30 days holiday
Occupational health
Flexi time

Policy and Communications Manager

Salary £45,239 per annum plus £4,000 London weighting if applicable
Location Agile working with Leeds/London base and occasional travel to London or Leeds offices
Expiry Date 08/07/2025 23:59
Mergefield Title {Mergefield Value}

This is a Permanent, Full Time vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.

About UPD

UPD is an independent initiative, hosted by the NHS Confederation. Since it was established in 2016, UPD has built a solid reputation as a trusted source of advice and objective, engaging research and information about the use of patient data in the UK. We’re widely respected across government, research and civil society — and we’re ambitious about the impact we can make in the years ahead.

More information about Understanding Patient Data can be found here: https://understandingpatientdata.org.uk/about-us

About the role

As a Policy and Communications Manager you will join a small, ambitious team tackling health data policy, trust, and public engagement and:

  • Shape public debate, influence national policy, and lead UPD’s external voice.
  • Lead communications, support influencing work, and shape strategy.
  • Monitor policy and programme developments across the health data landscape
  • Craft timely briefings, consultation responses and public positions
  • Translate complex policy issues into accessible, engaging content for a variety of audiences — from the public to Parliament
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders in government, civil society, academia and the NHS
  • Plan, deliver and evaluate communications across UPD’s channels that increase our reach and influence.

About you

We’re looking for a strategic and collaborative leader who:

  • Has experience in public policy or influencing, ideally in health, data, or digital fields.
  • Has demonstrable written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences
  • Understands how policy change happens and is politically astute
  • Can work independently and effectively manage their time and multiple priorities.
  • Confidently manages projects, relationships, and digital content.
  • Is passionate about public engagement, trust, and ethics in technology.

We are a small, flexible team with big ambitions. You’ll have space to shape the role, develop your interests and make a real impact. If you’re excited by the chance to shape national conversations on how health data is used and feel you have most of what we’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply

Please download the job description found at the end of this page and click apply to complete the application form. Please note we do not accept CVs.

For an informal discussion about the post, Understanding Patient Data, and the NHS Confederation before applying please contact anna.steere@understandingpatientdata.org.uk

Application deadline: 8th July 2025 (midnight)

Interview date: 15th - 21st July 2025 (TBC)

The NHS Confederation is the membership organisation that brings together, supports and speaks for the whole healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The NHS Confederation is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive environment for our staff. A place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We offer a range of inclusive employment policies including family friendly policies and flexible working and we have range of channels to support staff from different backgrounds including our staff networks and a staff forum.

The NHS Confederation is committed to being a flexible employer. We understand the value and benefit to our employees being able to work flexibly and our agile working principles are designed to empower our people to work with optimal flexibility and minimal constraints to support a work life balance and take care of employee health and wellbeing.

You will receive an excellent benefits package, including 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), pension scheme, cycle to work scheme, salary sacrifice schemes and travel season ticket loans.

Employee assistant (counselling)

Cycle to work scheme

Mindful employer plus

Occupational health

30 days holiday

Flexi time

Season ticket loan

Eye tests/ flu jabs

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