Media and External Engagement Manager

For over a century, The King's Fund has worked to improve people's health and care. We tackle the thorniest questions facing our health and care system, and in turn society. We do this through our research, analysis and insight; leadership and organisational development with health and care leaders; convening and events; and partnering with others. With bold thinking for better health, we're on a mission to inspire hope and confidence that we can create a world where everyone lives a healthy life.

About the role

This is a pivotal role at the heart of our External Affairs function - ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of politics, policy and the media.

You will lead high stakes stakeholder engagement and public affairs activity, ensuring our expertise reaches decisionmakers and shapes debates in Westminster and Whitehall. You will work closely with senior colleagues and subject experts to identify opportunities to influence political processes, promote our work to key audiences and build and strengthen relationships with political and sector stakeholders.

Alongside this, you will bring deep experience in media relations - developing compelling narratives, spotting story opportunities, and ensuring our analysis lands with national journalists across print, broadcast and online platforms, as well as and responding rapidly to emerging policy developments through the media.

What you'll lead and deliver

High impact political and stakeholder engagement

You will be at the forefront of our efforts to influence the policy landscape by:

• Communicating The King's Fund's work directly to government, Parliament and senior figures in the health and care sector and beyond.
• Delivering strategies for parliamentary, political and stakeholder engagement that support our influencing objectives.
• Lead strategic engagement with political and Parliamentary stakeholders - including maintaining strong relationships with MPs, Peers and senior sector figures - while working collaboratively with colleagues across the External Affairs team who deliver detailed public affairs outputs such as Parliamentary committee briefings, debate notes and legislative analysis.
• Working closely with colleagues across the External Affairs team, our policy experts and CEO office to identify opportunities in political and policymaking processes to elevate the Fund's voice and shape legislation.
• Building and maintaining a powerful contact network across health and care, policymaking, and partner organisations.
• Supporting the planning and delivery of our presence at political party conferences, senior stakeholder events and high-level roundtables.

Sophisticated, strategic media relations

You'll bring exceptional news judgement and media handling skills to:

• Drive high quality proactive and reactive coverage in national broadcast, print and online media and target trade media.
• Craft sharp, clear and authoritative press releases, statements, comment pieces and articles.
• Build strong working relationships with journalists to maximise impact and visibility.
• Lead on media opportunities around fastmoving policy stories and public debates.

Strategic communications leadership

You will:

• Develop integrated campaigns and engagement plans that influence debate and create change.
• Closely monitor the political, media and policy landscape to inform organisational priorities.
• Produce high quality briefs for senior leaders ahead of political meetings, interviews and events.

About you

You will be a confident, politically astute communicator with:

• Direct experience working with journalists and managing media relations.
• Strong experience in stakeholder relations, public affairs, or parliamentary work.
• Deep understanding of UK media, politics, Parliament and policymaking processes.
• Exceptional writing skills and the ability to turn complex insights into compelling stories.
• Strong influencing skills and the ability to build trust at senior levels.
• A proactive, adaptable mindset - someone who seeks opportunities, not just responds to them.

Crucially, you'll share our values: putting people first, challenging the status quo and being courageous, objective and collaborative.

Why this role matters

Health and care is undergoing significant change - and The King's Fund is a respected, independent voice shaping what comes next. Your work will help ensure our insight reaches the people who can drive meaningful change.

If you want a role where your political awareness, stakeholder influence and media expertise truly make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

How to apply

To apply, please visit our website and read our supplementary guidance documents below, then download and fill in our application form. Please do not send CVs. If completing the application form presents any challenges, contact us by email so we can discuss options.

Please note that in order to apply, you must have existing documented proof of your right to live and work in the UK.

No agencies please.

Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 22 March. Late applications will not be considered.

First interviews will be held week commencing 13 April, but the panel can be flexible for a particularly strong candidate. The role is available to start as soon as possible thereafter.