RCGPNI Policy & Public Affairs Manager

Royal College of General Practitioners; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal College of General Practitioners NI is seeking a dynamic Policy and Public Affairs Manager to drive the College’s policy priorities and influence public policy in Northern Ireland. You will develop policy, campaigns and communications strategies, working with senior civil servants, politicians and stakeholders.

The role requires experience drafting press releases, coordinating media responses, writing copy and briefing papers, with line management responsibilities and a degree or

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Experience in campaigns, policy and public relations and communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build strong internal/external relationships.
• Line management experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Advance RCGP policy priorities and influence public policy in Northern Ireland.
• Develop policy, campaign objectives and provide public affairs advice and support to Officers and Head of NI.
• Draft press releases, coordinate responses to media requests, write copy and briefing papers.
• Coordinate social media activity and produce briefing papers, reports and summary documents.
• Lead on the public affairs, policy, public relations and communications function.

Skills

Policy development

Public affairs

Media relations

Communication skills

Line management

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Job description

Grade DN, Salary £44,835.42 per annum

Location: Belfast (Hybrid working - minimum 2 days per week in office)

The Royal College of General Practitioners is the largest membership organisation solely for GPs in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1952, it has over 55,000 members who are committed to improving patient care, developing their own skills, and promoting general practice as a discipline. General practice is the largest branch of the medical profession. It provides some 1 million consultations for patients in the UK every working day and deals with 86% of the health problems experienced by the UK population.

Full time, 35 hours per week

Fixed Term Contract - 12 months

Grade DN, Salary £44,835.42 per annum

Location: Belfast (Hybrid working - minimum 2 days per week in office)

Closing date: 12.00pm on Friday 02 October 2026

Interview date: TBC week commencing 12 October 2026

RCGPNI is looking for a dynamic and committed Policy and Public Affairs Manager with experience of the fast-paced world of campaigns, policy and public relations and communications. The post holder will work with senior civil servants, politicians, the NI Assembly, Government, and key stakeholders to advance the College’s key policy priorities and influence public policy in Northern Ireland. They will be responsible for RCGP policy development, campaign objectives, and providing public affairs advice and support to RCGPNI Officers and the Head of NI. Extensive experience in drafting press releases, coordinating responses to media requests, writing copy, and coordinating social media activity is essential, as well as producing written material (including briefing papers, reports, and summary documents) to inform and develop areas of policy for RCGP Northern Ireland. As a confident individual with line management experience, educated to degree level or equivalent, with a good political understanding and an extensive knowledge of the key issues facing the healthcare system in Northern Ireland, the successful candidate will have strong written and verbal communication skills, the ability to quickly assimilate and analyse complex issues and be able to build strong internal and external relationships. The postholder will need to deal with a varied and demanding workload, meet tight deadlines, be flexible, self-motivated and have the ability to take the initiative. A clean driving licence and access to transport as and when the role requires is essential. In return, we offer a varied hybrid working environment, good benefits, and the opportunity to work with elected officers to lead on the public affairs, policy, public relations, and communications function of an influential national organisation.