Head of Policy Development (18 Month FTC)

Cancer Research UK

We are uniquely placed to inform political debate. We work with Parliamentarians across all four seats of government in the UK – Westminster, Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive. By doing so, we ensure that their policies tackle the major risk factors for cancer including alcohol, obesity, diet and sun awareness.

Further to this, we focus on a number of other areas of policy including supporting science, access to treatment, early diagnosis and cancer services. We advocate to ensure that the UK can produce world class research, that people with cancer can access the best available treatments and care and that diagnosing cancer early remains a priority in our health service.

What will I be doing?

• Lead a team of policy development experts to ensure CRUK effectively develops evidence-based and timely positions to influence the policy agenda in the UK.
• Advocate for the use of the best available evidence in our policymaking processes, while balancing this with the need to be bold and timely in our efforts to influence policymakers.
• Maintain knowledge across all aspects of CRUK’s health policy agenda, including keeping abreast of relevant scientific and clinical advances, as well as broader shifts in the landscape, to consider how this impacts our work.
• Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders, provide expert knowledge and advice on policy issues with colleagues, including senior staff, press teams, and the public affairs and campaigns teams.
• Working with the Head of Public Affairs, develop and implement stakeholder strategies, building strong relationships with a range of external stakeholders to support CRUK’s policy goals, including Government and the Civil Service, the academic sector, industry, and charities.
• Effectively communicate complex policy messages to a variety of audiences through mechanisms such as meetings, presentations, written outputs, and regular media work.
• Partnering the Director of Policy to prepare the charity’s positions in key and emerging areas, liaising with experts in the field and critically assessing the benefits of the charity taking a lead role in a policy versus working in partnership.
• Lead decision making on commissioning policy research with emphasis on the opportunities for greatest impact, managing the budget and working across teams to deliver in a timely and cost-effective way.
• Develop, and oversee implementation of, policy development team operating plans linked to organisational and department strategies, setting relevant OKRs.
• Be an active member of the Policy Department leadership team, shaping department strategy and optimising delivery; taking on cross-department tasks as appropriate.
• Oversee team performance, reward and recognition, training and development, and talent management and retention.

What skills are you looking for?

• Excellent understanding of the policy development process with proven experience in the medical, health policy or health research sectors.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to build strong relationships, including with senior stakeholders.
• Politically savvy with the ability to maneuver through complex political situations effectively and is sensitive to how people and organisations function.
• Strategically agile and future orientated, anticipating consequences and trends accurately; with the ability to create compelling strategies and tactical plans.
• Experienced leader and manager, with the ability to set priorities and galvanize teams, rapidly zeroing in on what is important and effectively navigating roadblocks.
• Excellent leadership track record, taking unpopular stands if necessary, while encouraging debate and diversity of thought.

What will I gain?

Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that’s impressive.

In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well.

Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.

We don’t forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture.

Our work – from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy – will change the world. It’s exciting to be part of our team.