Senior Comms & Public Affairs Officer Scotland

British Medical Association; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday entitlement

Pension contributions up to 12%

Volunteer leave entitlement

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

Group Income protection

Annual salary reviews and incremental薪

Job summary

The British Medical Association (BMA) is the trade union and professional body for doctors in the UK. We are recruiting a Senior Communications and Public Affairs Officer for Scotland to influence policy, manage media relations and deliver strategic campaigns for members.

In a fast-paced, high-profile environment you will lead integrated communications, advise senior leaders, and coordinate public affairs activity across Scotland, including line management of a Communications Officer.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in a public affairs, communications or media role.
• Strong understanding of Scotland’s political environment and devolved processes.
• Knowledge of NHS in Scotland and health policy is advantageous.
• Leadership and project management experience are essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of BMA Scotland’s public affairs, media and communications strategies.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders, elected members and chairs on political and media activity.
• Develop communications strategies for projects with clear objectives and key messages.
• Build relationships with government officials, politicians, journalists and external stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to influence legislation and public policy for members’ interests.
• Coordinate day-to-day work of the communications team, including line management.
• Ensure outputs are delivered on time and within budget.
• Lead projects with UK committees on public health policy and ethical matters.

Skills

Public affairs

Media relations

Strategic communications

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Scotland

Senior Comms & Public Affairs Officer Scotland

Job Reference bma/TP/235/1277

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

£51,577.58 per annum

Location:

Scotland

Closing Date:

22/11/2026

Directorate:

BMA Nations

Job Overview

About the BMA

The British Medical Association (BMA) is the trade union and professional body for doctors in the UK. We represent, support and negotiate on behalf of all UK doctors and medical students.

Join the BMA at a crucial time for doctors and the NHS and be part of a team working for better pay and conditions for the profession.

About the role

We’re looking for a Senior Communications and Public Affairs Officer to help represent the interests and priorities of doctors at all stages of their careers across Scotland. At a crucial time for the profession and the NHS, this role is ideal for a highly skilled public affairs and communications professional who can ensure we influence effectively and deliver impactful messaging on behalf of our members.

Working in fast paced and high-profile environment you will coordinate integrated communications, media relations and public affairs activity, provide expert tactical and strategic advice, and help protect and strengthen the BMA’s reputation with politicians, the media and the wider public.

As Senior Communications and Public Affairs Officer for BMA Scotland, you will:

• Help oversee delivery of BMA Scotland’s public affairs, media and communications strategies in line with the overall strategy agreed with the head of department.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders, colleagues, elected members and committee chairs on political and media activity
• Develop communications strategies for individual projects, with clear objectives, consistent narratives and compelling key messages
• Build and maintain relationships with government officials, ministers, politicians, political parties, journalists and external stakeholders
• identify opportunities to influence legislation, public policy and political debate in support of members’ interests
• Coordinate the day-to-day work of the communications and public affairs team, including line management of a Communications Officer
• Maintain high professional standards across media and public affairs outputs, ensuring activity is delivered on time and within budget
• Lead projects with UK committees on Scottish public health policy and ethical matters, as required.

To be successful as a Senior Communications and Public Affairs Officer you'll have:

• Substantial experience in a public affairs, communications or media role, ideally at national level
• A strong understanding of Scotland’s political environment, the Scottish Parliament and devolved legislative processes
• A good knowledge of the NHS in Scotland, health policy and trade union functions, and a proven ability to develop and deliver influential campaigns linked to clear policy outcomes
• A confident adviser and communicator, able to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, manage competing priorities and make sound decisions in a fast-moving environment
• Strong leadership, political judgement, project management and people-management skills are essential, alongside a commitment to producing consistently high-quality work

We anticipate that interviews will take place Early December 2026

Why work for us?

We offer a wide range of benefits including:

• 30 days holiday entitlement plus bank holidays and a BMA company day
• Double matching pension contributions up to 12% of salary
• Additional leave entitlement for volunteering, moving house or wedding leave (after completion of probationary period)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Group Income protection & life assurance that is seven times your annual salary
• Annual salary reviews & incremental salary increases from year one to year three
• Onsite gym and subsidised café (at BMA House in London)
• Electric Vehicle and Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme's (available after completion of probationary period)
• Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with free confidential counselling, a helpline and specialist support available
• Long service recognition every 5 years
• Professional subscription cover where membership of a professional institution is required for your role
• BMA Law - discounted rates for employees requiring legal services such as will writing/conveyancing
• Multiple flexible benefits and discounts through our employee benefits platform
• Lots of Learning and Development/training opportunities via our internal learning hub
• Season ticket loan (up to £10,000) (after completion of probationary period)
• Additional annual leave- buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year

Anonymous recruitment

The BMA endeavours to be an inclusive employer, ensuring fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for roles. To support our aims, we use specific software to remove all personal identifying information from CVs and applications. Personal information such as name, date of birth, age and gender are anonymised and will only become visible to hiring managers if you are selected for interview.

Whether the role needs you to work at home, in an office or in a hybrid way, we`ll provide all the support you need.

However, if you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support at any point during the application process, please email [e-mail] .

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

The role profile outlines the current key responsibilities and expectations for the position. However, the British Medical Association (BMA) is presently engaged in an organisation design process, which aims to ensure that our structure, roles, and ways of working best support our strategic objectives and the needs of our members. As a result, the responsibilities and scope of this role may be subject to change as the association evolves. The BMA is committed to communicating any such changes transparently and supporting colleagues through any transitions that arise as part of this process.

Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring:

Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts everybody with the right skills and experienceand signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.

BMA is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge as we recognise that diversity makes us stronger.

Please note, we are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration system, as we do not hold a sponsorship licence.