The Royal Society's mission is to recognise, promote and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science and scientific research for the benefit of humanity. To deliver this, the Society must engage effectively with decision makers. The Senior Public Affairs Manager works with the Head of Public Affairs and teams across the Society to deliver a programme of public affairs work to increase our influence on policy making.

They will work with the Head of Public Affairs to develop and implement strategies to effectively communicate the Society's priorities to decision-makers and shape the Society's engagement with key political events and discussions. This includes devising and delivering proactive public affairs programmes and liaising with policy colleagues from the outset of policy projects to amplify the Society's priority messages effectively, and ensure that the team is prepared to respond quickly to emerging issues.

Reports to: Head of Public Affairs

Line manages: Public Affairs Manager, Public Affairs Coordinator

Pay band: E

Salary: £50,000- £56,000 pa

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Carlton House Terrace, London

Hours: 35 hours per week, able to be flexible and work outside standard office hours as required

Closing date for applications: 9 November 2026

Interviews will be held: WC 23 November 2026

Key responsibilities and tasks

Support the Head of Public Affairs to implement the Society's public affairs strategy to ensure maximum exposure and influence for the value of scientific research and scientific evidence, to a broad range of policy makers and influencers.

Work with the Head of Public Affairs and Society teams to identify opportunities and devise and implement public affairs strategies to communicate the Society's priority messages to decision-makers.

Lead and deliver projects and long-term influencing programmes to take forward the Society's priorities, including tailored events and activities, establishing and maintaining networks, expanding the evidence base to ensure that the Society's advice is underpinned by robust qualitative and quantitative analysis, and producing materials for publication.

Support the Head of Public Affairs to respond to emerging opportunities to communicate the Society's established positions and key messages, including coordinating, drafting and editing consultation responses and tailored briefings where appropriate.

Work with the Head of Public Affairs to identify key political contacts, develop and implement activity to build and maintain relationships, represent the Society in meetings and correspondence where appropriate, and maintain an accurate database of engagement.

Work with the Head of Public Affairs and Director of Policy to advise the President and Officers of the Society, internal teams, committees and other fellows of the Society on public affairs aspects of their work.

Oversee the work of the Public Affairs Manager and the Public Affairs Coordinator.

Work with the Public Affairs team and other Society teams to coordinate tailored content to communicate the Society's activity with political decision-makers through the Society's public channels - including the Society's blog and social media.

Produce an annual report evaluating the quality and impact of the Society's public affairs activity.

Build personal contacts with Parliamentarians, government and other policy makers and opinion formers .

Carry out duties as directed by the Policy Director, Officers, Executive Director and other senior staff.

Essential

Key knowledge and skills required

Educated to degree standard or equivalent

At least three to five years' experience of working in policy, parliament or public affairs

A good understanding of the workings of the UK Parliament and government, including legislative process, select committees and Whitehall policymaking.

Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills, including experience of drafting briefings, select committee and consultation responses

A proven interest in science, innovation, technology and education policy issues and how they fit into the political and economic landscape

Politically astute

AEffective interaction with people at all levels of seniority and ability to liaise with colleagues and external contacts at the highest level

Experienced people manager

Desirable

Knowledge of the scientific research system and structuresGood qualitative and quantitative analysis skills

Experience working within a public affairs agency, charity, trade association, Parliament or the civil service

Track record of designing and running effective public affairs campaigns which achieve tangible policy change

Experience of convening sector policy forums

Competencies

Self-management

Identifies difficult situations

Recognises stress in others and takes steps to reduce it

Controls pressurised situations

Effectively enthuses those in the team

Proactively sets goals and targets for own work

Working With Others

Actively seeks ideas and criticisms from within the team

Resolves conflicts within and between teams

Embeds feedback processes within the team

Seeks out new networks that will create opportunity for the Society

Able to present complex issues simply

Uses discretion, tact and empathy when negotiating with and/or seeking to influence others

Understands the need to manage expectations and to only promise what is deliverable

Resource management

Determines strategy and deployment of resources, balancing cost and benefit; risk and potential for maximum impact across significant business areas

Manages complex cross-cutting projects to time, budget and specification

Ensures others accept responsibility towards results or quality

Sets the quality standards for own business areas in accordance with strategy and contributes to the formulation of quality standards across the Society

Sets and monitors priorities

Identifies and manages risk effectively

Critical thinking

Uses questioning, analytical and probing skills to 'dig deeper'

Knows when enough information has been obtained and adapts presentation of information to the needs of the audience

Evaluates the benefits, practicalities and value for money of ideas and obtains feedback

Makes sound decisions in a complex or ambiguous environment and is able to gain support and manage challenges confidently

Adaptability

Actively seeks the input and opinions of others, often outside his/her section and accommodates and incorporates this thinking into any output.

Actively seeks new challenges and projects; leads discussions surrounding new ideas, approaches and projects

Anticipates need for innovation and seeks new ideas, approaches and solutions

Managing people and relationships

Sets expectations of others and ensures they deliver

Demonstrates a positive attitude towards work, celebrating success and instilling confidence, which encourages the same from others

Encourages others to share ideas and participate in the discussion and decisions of the team

Assesses needs of clients/stakeholders/staff and makes plans to meet these needs

The Royal Society

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Senior Public Affairs Manager