External Affairs Manager (11193)

External Affairs Manager (11193)

Full-Time 53000 - 59000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Macmillan Cancer Support

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead external affairs to drive change for people living with cancer in Northern Ireland.
  • Company: Join Macmillan, a passionate team dedicated to supporting those affected by cancer.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with significant impact and collaboration across various sectors.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of cancer patients while shaping health policy.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in external affairs and strong stakeholder engagement skills.

The predicted salary is between 53000 - 59000 £ per year.

Contract type: Permanent

Full time: 34.5 hours. We are open to a conversation about how you work these hours.

Location: Mobile worker in Northern Ireland - regular travel to external meetings and events required but not in-office attendance.

Salary Range: £53,000 - £59,000

About us

At Macmillan you'll find talented people working together to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. We're going all out to find even better ways to help even more people who need our support. Our values are at the heart of who we are and everything we do, inspiring our thinking and guiding our actions.

About the role

Are you a senior, experienced external affairs professional, keen to make a difference to the lives of people with cancer? Then this challenging but highly rewarding role could be your opportunity to lead Macmillan’s external affairs and influencing work in Northern Ireland. Working as part of the External Affairs UK leadership team, you will lead activity to deliver national system change for people living with cancer in Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on the development and implementation of the Neighbourhood Model and wider health and care reform.

You will act as a senior external representative for Macmillan in Northern Ireland, ensuring the organisation is a trusted and influential partner with NI Assembly, Health and Social Care leaders, elected representatives, charities, clinicians and wider stakeholders. In conjunction with key stakeholders, you will lead matrix teams across influencing, services, partnerships, communications and engagement to develop and deliver strategies that improve outcomes and experiences for people living with cancer.

You will play a key role in shaping proactive and reactive external affairs activity, identifying opportunities to influence policy, public debate and system leadership conversations. The role will require strong strategic leadership, the ability to navigate complex devolved political and health systems, and a collaborative approach to delivering impact through partnership and influence.

About you

  • Significant experience in a senior external affairs, public affairs, policy or influencing role.
  • Demonstrable experience of leading proactive and reactive external affairs activity.
  • Experience in developing and delivering successful influencing strategies that have contributed to system change.
  • Strong understanding of the Northern Ireland political, policy and health landscape, including devolution and health and social care structures.
  • Outstanding relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Skilled communicator with experience representing an organisation effectively with senior external stakeholders and influential audiences.
  • Experience of working collaboratively across matrix teams and with internal and external partners.
  • Ability to motivate, support and develop people and teams.
  • Strong strategic thinking, judgement and organisational awareness.
  • Experience acting as a media spokesperson is desirable.
  • A strong commitment to improving the lives of people living with cancer and reducing inequity in access, experience and outcomes.

External Affairs Manager (11193) employer: Macmillan Cancer Support

At Macmillan, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by cancer. Our flexible working arrangements and commitment to employee well-being foster a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. With ample opportunities for professional growth and development, particularly in the dynamic landscape of Northern Ireland, joining our team means becoming part of a passionate community striving for positive change.

Macmillan Cancer Support

Contact Details:

Macmillan Cancer Support Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land External Affairs Manager (11193)

Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.

Show Up and Shine

When you get the chance to meet potential employers or stakeholders, make sure you’re prepared to showcase your skills and passion. Bring your A-game to those meetings and events, and let your enthusiasm for making a difference shine through. We believe that genuine connections can lead to amazing opportunities!

Follow Up Like a Boss

After meeting someone or having an interview, don’t forget to follow up! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We recommend mentioning something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and interested.

Apply Through Our Website

If you’re keen on joining us at Macmillan, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to connect directly with us!

We think you need these skills to ace External Affairs Manager (11193)

External Affairs
Public Affairs
Policy Development
Influencing Strategies
Stakeholder Engagement
Relationship Management
Strategic Leadership

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the External Affairs Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in external affairs, public policy, and stakeholder engagement, showing us how you can make a difference at Macmillan.

Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see your impact! Use specific examples of successful influencing strategies you've developed and how they contributed to system change, especially in the context of Northern Ireland.

Be Authentic:Let your passion for improving the lives of people living with cancer shine through. We’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference, so share your motivations and commitment in your application.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates about the recruitment process!

How to prepare for a job interview at Macmillan Cancer Support

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you’re well-versed in the Northern Ireland political and health landscape. Brush up on recent policies, key stakeholders, and any current events related to cancer care. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also genuinely invested in making a difference.

Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you’ve successfully led external affairs activities or influenced policy changes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easy for the interviewers to see your impact.

Build Rapport

Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder engagement, practice building rapport during the interview. Be personable and approachable, and don’t hesitate to share your passion for improving lives. This will help demonstrate your relationship management skills right from the start.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about Macmillan’s current initiatives and future goals in Northern Ireland. This not only shows your interest in the organisation but also gives you a chance to assess if their values align with yours. Plus, it keeps the conversation flowing!