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- Tasks: Lead strategic campaigning to transform nursing's future and tackle systemic issues.
- Company: Join RCN, a diverse organization dedicated to improving nursing and healthcare.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, up to 32 days annual leave, and comprehensive health programs.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in nursing advocacy while collaborating with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Strong background in health policy, campaign management, and team leadership required.
- Other info: Equity and inclusion are core values; we encourage diverse applicants.
The predicted salary is between 79200 - 89238 £ per year.
Head of Campaign Strategy
RCN HQ London, 35 hours per week, 12-month fixed term contract
Salary range per annum: £79,482 to £89,238* plus a London weighting of £5,094
Imagine being faced with a world of exciting possibilities that could ultimately enable you to support our members and help shape the health policies of the future. As the UK’s largest trade union and professional body for nursing, we support over half a million members with unwavering loyalty and total commitment. We represent and develop them, support their practice and lobby on their behalf to make a positive difference to their working lives.
We’re accredited with Investors in People Silver Standard . Our people are our greatest asset, and we want people who can contribute to our purpose in line with our values.
We’re looking for a dynamic Head of Campaign Strategy to lead our influencing work to transform the future of nursing. In this high-impact role, you’ll be responsible for setting the strategic direction of RCN campaigning, addressing the most pressing professional and trade union issues that affect our diverse and growing membership. This is your chance to shape public opinion, influence policy, and champion the voices of hundreds of thousands of nursing staff across the UK.
As the driving force behind our campaigning efforts, you’ll create a bold, long-term plan that identifies tactics to help tackle the systemic problems within the nursing profession. You’ll work across departments to unite communications, public affairs, activism, policy, nursing and employment relations colleagues under a common vision—one that aims to secure fair pay, improve safety-critical staffing levels, and end unacceptable working conditions.
In this leadership role, you’ll manage a small team of strategic campaign specialists, fostering collaboration and innovation. By steering the creative development of a new, overarching campaign brand, you’ll ensure our message reaches diverse audiences and builds strong alliances across political, public, and professional spheres.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in health policy, political influencing, and understand the nuances of the UK’s devolved governments. They should have proven experience in health care, professional membership organisations, or sectors like NGOs, trade unions, or government, with a track record of delivering successful campaigns and public engagement.
They need to be a creative strategist, capable of working with policy teams to drive impactful advocacy, and skilled in lobbying, public mobilisation, and campaign communications. Experience managing complex projects with large budgets, leading high-performing teams, and collaborating across departments is essential.
Applicants should be adept at using data and research to shape strategy, with strong interpersonal skills to build trust-based relationships. If you’re an experienced leader in strategic campaigning, with a deep understanding of how to drive political and policy change, this is your opportunity to lead a movement that will shape the future of nursing.
What we offer you
We expect you to look after our members and customers. And we expect you to be rewarded for it. We offer an impressive range of benefits, a broad range of learning development opportunities and an award-winning health and wellbeing programme. We offer annual leave up to 32 days plus bank holidays and three additional days for the Christmas break plus generous maternity, adoption, paternity, and shared parental leave packages.
*We offer a competitive pay structure with annual pay progression until you reach the top of the salary scale. We normally offer new employees the first point of the salary range, although you may be able to negotiate a higher starting salary depending on your skills, experience and current salary.
We are a diverse organisation and understand everyone has different needs and many of our employees enjoy flexible working enabling them to deliver results whilst having a good work life balance. Our hybrid working model allows for up to 60% of your working time to be carried out from home. At least 40% of your working time will be spent working in person.
Our selection process
Please click the ‘apply now’ button to submit a CV and answer the supporting questions online demonstrating how you meet the criteria for this role. You may not be shortlisted if you don’t. Please ensure your CV is in a simple format with minimal tables and sections. Any identifying information in your application will automatically be anonymised for shortlisting purposes.
We want your experience applying for a job with us to be the best it can be. We may hold our interviews and assessments in person or by video call. If you foresee any problems, please let us know.
Equal opportunities for everyone
Equity, diversity and inclusion are a priority for us and we aim to foster an inclusive environment so our people can bring their authentic selves to work. This is integral to our mission to enable you to support our members and ensure their voice is heard by all UK governments to get the best outcomes for them and their patients.
As a proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities.
Contact details
For more information or for an informal discussion about the role please contact Kimberley Scott, Associate Director of Communications, by email:
For more information about the recruitment and selection process please contact
Opening date: 02 December 2024.
Closing date: 11.59pm on 06 January 2025.
Selection dates:
Assessments: 22 January 2025.
Interview: 29 January 2025.
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Head of Campaign Strategy employer: Royal College of Nursing
Contact Detail:
Royal College of Nursing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Campaign Strategy
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the current issues in the nursing profession and the RCN's recent campaigns. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role and how you can contribute to their mission during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in health policy and campaign strategy. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with individuals who have insights into the RCN and its work, which can provide you with valuable information and potential referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading successful campaigns and managing teams. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your strategic thinking and ability to drive political change, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your interpersonal skills by preparing to discuss how you've built trust-based relationships in previous roles. This is crucial for collaboration across departments and will demonstrate your fit for the leadership aspect of this position.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Campaign Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in health policy, political influencing, and campaign management. Use clear examples that demonstrate your success in leading campaigns and managing teams.
Answer Supporting Questions Thoughtfully: When answering the supporting questions, provide specific examples of how you meet the criteria outlined in the job description. Focus on your strategic thinking, project management skills, and ability to collaborate across departments.
Keep It Simple: Ensure your CV is in a simple format with minimal tables and sections. This will make it easier for the hiring team to read and assess your qualifications quickly.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams and managing complex projects. Discuss how you've fostered collaboration and innovation in previous roles to drive successful outcomes.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal College of Nursing
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As a candidate for the Head of Campaign Strategy, it's crucial to articulate your strategic vision for campaigning. Prepare to discuss how you would address pressing issues in the nursing profession and outline your long-term plans for impactful advocacy.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Leadership
Highlight your experience in leading teams and collaborating across departments. Be ready to provide examples of how you've fostered innovation and teamwork in previous roles, especially in complex project management.
✨Utilize Data-Driven Insights
Prepare to discuss how you have used data and research to shape campaign strategies in the past. This role requires a strong analytical approach, so be ready to share specific instances where data informed your decision-making.
✨Engage with Health Policy Knowledge
Given the focus on health policy and political influencing, ensure you are well-versed in current issues affecting the nursing sector. Be prepared to discuss relevant policies and how they impact the work of the RCN and its members.
