RCS is the professional body for surgery. Our mission is to build the future of the surgical profession and improve the delivery of surgical care. We do this through education, training, examination, supporting surgical research and providing support and advice for surgeons at all stages of their careers. This role focuses on advising the College’s Faculty of Dental Surgery, an internationally recognised professional body, with a long history of supporting dental professionals both in the UK and internationally.
About the role
We are seeking an experienced policy and public affairs professional to advise the College’s Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS). You will use your skills to develop public policy positions for the FDS, and public affairs strategies for influencing government. Working closely with the FDS Board and Dean, your work will help raise the profile of the Faculty’s work. Excellent interpersonal skills are required to build strong professional relationships with senior dental surgeons, and externally, with key government officials and policy stakeholders.
The Faculty’s members are specialist dentists who treat complex dental problems including advanced tooth decay, gum disease and mouth cancer. Recent campaigns have centred on the poor state of children’s oral health and the challenge of accessing specialist dental services during the pandemic. This role provides an excellent opportunity to work directly with senior NHS and political figures to improve access to dental surgery for patients.
Responsibilities
- Developing and implementing the Faculty’s policy work. Drafting policy reports, consultation responses, position statements and briefings;
- Understanding the views and experiences of Faculty members, devising membership surveys and other research and engagement activities to engage members and ensure that policy positions are informed by insights;
- Providing advice, support and briefing to senior internal stakeholders including the Dean of the Faculty, Board members and senior management of the Faculty and College;
- Developing and implementing a best practice public affairs strategy for the Faculty;
- Supporting meetings with senior political and policy stakeholders, in line with best practice;
- Keeping abreast of relevant developments in health policy, analysing developments and updating colleagues on issues relevant to the role.
About You
- Experience in public affairs and good understanding of the workings of Parliament/Government and the NHS/health sector;
- Experience in policy development at a national level and good understanding of the policy development process;
- Experience in the production of draft reports and responses, including to Government and senior civil servants;
- Ability to analyse and summarise statistics and data, to identify interesting trends or developments that inform policy, with strong attention to detail;
- Persuasive and fluent writer;
- Ability to prioritise effectively and deliver work to tight deadlines;
- Ability to build collaborative professional relationships and good rapport with senior stakeholders, partners and colleagues;
- Political sensitivity to recognise the consequences of sensitive policy issues;
- Strong oral communication skills - able to explain the rationale behind advice and build wider support for initiatives.
What we can offer you
- 27 days paid holiday + bank holidays and up to 4 college closure days;
- Flexible working;
- Enhanced contributory pension scheme & other leave entitlements;
- Variety of learning and development opportunities;
- Wellbeing programme & Employee Assistance Scheme.