Recently named Charity of the Year by Just Giving Awards 2022, we’re committed to moving further, faster to accelerate change for everyone affected by a brain tumour. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 in the UK than any other cancer. We know that a cure can’t wait.

At The Brain Tumour Charity, we’re the largest dedicated funder of brain tumour research globally— and our External Affairs team will stop at nothing to drive forward a bold, positive agenda of change for everyone affected.

This exciting role will lead and support The Charity’s Policy and Campaigns team and our plans to identify the change most needed for our community, and to work with those affected, partners and decision-makers to influence and campaign for change in brain tumour diagnosis, treatment and care.

You’ll provide expertise to guide our focus in key policy areas from early diagnosis to access to nursing support, develop and manage the team’s evidence-based and community-led positions, grow our parliamentary presence and raise our voice as a campaign leader in this space. You’ll build strong relationships with key stakeholders and launch campaigns that mobilise action to help improve or extend the lives of those affected.

Put simply, you’ll continue to drive our ambitious policy and campaigning: ensuring the needs and voices of brain tumour patients are put on the agenda, and lead us towards long-awaited change for families affected.

📍Location: While contracted to our office in Fleet, Hampshire, our team supports a blend of office and home working provided you have adequate broadband and IT capability, with an average of 2-3 days in the office each week, alongside travel to parliamentary meetings.

⏰Working hours: This role is 37.5 hours per week, with some out of hours working.

💰Benchmarked salary: c.£58,450 (dependent on level)

 Please note this role is covering maternity leave for a 12 months fixed term contract.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with significant experience of working in a relevant policy role to deliver change, and in team leadership.

You’ll have a passion for improving health outcomes through policy development, influencing and proactive campaigning, and you'll share our commitment to being evidence-based and community-focused in all we do.

You will have strong analytical skills, first-class communication skills and an excellent attention to detail. You’ll be comfortable representing The Charity with senior stakeholders and you’ll also be a strategic thinker—able to lead the team to uncover the underlying causes of key issues affecting patients and to initiate and develop strategic campaigns that inspire people to take action.

You’ll also have a flexible approach and an excellent understanding of the political landscape to help us create, identify and react to external opportunities.

• Oversee and deliver influencing strategies to pursue real change including growing our parliamentary presence across the devolved nations.
• Advise on the strategic approach to policy development work adopted by The Brain Tumour Charity including knowing when to commission external research/analysis to be undertaken.
• Provide counsel and advice to the Senior Leadership Team on new and existing policy positions and provide reactive policy advice when required.
• Develop and ensure the delivery of annual policy and campaigns plans that support wider External Affairs aims and organisational objectives
• Develop campaign strategies using Theory of Change model ensuring the community voice is at the heart of campaigns, policy and public affairs work

• Lead a high performing team through their policy, public affairs and campaigning work including continually reviewing activity and adapting as/when necessary to ensure maximum impact.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of key policies relevant to brain tumours, cancer and NHS care, supporting the team to develop its expertise and horizon-scan to identify issues requiring action
• Develop and cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders including NHS bodies, civil servants, charity partners, policymakers and healthcare professionals to influence policy
• Ensure effective, collaborative working with internal teams on policy issues and key external audiences engaged with our work.
• Play an active role in The Charity’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and contributing to the pursuit of the strategic objectives of the charity.

The post holder will also; ·

· Contribute to achieving the objectives of The Brain Tumour Charity ·

· Undertake any additional and ad hoc tasks as required ·

· Participate in team meetings and other meetings as required ·

· Monitor and evaluate activities and provide written reports ·

· Represent The Charity at external events in a professional manner ·

· Work within an equal opportunities framework ·

· Adhere to all The Charity’s policies, procedures and working ·

· Ensure all records are held in compliance with GDPR, The Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice and The Brain Tumour Charity policies.

Please note that the responsibilities listed are not exhaustive and this job description may be subject to change as the role evolves over time.

We encourage you to apply to the role even if you do not meet all of the criteria.

Experience:

· Significant experience of leading a team in a relevant policy and campaigning environment to deliver change
· Significant experience of thinking strategically to develop evidenced-based policy positions, recommendations and messaging that are routed in the community
· Significant experience of developing campaign and influencing strategies through a Theory of Change model
· Significant experience of developing strong external relationships and influencing key decision-makers

 Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

· Strong understanding of effective influencing and digital campaigning techniques
· Demonstrable expertise in the UK parliamentary process and legislative systems and experience in providing counsel to senior staff on policy issues
· Excellent knowledge of and interest in the UK political landscape and current affairs
· Knowledge of the NHS and UK health structures
· Understanding of the value of involving people affected at all stages of policy and campaigns work
· Knowledge of key policy areas relevant to health/cancer, for example early diagnosis, access to medical treatment and support, or medical research policy

• Ability to represent the charity and the patient voice at senior level meetings—including with Ministers etc
• Excellent research and analytical skills, with exceptional attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to an evidence-base
• First-class interpersonal skills, able to deal sensitively and compassionately with patients and the public, as well as working with senior staff and leaders
• Excellent communication skills– able to translate technical information into accessible language and present complex issues in a clear and motivating way
• Ability to manage and lead a high performing team —thinking strategically, prioritising critical issues and producing and implementing action plans
• A passion for learning new skills and developing your team’s expertise in policy and campaigns
• A deep empathy and understanding of our mission

You’ll be joining a collaborative, bold and innovative team of individuals who put our community first and are connected by a passion to make a real difference. 

🏆Our amazing benefits:

The Brain Tumour Charity is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals belonging to minority ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented communities. 

We strive to create a workplace that celebrates diversity and provides equal opportunities for all candidates and we encourage all individuals to apply even if they don’t meet all the criteria.

Whilst we'd love to have you on board, we want to be upfront as we’d hate to waste your time applying for a role where we can’t take you on. At the moment, we're unable to offer visa sponsorship for any of our positions. We're currently seeking candidates who are already authorised to work in the UK without the need for sponsorship, who can remain on a permanent basis.

Please apply by clicking the red ‘join our team’ button, attaching your CV and a covering letter explaining why you want the role, what you would bring to the team and how your skillset and experience will enable us to make a real impact for those affected by brain tumours. We'd like to encourage you not to use AI to write your cover letter as we want to get to know you, the real you!

We are keen to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive so if you’d find it beneficial to submit your application in a different format, please drop us a line at careers@thebraintumourcharity.org.

Advert close date: 26th January 2025

First interview date and location: week commencing 3rd February 2025 over Teams 

Second interview date and location: week commencing 10th February 2025 at our office in Fleet

The post holder will also; 

• Contribute to achieving the objectives of The Brain Tumour Charity
• Live and breathe our values by being bold, collaborative and innovative, with a community-first approach to everything you do
• Undertake any additional and ad hoc tasks as required 
• Participate in team meetings and other meetings as required 
• Monitor and evaluate activities and provide written reports 
• Represent The Charity at external events in a professional manner 
• Work within an equal opportunities framework 
• Adhere to all The Charity’s policies, procedures and working 
• Ensure all records are held in compliance with GDPR, The Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice and The Brain Tumour Charity policies.

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