Now that the dust has settled after the election, we are looking for someone to join our College’s external affairs team and help us convince the new government that mental health must remain top of the political agenda.

The College has had some stunning successes around weaving media hits and behind-the-scenes public affairs influencing work together – a big story in The Observer on mental health care in prisons led to us being invited to give evidence at a Parliamentary inquiry by the then Prisons Minister, for example – and in your role you will have the opportunity to contribute to both.

Splitting your time between media work and lobbying, you will be adept at drafting pithy, on-message responses to media enquiries as well as coming up with ideas of your own for press releases.

You will be comfortable lobbying MPs and peers for help in driving forwards much-needed improvements to mental health services and have the social skills to charm and cajole alike.

A natural when it comes to social media, you will be able to turn your hand to twitter and other forms of digital communication, striking the right balance between reflecting the College’s stance on any one of a number of crucial mental health issues and getting the tone right.

Underpinning all this will be your embodiment of the College’s values – Courage, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, Learning and Excellence.

Experience in working in media relations or public affairs is a must, as is a keen interest in mental health care. An understanding of the workings of a Medical Royal College is an advantage.

The chosen candidates will be well supported with training and given the chance to learn from experienced and dedicated communications professionals.

For an information pack, please e-mail: hr@rcpsych.ac.uk or download from the College website: www.rcpsych.ac.uk.