Join RCOT as an UK Policy & Public Affairs Manager

Lead RCOT's engagement with parliamentarians, government officials, arm's length bodies and key stakeholders.

Lead RCOT's UK-wide public affairs and influencing work to strengthen the voice of occupational therapy

Location: London-based, hybrid working
Contract: Permanent full time (35 hours a week)
Salary:  circa £59k per annum
Closing date: 9am, Monday 2 November 2026

The RCOT’s Practice, Innovation and Advocacy Directorate exists to ensure occupational therapy has a strong, credible and influential voice in the UK and beyond. We're looking for an experienced policy and public affairs professional to lead our engagement with governments, parliaments, policymakers and system leaders, helping to strengthen RCOT's influence, raise the profile of occupational therapy and ensure the profession has a stronger voice in policy and public debate across the UK.

As UK Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will lead RCOT's engagement with parliamentarians, government officials, arm's length bodies and key stakeholders across the UK. Reporting to the Head of External Affairs, you will play a central role in shaping and delivering influencing strategies, coordinating advocacy activity, building strategic relationships and ensuring occupational therapy is recognised as a vital solution to contemporary health and social care challenges.

You will:

lead RCOT's engagement with governments, parliaments, arm's length bodies and key stakeholders across the UK, ensuring the voice and expertise of occupational therapy is represented in policy and decision-making.
develop and deliver public affairs, advocacy and influencing strategies that strengthen RCOT's profile, influence and impact with political and system stakeholders.
build and maintain strategic relationships with parliamentarians, policymakers, government officials, health and social care leaders and key partners.
identify and secure opportunities to influence legislation, policy, professional standards, guidance and decision-making that affects occupational therapy and the people it supports.
provide strategic political and policy intelligence to senior leaders, helping RCOT anticipate and respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.
lead the development of consultation responses, policy briefings, parliamentary activity and influencing materials that support RCOT's advocacy priorities.
work with members to build advocacy skills and mobilise support for RCOT's influencing priorities, supporting them to represent occupational therapy effectively with political, policy and system decision-makers.
line manage and support a team of Policy and Public Affairs Leads across the UK, ensuring a coordinated and impactful approach to advocacy and influencing.
work closely with colleagues across campaigns, communications, media, social media and professional practice to ensure consistent, coordinated and effective external engagement.
translate occupational therapy evidence, member insights and lived experience into compelling influencing materials, helping demonstrate the impact of occupational therapy and strengthen the profession's voice with decision-makers.

You bring:

significant experience in policy, public affairs, government relations or advocacy roles.
a strong understanding of UK political systems, health and social care policy, and how legislation, policy and decision-making are shaped and influenced.
experience developing and delivering successful public affairs, advocacy or influencing strategies.
a track record of building and maintaining effective relationships with senior stakeholders, policymakers, decision-makers and external partners.
experience leading policy development, consultation responses, parliamentary engagement and stakeholder communications.
strong political awareness and the ability to analyse complex information, providing strategic insight and advice to support decision-making.
excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience producing briefings, reports, consultation responses and presentations for a range of audiences.
experience managing projects, balancing competing priorities and delivering measurable outcomes.
experience leading, managing and developing people, alongside working effectively through networks, coalitions and partnerships.
strong organisational, analytical and relationship-building skills, with the ability to translate evidence and insight into clear influencing messages.
a proactive, collaborative and solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to innovate, identify new opportunities and maximise influence.
experience using evidence, data and stakeholder insight to inform policy development and advocacy activity.
an enthusiasm for supporting and mobilising members and stakeholders to champion the profession and influence change.

Why this role?

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the next phase of RCOT's advocacy and public affairs work. As we invest in strengthening our influence and raising the profile of occupational therapy, you will play a leading role in ensuring the profession has a stronger voice in policy, practice and public debate across the UK.

Leading a UK-wide team and working with senior leaders, members and key stakeholders, you'll drive high-impact influencing activity, build strategic relationships and help position occupational therapy as a vital part of the solution to the health and social care challenges facing the UK.

You'll join an ambitious, collaborative and supportive team with genuine scope to shape our approach, bring forward new ideas and make a lasting impact on the profession's future.

Location: London-based, hybrid working

Contract: Permanent full time (35 hours a week)

Salary: circa £59k per annum

If you’re interested in this role, please download the full UK Policy and Public Affairs Manager Role Profile (PDF, 208KB).

Ready to apply? Follow the link below and remember to attach your CV and cover letter in the ‘Statement of Suitability’ section.

UK Policy and Public Affairs Manager Application form

Closing date: 9am, Monday 2 November 2026

First Interviews: 4 and 5 November 2026

If you have any questions, get in touch with us at [email protected]

Full details of this vacancy can be found on our website: www.rcot.co.uk/current-vacancies