
The Benefits
We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more.
We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Policy and Public Affairs Manager to join our Research, Policy and Impact team.
Supporting the Head of Cancer Insight, you will deliver, and keep under review the policy and public affairs strategy, including influencing at a local, regional, and national level, with the aim of helping the charity achieve its strategy and bringing benefit to the people of Yorkshire. You will have responsibility for the development of evidence-based policy reports and recommendations that can be used to influence a variety of audiences and project manage the development, delivery and evaluation of public affairs campaigns and events. As Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will also act as a source of expertise across the organisation and externally on key policy areas and the wider policy environment.
Specifically, you will:
Influencing
- Support the further development, refinement and delivery of the charity’s policy and public affairs strategy and impact evaluation process, to support the wider delivert of the charity’s strategic aims.
- Oversee the development of insightful written materials and reports to aid influencing.
- Lead the charity’s response to regional and national consultations relevant to cancer in Yorkshire, making a robust and evidence-based case for the charity’s position.
- Oversee the continued growth of the charity’s political monitoring work and ensure the effective pursuit of every opportunity offered.
- Engage with regional and national decision makers to influence policy-making for the benefit of people in Yorkshire and beyond.
- Build and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders across Yorkshire and beyond (such as DHSC, NHSE, Integrated Care Boards, Cancer Alliances, national policy groups, and other charities, to influence change based on policy recommendations.
- Evaluate the impact of policy and public affairs activity, with delivery of clear examples of external influencing.
Policy development
- Ensure the continued development of the policy production and dissemination process, including the policy development pathway, internal/external dissemination and impact evaluation.
- Lead the research, production and dissemination of high quality, evidence-based cancer-related policies and the strategic development of key policy recommendations.
- Oversee regular updates of existing policies and position statements, ensuring they are in line with the latest evidence.
- Ensure external insight is built into policies and policy development, such as gaining views from the Patient and Public Involvement Community, the inclusion of external patient and public contributors and endorsements from clinical and academic experts.
- Oversee work with relevant internal teams to create key messages for a range of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring these are in line with the latest evidence and are used correctly, and provide expert commentary on media stories.
- Act as a source of expertise on the charity’s cancer-related policies and position statements, both internally and externally. Undertake media interviews as required to communicate key messages with the public.
Campaigns and Events
- Project manage the development, delivery and evaluation of public affairs campaigns, in collaboration with the Brand and Relationships team where relevant, manage relationships with third parties to support campaign delivery where required.
- Lead the outreach and delivery of influencing events, including visits to charity-funded projects and party conference activity.
- Further develop and deliver a strategy for growing and maintaining a handraiser supporter base, to enhance campaigns activity.
About You
To be considered for this role, you will need:
To have a degree, preferably in a relevant subject area, for example public policy, public health, scientific, medical etc.
- To have significantl experience of writing influencing materials such as briefings, letters, blogs, campaign materials.
- To have substantial experience supporting the implementation of high impact public affairs strategies that are designed to influence.
- To have experience of evaluating campaigns and assessing the impact of policy and public affairs activities.
- To have excellent public affairs experience including understanding of local, regional and national government, the current health policy landscape as well as knowledge of UK parliamentary processes along with a proven track-record of engaging politically to make change happen.
- To have substantial experience of developing evidence-based policies for a health focused organisation.
- To have substantial experience of communicating health policy positions to a variety of audiences including for influencing purposes.
- To have a good understanding of the health care system in England.
- To be a strategic thinker with strong analytical, judgement and decision-making skills.
- To be able to sift out the essential elements from a mass of complex information, integrate and synthesise ideas, and present information to others in an accessible way.
- To have a pro-active and creative approach to policy work with an ability to identify and use external opportunities and a desire to succeed.
- To have excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills with the ability to interpret complex information and communicate this to a range of audiences so it is clear and accessible.
- To have excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise work, handle conflicting demands and meet tight deadlines with exceptional levels of accuracy maintained.
- To have strong management and leadership skills, with the ability to coach team members to encourage continued development and learning.
- To have strong networking, influencing and relationship management skills, with the ability to inspire and influence others, as well as the confidence and personal authority to work with external organisations.
Application
Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People, before 14 May 2026. Please read our privacy notice before applying.
Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer. We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.
We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. xwzovoh If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application please contact us via our website.