Head of Public Affairs, Policy and Advocacy

PROSPECTUS; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK charity focused on advocacy is seeking a Head of Public Affairs, Policy and Advocacy to deliver impactful public affairs strategies. The role involves significant travel in London and the UK. Candidates should have extensive experience in political advocacy and a strong grasp of the UK political system. Responsibilities include drafting communications, coordinating political engagement, and supporting bereaved families in their advocacy efforts. This position offers a permanent contract starting in 2026.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in political advocacy or public affairs influencing.
• Proven track record of delivering policy and political outcomes.
• Hands-on policy delivery experience and strong understanding of the UK political system.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the charity’s public affairs and lived-experience advocacy strategy.
• Translate strategy into effective, timely advocacy action.
• Draft letters, briefings, parliamentary questions, and amendments.

Skills

Political advocacy

Public affairs influencing

Excellent written communication

Empathy for lived experience

Job description

Overview

Prospectus is collaborating with a UK charity founded by families who lost loved ones to gambling‑related suicide to recruit a Head of Public Affairs, Policy and Advocacy to join on permanent contract starting in 2026. The charity operates remotely, but significant London and UK travel is required.

Role Description

The Head of Public Affairs, Policy and Advocacy is responsible for delivering the charity’s public affairs and lived‑experience advocacy strategy. This senior operational role ensures that the agreed strategy is converted into effective, timely, and impactful advocacy action in support of bereaved families.

The post holder will feed into overall organisational strategy, shape delivery plans, prioritise activity, and personally undertake significant advocacy work—including drafting letters, briefings, parliamentary questions and amendments, coordinating political engagement, and advancing policy asks within Parliament, government, and regulatory processes. The role also supports bereaved family members to meet with MPs and Peers and to provide evidence to committees.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the charity’s public affairs and lived‑experience advocacy strategy.
• Translate strategy into effective, timely and impactful advocacy action.
• Shape delivery plans and prioritise activity in line with organisational strategy.
• Draft letters, briefings, parliamentary questions and amendments.
• Coordinate political engagement and advance policy asks within Parliament, government and regulatory processes.
• Support bereaved family members to engage with MPs and peers and to provide evidence to committees.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in political advocacy or public affairs influencing.
• Proven track record of delivering policy and political outcomes.
• Hands‑on policy delivery experience and strong understanding of the UK political system, parliamentary processes and policy‑making cycles.
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to produce clear, persuasive and politically astute documents.
• Empathy for people with lived experience.

How to Apply

Submit your CV and a two‑page supporting statement, preferably in Microsoft Word or PDF format. The statement should outline your motivation for joining the charity and why you would be a good fit for this role, including examples that relate to the Person Specification section in the Job Pack.

If you have any further questions or would like to know more about this opportunity, please contact Steven Fraser from Prospectus.

Additional Information

Prospectus is committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.