Public Affairs Manager

Job Title: Public Affairs Manager

Reports to: Head of Policy and Campaigns

Location: Hybrid & Borough High Street, London SE1 (2 days a week in the office)

Salary: £46,000

Contract: 18 months (with potential for extension)

Hours: 35 hrs per week.

About the role

We re looking for a resourceful, experienced public affairs manager to join our dedicated team working to bring justice, meaningful recognition and lasting health improvements to a community that has suffered as a result of the biggest treatment scandal in NHS history.

This is a rare opportunity to work for an organisation with a high profile within the political and health policy landscape with a 50-year track record of effective advocacy for our small community of people living with genetic and acquired bleeding disorders and their families. Most importantly, this role has the potential to directly improve peoples lives.

Around two thirds of our members are impacted by the contaminated blood scandal of the 1970s and 80s, which was recently investigated by the Infected Blood Inquiry. The resulting report in 2024 recommended improved health resources for people with bleeding disorders as well as compensation and support for those infected and affected by the scandal.

Although significant progress has been made, there s a lot more to do. Maintaining political pressure and keeping this issue in the public eye are essential to ensure our members receive the support and recognition they deserve. As public affairs manager you will bring energy, contacts, knowledge and ideas to strengthen and broaden engagement with MPs, peers and decision-makers.

In addition to our infected blood work, you will support other projects, including challenging gender inequality in accessing treatment and care and ensuring that people living with rare bleeding disorders have access to the latest cutting edge technologies.

Background and purpose

We are the only UK-wide charity for all those affected by a genetic bleeding disorder, a community of individuals and families, healthcare professionals and supporters.

For more than 75 years we have campaigned for better treatment, been a source of information and advice and supported people living with life-long conditions.

We want to ensure that everyone affected by a bleeding disorder:

Lives the best life that they can

Never feels alone or isolated

Feels empowered and confident.

We do this by:

Improving understanding about living with a bleeding disorder

Providing support at all life stages

Influencing and advocating on policy and access to treatment.

More than 40,000 men, women and children in the UK have a diagnosed bleeding disorder, and the number rises every year. Membership of the Haemophilia Society is free and open to all.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop our public affairs strategy to forward the policy goals of THS
• Translate the government health strategy and communicate its impact on the bleeding disorders community.
• Support the APPG on Haemophilia and Contaminated Blood, acting in capacity as THS secretariat to the group
• Develop and maintain relationships with MPs, peers and other health policy stakeholders. Recognising and creating opportunities to promote the work and strategies of THS and raise issues in the houses
• Working closely with the team to lead on the legislative changes which would impact on the infected blood community
• Represent the interests of THS and its policies at parliamentary events and relevant stakeholder groups
• Represent THS in areas such as the life sciences, access to treatment and care in the UK

Track relevant activity in Westminster and provide relevant updates to colleagues

• Work alongside communications team to produce updates on public affairs activities.

Person Specification

Experience, qualifications

Essential qualities, skills and experience

Evidenced experience of working within the public affairs environment in the UK

A demonstrated understanding of the challenges in health, disability and work policy

Ability to recognise and create opportunities within the political environment to represent the views and needs of THS and its members.

Experience of developing and implementing campaigns with demonstratable outcomes.

Ability to prepare and manage the production of policy papers, briefings, submissions, speeches and reports

• Experience of organising and supporting parliamentary events
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to plan ahead, keep records, manage deadlines, prioritise workload and maximise your use of time.
• Ability to work in a team as well as to use individual initiative and judgement.

Desirable qualities, skills and experience

• An understanding of long-term health conditions, their impact on patients and families, and how being affected might act as a motivation for fundraising
• An understanding of the rare disease and specialised commissioning environment
• Experience of working for a third sector organisation.

Personal qualities

A warm, compassionate and empathetic personality with the ability to develop positive relationships with people from all

Be an effective member of the team, recognising, respecting and promoting the different roles and diversity of the individuals in the team and presenting a positive impression of the team and The Society.

A highly motivated, supportive and collaborative team worker.

Values-driven with a proven commitment to social inclusion and equal opportunities.

Other requirements

• Must be prepared to occasionally travel throughout the UK and to work varying hours including evenings and weekends as required.
  
• Due to the nature of our work with children and vulnerable adults, this role will require a DBS check and checks on previous employment.

What we offer:

Competitive Salary

Generous Pension Contribution Agile Working

25 days holiday (pro rata) plus an additional day for each year of service up to 5 years Well located office very close to Borough Market.

The Haemophilia Society is an equal opportunities employer.