Policy Manager

Alzheimer's Research UK; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Alzheimer's Research UK is seeking a Policy Manager to shape policy, advocate for dementia research funding, and engage with policymakers, clinicians, and those with lived experience. The role focuses on developing strategic policy initiatives, coordinating across teams, and driving impact in government and health systems.

You will work in a dynamic team to promote investment in dementia care and enable faster translation of research into practice, with a hybrid office pattern in Cambridge and

Qualifications

• Experience in policy development and implementation within a healthcare setting.
• Experience involving clinicians and the public/patients in policy work.
• Proven success in developing, implementing, and influencing policy at a national level.
• Experience managing staff and supporting their development.
• Strong track record of building relationships with stakeholders in biomedical research or health settings.
• Understanding of diverse channels for communicating policy work.
• Excellent organisational and programme management abilities.
• Professional writing skills adaptable for different audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage programmes of work on key strategic policy areas.
• Provide expertise on evidence, insight, and policy context to enable new policy ideas.
• Manage development of policy outputs: briefings, reports, submissions to government and others.
• Work with Policy Communications to disseminate policy work to key audiences.

Skills

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Healthcare policy

Policy analysis

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Project management

Negotiation

Job description

Location Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AD (Agile; approximately 2 days a week from our office)

This is a Permanent , , Full Time vacancy.

The Vacancy

We’re thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a Policy Manager to join our vibrant and highly respected Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns Team!

In this influential role, you’ll be at the heart of shaping our policy agenda, helping drive real and positive change for those affected by dementia. You’ll have the chance to champion innovation and research breakthroughs, bringing fresh energy and insight to areas that truly matter. By combining your expertise in policy analysis, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, you’ll help steer strategic initiatives that impact government decisions, public health priorities, and vital research funding.

You’ll collaborate with a diverse and inspiring group of people, including policymakers, researchers, clinicians, and those with lived experience of dementia. Together, you’ll work to strengthen the case for greater investment in dementia care, championing improvements in healthcare pathways and clinical practice. You’ll be advocating for fairer, more accessible diagnosis and treatment, and supporting health systems to adopt best practices as we prepare for the future of dementia therapies.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and manage programmes of work on key strategic policy areas that position ARUK as a key influencer both nationally and internationally. This may include the commissioning of external evidence generation.
• Provide expertise on the relevant evidence, insight, and policy context to enable the development of new innovative policy ideas and solutions that deliver on our strategic priorities.
• Manage the development of substantial and credible policy outputs, including briefings, reports, submissions to government departments and their agencies, parliamentary committees, and other UK and international organisations as appropriate.
• Work with the Policy Communications team to ensure our policy work is disseminated to our key audiences via a range of appropriate channels to maximise our reach and impact.
• Develop and maintain mechanisms to keep abreast of the policy environment.
• Analyse, interpret and make judgements on complex project activities, delegating and managing the policy advisors to achieve set deliverables through their management of day-to-day activities. As Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns works in a matrix structure this may include managing deliverables with policy advisors across the team.
• Support the join-up between projects and across the wider team to ensure shared knowledge and the opportunity to maximise influence and impact.

Stakeholder engagement and management

• Develop and manage stakeholder engagement of key policy contacts.
• Actively promote patient and public involvement in the development and delivery of projects.
• Work with Public Affairs colleagues to strengthen existing and emerging relationships with political and other parliamentary stakeholders to maximise the impact of our policy work.
• Attend external working groups and help develop partnerships beneficial to ARUK.
• Work with other charities to ensure ARUK is playing a leadership role in shaping government medical research policy.

Research and data analysis

• Oversee the analysis of necessary data and evidence, working with other ARUK colleagues, to produce accurate, timely and insightful policy materials, briefings and media stories.

Line Management Responsibilities

• Line manage and develop two Policy Advisors, providing coaching, mentoring and performance management as appropriate.
• Work with Senior Policy Manager and other Managers to support our team mission, wider team development and our commitment to excellence.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Experience in policy development and implementation within a healthcare setting.
• Experience involving clinicians and the public/patients in policy work.
• Proven success in developing, implementing, and influencing policy at a national level.
• Experience managing staff and supporting their development.
• Strong track record of building effective relationships with stakeholders, particularly in biomedical research or health settings.
• Skilled in producing and reviewing complex policy reports and consultation responses, and in working with government teams to embed ideas.
• Understanding of diverse channels for communicating policy work.
• Collaborative, hard-working team player with a strategic outlook and a clear focus on impact.
• Skilled at managing and developing people.
• Shows initiative and adaptability in a complex, changing policy environment.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, effective with people at all levels both in person and remotely.
• Excellent organisational, prioritisation, and programme management abilities.
• Professional writing skills, with the ability to adapt style for different audiences.
• Confident user of Microsoft Office.

The closing date for applications is the 20th September 2026

Alzheimer's Research UK is a registered charity, numbers 1077089 and SC042474.

3 Riverside, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6AD

Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure. Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope.

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented. Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

It is important to offer a range of benefits which are designed to meet both the organisational and individual needs, are market competitive and designed to attract and retain employees.