Senior Media and External Engagement Manager

Salary:
£61,959 - £73,978 per annum

Contract type:
Permanent, full time (35 hours per week with some flexible working options available including flexible working options, including less than full time with a minimum of 0.8 FTE). Please note that some out-of-hours working may be required for which time off in lieu will be granted.

Accountable to:

Location:
central London/hybrid (see below)

Closing date:
6 January 2026

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to lead The King's Fund's media, stakeholder and political engagement work at a time of significant challenge and change in health and care.

As Senior Media and External Engagement Manager, you will head up a small but high-performing team responsible for shaping the Fund's external profile, driving our media presence and building influential relationships across the health and care sector, government and Parliament. You'll work closely with senior colleagues and subject experts to identify opportunities to influence public debate, respond to fast-moving policy developments, and amplify the impact of our research, analysis and commentary.

The role sits at the heart of our External Affairs team, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to national conversations on health and care – and to represent an organisation widely recognised as an authoritative and independent voice.

Some out-of-hours work, travel and occasional overnight stays may be required.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and develop The King's Fund's media and external engagement function, ensuring high-quality, high-impact proactive and reactive media coverage.
• Build strong relationships with journalists, and support the organisation's relationships with senior stakeholders, politicians and Parliamentarians, acting as a trusted adviser to senior leaders within the Fund.
• Shape and oversee delivery of our media strategy and key communications plans for major policy, research and thought-leadership outputs.
• Provide expert advice on how the Fund should respond to emerging policy and political developments.
• Oversee delivery of political party conference activity and senior stakeholder engagement events.
• Support the design and execution of parliamentary and stakeholder engagement strategies to help achieve our influencing aims.
• Manage, support and develop a talented team while overseeing budgets and work programmes.
• Promote inclusive practice and ensure diverse voices are represented in our work.

Why join us?

You will play a key leadership role within a respected and influential organisation, shaping national debate and helping ensure our work makes a difference to people's lives through our vision that everyone can live a healthy life. We offer a supportive, collaborative and flexible working environment, generous benefits and a strong focus on learning and development.

Here at the Fund, we actively encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBT+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge as we recognise that diversity makes us stronger.

The Fund is committed to a hybrid working model that meets the organisation's needs, while giving staff flexibility to choose between office and home working. Staff are expected to work a minimum of 40% from our central London office and are free to work more days from the office if they prefer.

In addition to a competitive salary, The King's Fund offers generous holiday entitlements, a £3 daily discount in our café and an on-site gym.

How to apply

To apply, please read our supplementary guidance documents, then download and fill in our application form. If completing the application form presents any challenges, contact us by email ) so we can discussion 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.