A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Head of Public Affairs & Communications in a Healthcare business. Ideally the post will be based in Glasgow but this will be dependent on the candidate.
You will:
- coordinate the businesses preparations for any possible outcome from a second Scottish referendum on independence;
- manage interactions with both the UK and Scottish Governments and related central health management bodies in relation to changes to the discount rate, including oversight of any legal action;
- work with the advisory heads in the organisation to influence the policy and practice of relevant healthcare regulatory bodies;
- ensure that the organisation has good understanding of relevant stakeholders, such as the BMA and BDA, and early warning of their strategic objectives and likely tactical interventions;
- develop knowledge of the organisation with Parliamentary audiences North and South of the border and to build a favourable environment for the reception of our key messages;
- continue to raise the profile of the organisation in the professional and mainstream media and also digitally and make the organisation a “go to” commentator, especially on primary care issues.
The ideal candidate will have had experience in a number, but probably not all, of the following areas:
- policy development within central government or a similar public body;
- public affairs consultancy with a significant lobbying and “thought leadership” activity;
- legal and/or regulatory analysis and representation;
- stakeholder relationship development and maintenance;
- strategic communication planning;
- press relationships in one or both of the professional or national settings.
Personal competences required include:
- creativity – the post will be breaking new ground in the organisation;
- ability to work at speed and under pressure as the environment is becoming significant more challenging both North and South of the border;
- strategic foresight and the ability to challenge effectively both within and outside the organisation;
- coordination and project management skills to develop and deliver both individual programmes of work, such as on the Scottish referendum, but also ongoing programmes of activity;
- significant personal presence and authority to carry credibility with the Board, top management and external stakeholders.