Public Affairs Manager

Are you passionate about making a real difference to people’s lives? ​

Do you thrive on delivering positive impact in a dynamic environment where your ideas and energy can push boundaries, shape policy and influence decision-making?

If so, we need your help! Samaritans is the UK and Ireland’s leading suicide prevention charity, and if you know of us, you’ll know we do so much more than listening to those who need us. We know that to make a real difference to those who are affected by suicide, we need to drive meaningful change in UK legislation and policy, funding and research. If your passionate about our cause and up for the challenge, read on about this exciting opportunity of Public Affairs Manager.

You’ll play a pivotal role in leading our efforts to drive meaningful change to help prevent suicide. 

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• Salary of £38,000-£40,000 per annum
• ​Permanent, full-time role (35 hours per week)
• ​Hybrid working: Linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office with home working and the option to work from our ​London office in EC3R
• ​In office working -  Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. Mandated in-person meetings will be in place from Jan ’25. This allows for training, in person collaboration, team building, line management and other relationship building opportunities. This is around 2 days per month.
• ​We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences

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The Team

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The Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns team of seven works alongside people with lived experience, our campaigners, supporters and volunteers to push for the public policy and legal changes that will help us achieve our vision. We work to achieve system change with the Westminster parliament, and influence every government department to play their part in suicide prevention, alongside our offices in the nations.

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Your Role

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​You'll lead our public affairs work focused on influencing decision-makers.​

Your key responsibilities include:

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• Lead the implementation of a clear parliamentary influencing strategy to achieve change on Samaritan’s key policy and campaign issues
• Identify, cultivate and maintain excellent relationships across the UK parliament and key political decision makers
• Identify, create, and evaluate opportunities and mechanisms to increase political engagement and persuade decision makers to take positive action on suicide prevention
• Provide timely and sophisticated analysis of political developments relating to Samaritans policy and campaign priorities, organisational mission and operating environment
• Support the work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Suicide and Self Harm Prevention
• Work across the charity to connect all of our relevant work to Parliamentary audiences, including support for Samaritans branches and volunteers on public affairs activities

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What You'll Bring:

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We're looking for a strategic thinker with a track record of successfully influencing for change. You'll have:

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• Great people skills with the ability to turn contacts into action
• Proven experience in influencing within the UK Parliament.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences effectively.
• A passion for involving people with lived experience in your public affairs work

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Full Job Description here

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What’s in it for you – our benefits 

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So, you want to work for us? Good choice. We like it here too. We offer competitive salaries, flexible and hybrid working to suit your needs, family-friendly policies, 28 days annual leave inclusive of wellbeing days and a matched pension contribution up to 5%. You’ll have a structured induction and ongoing projects, secondments & learning opportunities. We also have colleague-led affinity groups made up of people with shared identities. 

Your health and wellbeing is our priority. We have a staff community of Mental Health First Aiders, a Health Cash Plan and an Employee Assistance Programme. You’ll have free subscriptions to Headspace (your personal guide to mindfulness, sleep, focus, movement, and more) & Perkbox (an employee benefits platform with online exercise classes). That’s not all. We listen to your ideas and have staff forum and social committee networks.

Hybrid and flexible working  - We are a flexible organisation, and we embrace hybrid working – a mix of connecting in person and remotely. We’re aware that the world is changing, and we all want and need different things from our work and home lives. So, if you need to walk the dog, go to the gym, or have commitments outside of work, we’re open to talking through flexible working options that work for you and us. 

Being Inclusive  - We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from Disabled, BAME and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans. 

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Application 

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If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply.

You’ll be asked to upload your CV. No covering letter will be required but you'll be asked to answer a number of application questions including the following;

• Why do you want to work on suicide prevention and what do you think might be challenging about this topic?

• Tell us about a time when your influencing has successfully led to change on a public policy issue.

•  How do you ensure you prioritise your public affairs activity to ensure maximum impact within the staff and budget resources available?

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Applications close Sunday 20th October. Video interviews likely to be held in the week commencing 28th October.  

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If you're ready to lead impactful change and contribute to our mission that fewer people die by suicide, apply today.