Senior Health Policy and Engagement Manager
| Posting date: | 13 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £54,931 to £64,644 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 20 February 2026 |
| Location: | WC1H 9BT |
| Company: | University College London |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | A01-00083_1770975194 |
Summary
About us
University College London is London's Global University. We are a world-leading multidisciplinary institution committed to addressing complex global challenges through excellence in research, education and partnership, with health at the heart of this mission.
The Health Partnerships Team sits within the Vice-Provost (Health) Office and leads on UCL's strategic priorities in health. The team works across UCL and with external partners including the NHS, government, industry and global organisations to strengthen UCL's influence on health policy, support collaboration and partnerships, and maximise the real-world impact of our health research, education and innovation. As UCL prepares to launch its new Health Strategy in 2026, the team is central to shaping how UCL engages with the health system and communicates its contribution to society.
About the role
The Senior Health Policy and Engagement Manager will play a key role in developing and delivering a strategic engagement and communications programme for the Vice-Provost (Health) Office. The post is focused on raising the visibility of UCL's health portfolio, strengthening UCL's influence on health policy, supporting the development of new strategic partnerships and helping to attract external investment.
Working closely with senior academic leaders and colleagues across UCL, the role contributes to articulating a compelling vision for UCL's contribution to health and communicating the impact of this work to a wide range of audiences. A significant early priority is leading the communications and engagement campaign for the launch of UCL's new Health Strategy in 2026. The wider remit includes developing high-quality communications content, managing digital presence, organising and hosting networking events, convening and supporting policy and engagement networks, and producing clear, evidence-based briefings for senior leaders.
Supporting UCL's health policy research community forms an important part of the role. This includes establishing and nurturing a health policy networking forum to maximise influence and impact. Close collaboration with colleagues across UCL, including other Vice-Provost Offices and specialist teams, underpins the role, alongside confident engagement with external partners across the health and life sciences sectors.
About you
This role is suited to someone with significant experience in health policy, communications, public affairs or external engagement, alongside a strong understanding of the NHS and the wider life sciences landscape. Experience of operating at a strategic level and delivering effective communications or engagement strategies that influence senior stakeholders is essential.
Strong written, oral and digital communication skills are required, together with the ability to synthesise complex evidence into clear and compelling messages for diverse audiences, including policymakers, healthcare professionals and academic leaders. A collaborative approach and the ability to build and sustain strong professional relationships are central to success, particularly when working across organisational boundaries and navigating differing perspectives.
The successful candidate brings a proactive and adaptable mindset, with the confidence to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities. Motivation to help shape the future of health research, education and innovation, and to contribute meaningfully to advancing UCL's health mission, will be key.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
* 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
* Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
* Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
* Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
* Immigration loan
* Relocation scheme for certain posts
* On-Site nursery
* On-site gym
* Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
* Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
* Discounted medical insurance
Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent.We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.