Strategic External Affairs Lead

Department of Health and Social Care; Leeds; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Health and Social Care seeks an External Affairs Manager (HEO level) to manage a portfolio of stakeholder relationships and support engagement strategies across priority areas. The role involves identifying and mapping stakeholders, developing proportionate engagement approaches, and producing briefing materials for ministers and senior officials.

You will maintain partner databases, monitor stakeholder views, and share intelligence with communications and policy colleagues to

Qualifications

• Experience identifying, mapping and monitoring key stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse stakeholder views to inform communications strategy.
• Strong written and verbal communication for senior audiences.

Responsibilities

• Support the identification, mapping and monitoring of key stakeholders, ensuring communications strategies are informed by rigorous analysis of stakeholder views and priorities.
• Contribute to reactive and proactive stakeholder engagement activities with proportionate approaches.
• Nurture relationships with charities, health bodies, professional associations and patient groups, preparing briefings for senior leaders.
• Produce high-quality briefings and communications materials for ministerial and senior officials, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Drive evaluation of external affairs activities, incorporating stakeholder feedback to improve approaches.
• Support team operations by maintaining partner databases, shared inbox and weekly bulletin.
• Stay up to date with health and care developments and share relevant stakeholder intelligence with teams.
• Contribute to development of team tools and processes to build stakeholder engagement capability.
• As a member of the Government Communications Service, champion best practice and professional standards.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Policy awareness

Analytical thinking

Communication

Job description

Department of Health and Social Care seeks an External Affairs Manager (HEO level) to manage a portfolio of stakeholder relationships and support engagement strategies across priority areas. The role involves identifying and mapping stakeholders, developing proportionate engagement approaches, and producing briefing materials for ministers and senior officials.

You will maintain partner databases, monitor stakeholder views, and share intelligence with communications and policy colleagues to