At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer
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We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.
Are you passionate about making a real difference? Join Cancer Research UK as our Public Affairs Manager for Northern Ireland, where you’ll play a key role in ensuring beating cancer stays front and centre for decision-makers.
In this dynamic and high-impact role, you’ll work closely with MLAs, Department of Health officials, and influential stakeholders to champion our cause and drive meaningful change. You’ll be the voice behind the scenes, building relationships, shaping conversations, and helping to turn policy into progress.
What will I be doing?
1. Leading our public affairs activity across Northern Ireland and raising our profile with key political audiences
2. Building strong, lasting relationships with politicians, special advisers, and civil servants
3. Connecting across the charity to support our groundbreaking research, vital information work, and fundraising efforts
4. Collaborating with our policy experts to bring powerful, evidence-based recommendations to life
What skills will I need?
5. Significant experience in a public policy, public affairs or parliamentary role, with a proven track record of influencing senior decision‑makers and opinion‑formers.
6. In‑depth knowledge of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly, including legislative processes and political dynamics.
7. Strong understanding of political advocacy, lobbying standards and policy‑making environments.
8. Demonstrable experience developing and overseeing the delivery of public affairs strategies and operational plans.
9. Ability to assess political and policy trends and identify opportunities to enhance organisational influence.
10. Strategic mindset with the ability to translate policy priorities into effective influencing activity.
11. Highly developed influencing, negotiating and relationship‑building skills with parliamentarians, officials and senior internal and external stakeholders.
12. Ability to quickly establish credibility and productive relationships across political and sector networks.
13. Experience managing complex stakeholder environments and balancing multiple interests.
14. Confident representative of the organisation with strong judgement and professionalism.
15. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing high‑quality briefings, speeches and political communications.
16. Strong media engagement skills, including delivering interviews as part of an influencing strategy.
17. Exceptional attention to detail, including flawless spelling, grammar and presentation.
18. Effective and experienced people manager, able to work collaboratively within a job‑share arrangement.
19. Strong team‑working skills and the ability to support and contribute to wider public affairs and campaigns teams.
20. Calm, resilient and solution‑focused under pressure.
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.
Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively
We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.
Internal eligibility criteria
Internal candidates should ideally have completed their 6-month ‘getting started’ period before applying for other roles. You should also advise your current line manager at the point you make an internal application, or at the latest, at the point of being invited for an interview.
All internal candidates applying for a secondment, must have:
21. Completed their getting started period
22. Discussed their intention to apply and gained approval to apply with their line manager
23. Been in their substantive (home) role for at least 6 months (this is only applicable if you have previously been on secondment)
If you do not confirm that you meet these requirements, we will not be able to progress your application.
For information about internal learning and development at Cancer Research UK please visit Fuse.
What will I gain?
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.
You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.
Additional Information
For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us at .
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.
We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.