Head of Policy and Public Affairs

Family Fund Trust; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected charity is seeking a dynamic Head of Policy and Public Affairs to lead a new team and champion the needs of families raising disabled or seriously ill children. In this pivotal role, you will shape public discourse, influence policy, and secure meaningful change. Ideal candidates will have substantial public affairs expertise, proven leadership skills, and the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders. This role offers a permanent contract with hybrid working arrangements, and the chance to make a significant impact.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of the mechanics of influence across UK parliaments.
• Experience in producing compelling consultation responses and persuasive policy positions.
• Ability to forge and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team dedicated to supporting families raising disabled and seriously ill children.
• Devise and deliver plans to influence public discourse.
• Provide strong leadership in policy and public affairs.

Skills

Public affairs expertise

Leadership skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Job description

Ready to take the next step in your public affairs career? Family Fund is seeking to appoint a dynamic Head of Policy and Public Affairs to lead our new team and deliver a better future for families raising disabled or seriously ill children.

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: Home based with attendance at our York HQ at least once a month, or hybrid (depending on location)

Closing date: 16 January 2026

Interview date(s): w/c 19 January 2026

About the role

As part of wider changes to put greater emphasis on policy and public affairs, we are seeking a dynamic, experienced professional to lead a small team dedicated to making a better future for families raising disabled and seriously ill children.

The Head of Policy and Public Affairs is a new role at Family Fund, so you’ll have the chance to shape this expanding area of our work, and really make your mark advocating for a respected charity at a national level.

In this role, you’ll devise and deliver plans to amplify the voice of families with disabled children, influence public discourse and secure meaningful change. Responsible for a team of five direct reports, you’ll provide strong leadership in policy and public affairs and bring the knowledge and drive we need to put Family Fund at the centre of positive system change.

About you

You’re a seasoned public affairs professional with a deep understanding of the mechanics of influence across all four UK parliaments.

Strategic yet practical, you combine an ability to strategize and plan with first class hands-on skills. With your finger on the pulse of policy developments, you’re adept at spotting opportunities to take an agenda forward. As a practitioner, you excel at producing compelling consultation responses, persuasive policy positions and advocacy materials. As a communicator, you are confident and credible – able to forge and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders at any level.

This is a leadership role, so you’ll have run a campaign team before, or have some line management experience, together with a commitment to developing and supporting your team.

Whether your background’s in-house or agency, we don’t mind. What’s more important is your affinity with our aim to create a fairer society for families with disabled children, and your ability to make change happen.

How to apply

Recruitment for this post is being handled by our agency, Murray McIntosh. For information on the role and to apply, please contact [e-mail] Please do not apply direct to Family Fund as your application will not be considered.

The successful candidate must complete pre-employment checks including a basic level DBS criminal record check, right to work check and employment history verification.