Head of Policy, Campaigns and Public Affairs

This is an exciting role working for one of the UK’s fast-growing and most influential cancer charities and it seeks to execute its new 2024-2027 strategy. The Head of Policy, Campaigns and Public Affairs will work alongside the Director of Patient Projects and Influencing to spearhead our advocacy and influencing strategy, driving forward our agenda to transform prostate cancer advocacy and improve outcomes for people affected by prostate cancer. This strategic role involves building essential relationships with politicians and key stakeholders, increasing our organisational profile, and leveraging findings to advocate for policy changes. 

• Strategic Advocacy and Campaign Leadership: Develop and lead PCR’s campaign and public affairs activities, ensuring strategies are focussed on achieving meaningful policy and practice change on the highest priority issues, including screening and access to innovative and evolving treatment options. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Forge strategic relationships and build our profile among politicians, policymakers, regulators and KoLs to enhance our impact and position Prostate Cancer Research as a source of trusted information for prostate cancer policy. 
• Shaping Policy: Coordinate responses to relevant consultations, such as government, MHRA, trade bodies, and NICE/SMC appraisals, where appropriate.  
• Evidence-Based Advocacy: Utilise findings from funded reports, such as our Overtreatment/Overdiagnosis report and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), to advocate for change in screening and other relevant policies, and support/commission the development of further evidence as needed.  
• Relationship Building and Event Coordination: Identify and cultivate potential parliamentary champions and supporters and host impactful events. 
• Patient Centricity: Ensure our patients remain at the centre of this work, putting structures in place for them to be involved in setting priorities, informing our policy positions with their lived experience, and advocating for change. 
• Policy Monitoring and Analysis: Monitor and analyse relevant healthcare policy in the UK to inform the organisation’s strategic development and seize on political opportunities.  

• Strong knowledge/experience of the health and social care sector, its public bodies, and key relevant policies 
• An excellent understanding of the UK political environmental, structures of government at national, local and devolved nation levels, with established relationships with key stakeholders or a proven ability to develop these efficiently and effectively. 
• Demonstrable experience in advocacy, public affairs, or a related field, with a proven track record of successful and integrated campaigns to change public policy. 
• Strong experience working cross-functionally within a fast-paced organisation. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders spanning the private, public and third sector.  
• Excellent written and oral skills. 
• Ability to synthesise and present complex evidence and policy analysis and use these to generate compelling messages and policy asks. 
• Decision-making ability, with the ability to prioritise and manage simultaneous workstreams whilst delivering outputs in a responsive and timely manner. 
• Ability to work with patient representatives to bring the voice of people affected by prostate cancer to the heart of the debate. 
• Ability to manage resources and funding strategically to maximise impact. 

• Impactful Work: Make a significant impact in the fight against prostate cancer, contributing to initiatives that save lives and improve patient outcomes. 
• Career Growth: This role offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of new, exciting unit in an organisation that is already making its presence felt. 
• Collaborative Environment: Join a dynamic team of professionals dedicated to making a difference, in an environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and professional growth. 
• Benefits: Enjoy a range of staff benefits, including Bike 2 Work scheme, Mental Health Services, Perkbox, BUPA Health Insurance offer, pension scheme, birthday gift, ongoing L&D opportunities, generous annual leave, hybrid working options and a positive and supportive culture.   

To apply, please submit your CV and a 1-2 page cover letter outlining your suitability for the role, your experience in project development and management, and how you align with PCR’s mission to: [email protected] 

PCR is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. 

• Working type: Hybrid with occasional travel to meetings required. 
• Hours: The position is full time at 35 hours per week. 
• Salary: £51,579-61,322 commensurate with experience. 
• Reports to: Director of Patient Projects and Influencing 

Applications close on 18th of May 2024.  

Participants will be invited to interview on a rolling basis. 

For further inquiries, please contact David James, our Director of Patient Projects at [email protected]. 

Prostate Cancer Research (PCR) is a research and information provision charity that is dedicated to improving and saving the lives of people with prostate cancer. Patients are central to everything we do and drive our work. Our work covers four key areas:  

• Academic and social research – We fund novel and innovative research projects at world-leading institutions that are working towards breakthroughs in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of advanced prostate cancer, and better quality of life outcomes for patients. We ensure that our research is targeted to address patient need and research gaps to maximise our impact and reach better treatments for patients sooner.  
• Translational research – We set up Proven Connect, the translational research arm of PCR, to focus on ensuring more promising treatments get from lab to patient through bridging the gap between industry, investors, health providers and patients.  
• Patient information and empowerment – We acknowledge that research alone is not enough to achieve our vision. We involve, educate, and empower people affected by prostate cancer to enable them to play a more active role in driving forward changes in research, treatment and care.  
• Influencing – We seek to ensure greater equity of treatment and parity of care, and are working towards a world where no man is left behind, where prostate cancer is caught early and can be cured. 

Our vision for the future is clear: to be an integral part of creating one of the healthiest ecosystems for any disease type. An ecosystem that is connected, collaborative, equitable, and effective. Over the next 3 years we are setting ambitious targets to double our research funding, accelerate twelve biotech ventures, engage at least 100,000 people in influencing change, initiate three novel projects to enhance equity, and grow our income to more than £7 million.  

For more information visit www.pcr.org.uk and www.theinfopool.co.uk