You’ll lead our policy and public affairs and government relations programme in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, taking ownership of a range of policy issues and communicating them to a broad audience, ensuring that senior stakeholders are apprised of political and legislative trends that impact our priorities.

You’ll define and oversee the development and delivery of a proactive government relations and legislative strategy on key policy issues affecting the prevention, treatment and care, and research relating to heart and circulatory diseases. Maintaining dialogue with patient, clinical, political, and other stakeholders, you’ll work closely with these groups to develop high-level relationships that will enhance the BHF’s reputation amongst key decision makers.

Based at any of our devolved nations offices (Belfast, Cardiff or Edinburgh) you’ll form part of the senior management team of the BHF's Medical team, interacting regularly with the Head of Nations, the Medical Director and other Directors at the BHF's London offices.

With a deep understanding of the policy-making and political process in the UK with, ideally, excellent knowledge of the political systems in at least one of the devolved administrations, you’ll have some knowledge of the UK’s life sciences research environment, health policy, and the European and international landscape.

You’ll have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, able to present with credibility and gravitas to external audiences, and will be a proven leader, whilst also being a team player. You’ll have excellent writing skills, able to provide concise written and verbal briefings on complex issues, often at short notice, and will be able to work calmly, quickly and accurately under pressure of tight deadlines.

With experience of having run or managed successful policy and/or public affairs work at a senior level, ensuring expectations, responsibilities and the purpose and vision for the team are clear and delivered, you’ll have experience of leading internal and/or external stakeholder relations in a high profile and/or complex organisation as well as developing and implementing policy and/or public affairs strategies and plans.