external affairs and influencing manager, maudsley charity

External Affairs and Influencing Manager

Maudsley Charity

Salary: £48,000 per annum

Contract: Full time, permanent role

Location: Hybrid role between home and London office, with two days per week in the Denmark Hill office

Closing date for applications: 9am on Tuesday 28th July
First round interviews will be held remotely on: Thursday 13th August
Second round interviews will be held in person on: Thursday 20th and Friday 21st August

Charity People is delighted to be partnering once again with Maudsley Charity to recruit an External Affairs and Influencing Manager.

A hugely exciting new role within the Communications team at the charity, the postholder will work across media, external affairs and influencing to engage with key stakeholders, boost the charity’s profile, and promote learning and adoption of the solutions the organisation funds. You will be responsible for sharing evidence and learning in order to influence the people who fund, adopt and commission mental health care and services, and will work closely with the CEO to increase engagement with policy work which the Maudsley Charity undertakes through it’s work in coalitions.

About Maudsley Charity

Maudsley Charity funds and supports clinical, academic, and community partners to ensure that everyone experiencing mental illness can access the right care, while using insights from their work to drive wider improvements across the UK.

Recognising the profound impact of mental illness and the inequalities in access, experience, and outcomes – particularly those linked to social deprivation and racism – the organisation focusses on addressing gaps in care.

With an approach that combines evidence, lived experience, and a commitment to equity, the organisation backs impactful, evidence-based solutions, ensuring services are shaped by real-world insight, and prioritising support for those most underserved to drive improvements that benefit all.

About the role

This is a core role within the organisation’s influencing strategy, and your primary responsibilities will include:

External Affairs & Influencing:

• Develop and deliver influencing plans to promote adoption of effective mental health care initiatives being funded by the charity

• Develop productive relationships with key stakeholders (journalists, NHS trust leaders, ICBs, ICSs, VCSE orgs) to gather intelligence and shape strategy to inform the charity’s positioning

• Lead the charity’s thought leadership development providing strategic advice to senior leadership on political, NHS and mental health policy developments

• Strengthen the charity’s role in mental health policy and advocacy coalitions, by contributing to collaborative advocacy, media and communications outputs

• Lead the charity’s response to government mental health care consultations and calls for evidence

• Monitor funder sector trends and conversations, and actively seek out opportunities for the charity to strategically engage and influence by sharing learning from its grant making practice

Media management

• Develop and implement integrated external affairs campaigns that support the charity’s influencing work

• Create persuasive materials, including press releases, op-eds, spokespeople briefings, comment pieces, and digital content and pitch to relevant outlets

• Maintain and grow relationships with journalists, broadcasters and sector media to secure relevant high-quality coverage of the charity’s activities, grant holders and their projects

• Act as first point of contact for media enquiries, managing proactive and reactive press activity

This role is expected to grow and develop and the postholder will be fully supported from across the organisation as the position evolves, within an organisation that offers a friendly, values led culture.

We would love to hear from individuals with the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrable track record of developing and implementing successful influencing strategies in the mental health sector

• Experience of stakeholder management within mental health care, including NHS Trust leaders, Integrated Care Boards, commissioners and senior clinicians, and with academics and researchers

• Strong experience in media relations, including briefing senior spokespeople, drafting press releases, media handling, and securing media coverage with a good understanding of the needs and expectations of different outlets and publications

• Keen understanding of the NHS, mental health policy landscape, and the related environment, key stakeholders and sector drivers

• Understanding of the key components and considerations of successful external affairs media and influencing

• Understanding of the sensitivities around mental illness, including working in an empathetic manner with people with lived experience

• Understanding of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles and a commitment to apply them in your work and as an organisation

• Influencing skills including confidence and credibility in working with stakeholders,

• Communication skills and the ability to produce clear and effective communications and the ability to confidently and accurately represent the organisation externally

• Written and editorial skills including the ability to craft narratives for different external audiences and communicate the charity’s work in press releases, articles, policy briefs

How to apply

Maudsley Charity is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented backgrounds. We welcome applications from non-graduates.

Applications are managed via Charity People and involve a structured, anonymised process focusing on your experience and potential. Please send your CV to Alice at Charity People alice@charitypeople.co.uk in the first instance.

You can view the full job pack here: https://charitypeople.co.uk/maudsley-charity-external-affairs-and-influencing-manager-job-pack/

Please see full job description here: ht/tps://charitypeople.co.uk/maudsley-charity-external-affairs-and-influencing-manager-job-description

Equal Opportunities monitoring

We ask that applicants complete our DEI monitoring form when submitting their CV for this role. The form can be found here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PXF9NWT?JobRef=113442&CPDept=Comms&Org=Maudsley&Con=Longlist

Maudsley Charity is an equal opportunities employer, and makes no discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sex. Specifically, we will also oppose unfair discrimination of those with mental health issues.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

*JOB OF THE WEEK* communications officer (change) , thurrock council

Communications Officer (Change)  

Thurrock Council

Salary: £39,027 – £44,463 per annum (pro rata - only if part-time)  

Grade:  E  

Contract Type:  Permanent  

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Closing Date (Internal & External): 26th July 2026    

Change can be exciting, messy, and everything in between - and that’s where you come in. We’re looking for a Communications Officer (Change) who will be at the heart of our transformation work where you can turn big ideas into clear, engaging stories that people want to read, watch and share. You’ll play a key role in bringing our change programmes to life. 

What We’re Looking For 

We’re looking for someone who understands how good communication helps change land well and stick. You will be curious and confident getting to grips with complex work, asking the right questions and turning what you learn into clear, engaging content that people can understand and act on. 
 
You will have experience of planning and delivering communications or campaigns, and a good sense of how to use different channels to reach the right people to spark conversation. Whether you are writing eye-catching content, crafting sharp messages or supporting a wider campaign, you’ll care about producing work that is clear, accurate and makes an impact. 
 
You will be organised and able to manage competing priorities, working with colleagues across services, project teams and senior leaders to keep things moving. You will also be comfortable building relationships, offering advice and working in a fast paced and sometimes sensitive environment. 
 
Most importantly, you will care about helping people feel informed, involved and ready for what is changing.   

Benefits of Working with Us  

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:  

• Generous annual leave entitlement  

• Local Government Pension Scheme  

• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)  

• Ongoing training and professional development  

• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support  

• Staff discounts and local offers  

• A supportive and inclusive working environment  

DBS Check: Not Required for this post

Important Dates  

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 9th July 2026  

Closing Date (Internal & External): 26th July 2026  

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed  

Additional Information  

If you would like an informal chat about the role before applying, please contact Martin John, Head of Communications at martin.john@thurrock.gov.uk to arrange a call.  

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:  

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough. 

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council 

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council

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*JOB OF THE WEEK* communications officer, oxford city council

Communications Officer

Oxford City Council

Grade and Salary: G7: £43,100 per annum full time (pro rata for part time)

Fixed Term up to 12 months for maternity cover

Hours: 37

Location - Hybrid - Oxford Town Hall and Work from home

This post is politically sensitive

Closing date: 26 July 2026

The Role

Oxford is a wonderful city, and the City Council is working hard every day to make it even better. We’re going further and faster than any city in the UK to tackle the climate emergency; we’re spending £9m annually to tackle homelessness; we’re building hundreds of new homes for Oxford’s families and young people; and we’re fighting health and social inequality with millions of pounds of investment in grass-roots community and leisure facilities.   

Whether it’s encouraging Oxford residents to take part in consultations, inspiring them to help tackle the climate emergency, or raising awareness for how the City Council’s work is making a difference, we believe communications is key to everything we do.

You will have exceptional written and visual storytelling skills and a creative flair and will be able to employ a range of traditional, social and digital communications methods.

But, most importantly, we’re looking for someone who wants to help us make a difference for the people and city of Oxford. 

For an informal discussion about the post please contact Lauren Edwards on 07889177450 or email ledwards@oxford.gov.uk  

About us

Our ambitious leadership team and dedicated staff are working hard building a world class city for everyone. Oxford City Council has accelerated plans to build more affordable and council housing in the city. We provide services to help reduce inequality and improve the health and wellbeing of Oxford’s residents and are taking a lead on reducing emissions and increasing biodiversity to become a net carbon neutral city of the future. 

We are a supportive and collaborative bunch of people working towards shared goals, where new ideas and initiatives are valued. We strive to deliver service excellence, take accountability for our actions and communicate with honestly and respect. There has never been a more exciting time to join us!  Help us to build successful places in which to live and work and build a fairer, greener city in which everyone can thrive. 

Many of our roles offer flexible or hybrid working. 

We offer generous holiday 28 days a year with an additional 4 days after 5 years’ service.

We are committed to supporting career development opportunities and learning and development.

An above average pension offering.

Plus other great benefits.

With over 700 staff dedicated to delivering the best service possible to our communities this is an exciting time to be working in Local Government. We focus on improving outcomes for local people and you might be surprised at the range and quality of the services we provide.

We offer a fantastic range of staff benefits that include generous holiday (from 28 days a year plus bank holidays), local government pension scheme, subsidised leisure membership, discounted travel and flexible working in many roles. We offer well-defined opportunities through our learning and development programme. We also have an employee wellbeing programme, an employee assistance programme and support via our dedicated occupational health service.

Role purpose

• Design and deliver campaigns to promote Oxford City Council as an effective and efficient council and provider of high quality, value for money services.

• Secure and monitor wide coverage of the council’s decisions, policies and activities in the local, national and specialist media.

• Identify, develop and deliver new and creative communication and engagement opportunities.

• Contribute and monitor the production and development of the council’s corporate publications.

Role responsibilities and main duties

To support the Communications Team and work in partnership across all service areas to ensure communication activities are planned, sustained and deliver the council’s key messages to external and internal audiences by: 

• Protecting and enhancing Oxford City Council’s reputation locally, regionally and nationally.

• Contributing to the development of the council’s external and internal communications strategy and plans.

• Developing and delivering a continuous programme of high quality, value for money publicity campaigns aligned to the council key priorities.

• Delivering an effective, efficient and proactive media relations and crisis communications service building successful partnerships with print and broadcast media.

• Playing a key role in contributing to and assisting in the production of the council’s corporate publications.

• Monitor and support continuous service improvement, challenge existing practice and actively seek innovative ways of improving performance and achieving efficiencies.

• Monitoring the council’s social media accounts, and interacting and updating as required, and monitoring press coverage both locally and nationally.

• Building strong relationships and work collaboratively with partners, including key internal and external stakeholders, to create and deliver joint communications campaigns.

• Advising officers and council members on all matters relating to communications, and acting as an ambassador for the communications service.

• Maintaining a good knowledge of UK current affairs and local government issues.

• Participating in any training deemed necessary to undertake the duties of the post and development of self in order to build capacity for future needs and delivery of service objectives.

• To work in a flexible manner and to be willing to undertake other duties as reasonably requested including outside of office hours.

• Participating in the adoption and promotion of the council equalities and carbon management initiative.

• Any other responsibilities that may be requested by the Communications Manager, Deputy Chief Executives or Chief Executive.

Who we are looking for

Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of demonstrating that they fulfil the following criteria that is listed to be ‘Assessed at: Application’ on their application form and should include clear examples of how they meet these criteria.

Each of the criteria below will be measured through, the application form, interview, test/exercise or documentation (eg a qualification document).

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