THE KINGS FUND

For over a century, The King's Fund has worked to improve people's health and care. We tackle the thorniest questions facing our health and care system, and in turn society. We do this through our research, analysis and insight; leadership and organisational development with health and care leaders; convening and events; and partnering with others. With bold thinking for better health, we're on a mission to inspire hope and confidence that we can create a world where everyone lives a healthy life. About the role This is an exciting opportunity to lead The King's Fund's media, stakeholder and political engagement work at a time of significant challenge and change in health and care. As Senior Media and External Engagement Manager, you will head up a small but high-performing team responsible for shaping the Fund's external profile, driving our media presence and building influential relationships across the health and care sector, government and Parliament. You'll work closely with senior colleagues and subject experts to identify opportunities to influence public debate, respond to fast-moving policy developments, and amplify the impact of our research, analysis and commentary. The role sits at the heart of our External Affairs team, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to national conversations on health and care - and to represent an organisation widely recognised as an authoritative and independent voice. Some out-of-hours work, travel and occasional overnight stays may be required. What you'll do In this role, you will: Lead and develop The King's Fund's media and external engagement function, ensuring high-quality, high-impact proactive and reactive media coverage. Build strong relationships with journalists, and support the organisation's relationships with senior stakeholders, politicians and Parliamentarians, acting as a trusted adviser to senior leaders within the Fund. Shape and oversee delivery of our media strategy and key communications plans for major policy, research and thought-leadership outputs. Provide expert advice on how the Fund should respond to emerging policy and political developments. Oversee delivery of political party conference activity and senior stakeholder engagement events. Support the design and execution of parliamentary and stakeholder engagement strategies to help achieve our influencing aims. Manage, support and develop a talented team while overseeing budgets and work programmes. Promote inclusive practice and ensure diverse voices are represented in our work. About you We're looking for someone who brings: Significant experience in senior media relations, with a strong track record of shaping national media coverage and working directly with journalists. Experience of stakeholder relations, public affairs and parliamentary engagement, ideally within a public policy, health and care, or related context. Outstanding writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into compelling, accessible messages. Excellent judgement, especially in politically sensitive or fast-paced situations. Strong relationship-building skills and the confidence to engage senior internal and external stakeholders. Experience leading and developing people, and managing competing priorities under pressure. A commitment to The King's Fund's values and to fostering an inclusive and respectful culture. You will play a key leadership role within a respected and influential organisation, shaping national debate and helping ensure our work makes a difference to people's lives through our vision that everyone can live a healthy life. We offer a supportive, collaborative and flexible working environment, generous benefits and a strong focus on learning and development. The Fund has an ambition to increase the diversity of our workforce and introduce careers in health and care policy to a broader range of people. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community, including those from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We believe that diversity of background and experience contributes to a broader collective perspective that will improve the way we influence health and social care policy. To apply , please visit our website and read our supplementary guidance documents, then download and fill in our application form. Please do not send CVs. If completing the application form presents any challenges, contact us by email () so we can discussion options. Please note that in order to apply, you must have existing documented proof of your right to live and work in the UK. No agencies please. The deadline for receipt of applications is Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 6 January 2026 at 9am. Late applications will not be considered. We regret that we cannot respond individually to all applicants due to the high number of applications we receive. If you have not been contacted within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted for interview. First interviews will be held week commencing 12 January, but the panel can be flexible for a particularly strong candidate. Second interviews are scheduled for 22 January. The role is available to start as soon as possible thereafter.

Researcher Salary : £39,768 - £47,479 per annum (salary range will increase in January) Contract : Fixed term for 24 months, 35 hours per week (would consider flexible working options and less than full time hours with minimum of 30 per week) Location: Central London/Hybrid (see below) Help us to shape health and social care policy and practice This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly respected and innovative organisation at the forefront of health and social care policy debate. About the role We are looking for an experienced Researcher to work across a range of projects but primarily on an exciting new multi-year partnership, exploring how innovation can be harnessed to support a step change in shifting the focus of the health and care system towards delivery care closer to where people live. Over the next two years we will examine different types of innovation - including innovations in treatment, in diagnostics and/or monitoring, and innovative care delivery models. We will be looking not just at the innovations themselves but also exploring the implementation challenges and system changes that might be required to realise their potential by working with several learning sites in local health and care systems. You will be using a range of analytical and research methods, project management and fieldwork, working closely with external partners and effectively managing links with both research sites and research partners. This role requires excellent writing and analysis skills and experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. A demonstrable interest and activity in implementation of transformation or innovation in health and care settings would be an advantage. The Fund has an ambition to increase the diversity of our workforce and introduce careers in health and care policy to a broader range of people. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community, including those from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBT+ community. We believe that diversity of background and experience contributes to a broader collective perspective that will improve the way we influence health and social care policy. The Fund is committed to a hybrid working model that meets the organisation's needs, while giving staff flexibility to choose between office and home working. Most staff are expected to work a minimum of 40% from our central London office and are free to work more days from the office if they prefer. We are in the process of developing our long-term policy on this, although the expected minimum time in the office will remain 40% (pro rata). In addition to a competitive salary, The King's Fund offers generous holiday entitlements, a £3 daily discount in our café and an on-site gym. For further information and an application form, please visit our website via the button below. Applications must be submitted using The King's Fund application form. To apply, please visit our website and read our supplementary guidance documents, then download and fill in our application form. Please do not send CVs. If completing the application form presents any challenges, contact us by email () so we can discussion options. Please note that in order to apply, you must have existing documented proof of your right to live and work in the UK. No agencies please. Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 4 January at 23.59. Late applications will not be considered. We regret that we cannot respond individually to all applicants due to the high number of applications we receive. If you have not been contacted within 3 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted for interview. Please note that we are unable to offer feedback to applicants who are not shortlisted for interview. Interviews will be held on 15 January 2026. Please tell us when applying if this date would not be possible. Role available to commence immediately.