Head of External Affairs

Details

Salary: £55,000

Location: London/hybrid

Contract: Permanent

We are recruiting to this exciting and challenging External Affairs role which brings together policy and communications to strengthen our national voice, increase our impact and support delivery of our mission.

You will be a strategic, outward facing leader who can bring political insight, strong judgement and the ability to turn evidence and policy into compelling public facing narrative. You will oversee parliamentary engagement, policy adoption, campaigns, media relations and organisational narrative, ensuring RSPH’s voice is clear, confident and influential.

This is a rare opportunity to shape an evolving function and lead teams working across policy, influencing and communications. You will play a central role in raising RSPH’s profile, supporting adoption of our programmes and positioning us as a leading voice on public health, inequalities and the wider public health workforce

About you

We welcome candidates from policy, public affairs, communications or corporate affairs backgrounds.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Strong political awareness and experience engaging with Parliamentary and national stakeholders
• Confident communications leadership including media, narrative and external messaging
• The ability to build coalitions and secure influence and adoption
• Clear strategic judgement in complex or fast moving contexts
• Experience leading and developing teams

In return we offer:

• 25 days annual leave
• Agile hybrid working structure – 9-day fortnight available
• Pension contributions
• BUPA Cash plan
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Membership of the Royal Society for Public Health
• Access to public health knowledge and skills training courses and qualifications
• Organisational commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of our employees
• Welcoming and friendly team of colleagues, and an active Health Champions programme

RSPH values and actively strives to have a diverse and inclusive workforce in a working environment free from discrimination. Please do let us know if you require any adjustment to allow you to participate in this recruitment process.

RSPH operates an agile working policy with some attendance at our London office according to business need.   

To apply

If you have any questions, please email Matthew Bazeley-Bell, Deputy CEO ([email protected]).

Please submit your CV and a short supporting statement outlining how you meet the requirements of the role.

Closing date: 27 March 2026 at 9.00 am

Interviews will be held at our offices in Whitechapel on Monday 20 April.  If you are unable to attend, please indicate this on your application.

Please find the full job description and person specification below.

We look forward to hearing from you.