Faculty of Public Health
Of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom
Working to improve the public’s health
Director of Policy and Communications – UK Faculty of Public Health
Introduction to the role/draft advert
Do you want to influence the health of a generation?
The UK Faculty of Public Health speaks on behalf of our members on a wide range of
public health topics: from tobacco to transport, children’s health to climate change, violence
to viruses.Health is never far from the top of the political establishment’s agenda - and FPH
speaks to the evidence in advocating “better health for all”.
We are now seeking an experienced individual to join our successful team and build on
FPH’s strong reputation to deliver our ambitious five-year strategy and influence
government policy.
The successful candidate will have a proven and successful track record of policy influence
at the highest level; experience of partnership working and network development; as well as
strategic marketing and communications expertise.
FPH has a small staff team and growing membership body who are active participants in
developing and delivering our external policy agenda.
FPH has developed a strong and clear health policy manifesto which acts as the focus for
our proactive work – however, we maintain an active role in current and emerging health
issues. We also recognise the inter-relationships of public health and other agencies and are
keen to collaborate and support mutual agenda. We have an ambitious membership
engagement and growth agenda and your marketing and communications expertise will
provide leadership for this work.
This role represents an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to make a
significant impact to improve the public’s health at a time of significant change and
challenge.
Job Description
Job Title:
Director of Policy and Communications
Contract:
Permanent
Hours:
35 per week
Salary:
Grade 4; (£50k - £55K)
Reports to:
Chief Executive
Purpose of Job:
To lead FPH external engagement in matters of public health policy; to lead communication
and marketing activity with the public, members and stakeholders.
Impact:
To successfully influence public health policy at a national and UK level; to effectively
engage and inform members and stakeholders in our work in support of FPH strategy,
vision, mission and charitable objects.
4 St Andrews Place  London  NW1 4LB 
Website: www.fph.org.uk  Registered Charity No: 263894
Faculty of Public Health
Of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom
Working to improve the public’s health
Main accountabilities:
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Lead and implement FPH strategy in policy, public affairs, communications
Lead on policy, public affairs and parliamentary engagement
Undertake strategic analysis to inform and advise FPH policy development
Advocate FPH policy and successfully influence partners, senior civil servants and
stakeholders
Represent FPH externally in the media and other settings and co-ordinate such
representation amongst our membership
Manage FPH communications and PR activity – including digital media - to increase and
improve reach and effectiveness and increase member engagement in FPH business.
Manage FPH publications suite – including our Academic Journal and membership
magazine
Develop and implement clear marketing plans to support organisational targets
Develop, manage and monitor business plans and budgets in own area to achieve agreed
objectives
Lead and manage a team of staff to deliver against plans, innovate and provide excellent
customer service
Ensure compliance with internal and external policies, procedures and legislation including
health and safety, equality and diversity, personnel, finance, administration and regulatory
frameworks.
Continuously seek to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the organisation, by
innovating, using resources effectively and identifying and mitigating risk.
Deputise for Chief Executive as required
Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post
Person Specification:
Skills
Essential
Ability to develop and implement strategy in relation to policy, communications and
marketing.
Ability to lead on policy development, campaigning and political engagement
Ability to present and argue persuasively and influence the decisions of others.
Ability to schedule and prioritise plans and budgets using appropriate performance
measures to improve performance and manage change.
Ability to motivate and empower others through objective setting, coaching, appraisal and
review
Ability to synthesise and communicate complex information clearly, in writing and in oral
presentations, to a range of audiences
Ability to address complex problems and generate innovative solutions
Demonstrable political awareness at UK and international levels
Ability to understand and demonstrate commitment to FPH’s Values, Ethical Policies and
Equal Opportunities Policy and to ensure all activities are carried out consistently within
this framework.
4 St Andrews Place  London  NW1 4LB 
Website: www.fph.org.uk  Registered Charity No: 263894
Faculty of Public Health
Of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom
Working to improve the public’s health
Demonstrable enthusiasm and commitment ensuring delivery of objectives. Able to remain
calm and in control when challenged or in the face of setbacks
Ability to demonstrate tolerance and diplomacy in dealing with different needs and
viewpoints
Ability to make effective use of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel) and
social media.
Experience
Essential
Substantial experience of successful policy development and political influence at a senior
level on a national basis
Experience of building and maintaining effective alliances and partnerships to bring about
policy change.
Relevant experience of making high-level, systematic and rational decisions through
evaluating information in a logical manner.
Experience of managing staff, volunteers and partners to deliver agreed outcomes.
Experience of successfully applying marketing principles to service planning and delivery
Evidence of personal and professional integrity, transparency and fairness
Desirable
Experience of working in a membership organisation
Experience of working with trustees
Experience of operating in the health and social care sector
Experience of policy leadership in “public health” – related area.
Experience of operating in a charity/voluntary sector
Specialist Knowledge
Essential
Good academic graduate-level qualification or equivalent standard of demonstrable
knowledge in related discipline.
Understanding of political, legislative and regulatory processes and mechanisms at UK
level.
Understanding of the UK health and social care sector
Understanding of the influences on public health and health inequalities
Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
Post-graduate qualification or equivalent standard of demonstrable knowledge in related
discipline.
Understanding of EU and international policy influence mechanisms
Membership of relevant professional body
4 St Andrews Place  London  NW1 4LB 
Website: www.fph.org.uk  Registered Charity No: 263894
Faculty of Public Health
Of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom
Working to improve the public’s health
Advanced Performance
Demonstrates sustained and significant successful policy influence across a range of areas
Achieves sustained successful performance against business plan milestones, targets, KPIs
Recognised as an expert in specific aspects of policy
Recognised as an effective leader amongst stakeholders and partners
Influential beyond own areas of core work
Role Profile
Staff: Up to seven FTE posts: policy, marketing, public relations, website and publications
roles.
Budget: circa £500k including staff costs.
Service areas: responsible for supplier contracts to support delivery of all communications
and marketing activity; responsible for Academic Journal; member magazine; electronic
communications; social media. Contract value: circa £300k
Internal Key Contacts: Chief Executive, Senior Management Team, President, VicePresident (Policy), Chairs of relevant committees, Chairs of Special Interest Groups,
Trustees.
External Key Contacts: UK Public Health Network (umbrella); Academy of Medical
Royal Colleges; statutory Public Health and NHS bodies across UK; Department of Health;
LGA; various public health consortia and networks.
Focus Areas: (anticipated time allocation %)
Service Delivery: (35%)
Development, co-ordination and production of policy positions and implementation of
change.
Oversight of production of journals, magazines, e-communications to members, public,
stakeholders
People: (25%)
Leadership of team including all line management duties.
Partnership and network development
Member engagement
Problem Solving: (10%)
Understanding complexity of policy context; designing, advocating and delivering
appropriate policy recommendations.
Understanding of partners and stakeholders agenda and operating context.
4 St Andrews Place  London  NW1 4LB 
Website: www.fph.org.uk  Registered Charity No: 263894
Faculty of Public Health
Of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom
Working to improve the public’s health
Planning/Organising: (10%)
Strategy development: policy; communications; marketing.
Business planning for departmental objectives and targets over short, medium and longer
term
Project development, design and delivery
Communication: (20%)
Develop and deliver communications strategy, maximising links between communication
channels
Promotion and management of FPH brand to different audiences
Develop and deliver marketing strategy to increase profile and awareness of FPH
Proactive and reactive media engagement
Reporting formally and informally to Senior Management Team, CEO and Board
Benefits of working for FPH
Competitive salary
Contribution to pension scheme of up to 12.5% of salary
Annual leave of 36 days per annum, including bank holidays.
Personal development opportunities – time and funding as agreed.
Staff Award and Recognition scheme
Interest-free season ticket loan
FPH Benefits – discount purchasing scheme for goods and services
Employee Assistance Programme – helpline and advice
Occupational Health Assessment and Support
Free annual eye-test and £100 contribution towards glasses if required for work purposes
Cycle to Work Scheme
Central London location in Regent’s Park (10 minute walk from Euston Station)
Further information about the Faculty of Public Health
The UK Faculty of Public Health (FPH) is a Faculty of the three Royal Colleges of
Physicians of the UK and was established in 1972 as the professional body for specialist
public health consultants.
We are committed to improving and protecting people’s mental and physical health and
well-being. Our vision is for better health for all, where people are able to achieve their
fullest potential for a healthy and fulfilling life through a fair and equitable society. We
work to promote understanding and to drive improvements in public health policy and
practice.
As the leading professional body for public health specialists in the UK, our members are
trained to the highest possible standards of public health competence and practice – as set
by FPH. With nearly 4,000 members based in the UK and internationally, we work to
develop knowledge and understanding and to promote excellence in the field of public
health. FPH has been at the forefront of developing and expanding the public health
workforce and profession for over forty years.
4 St Andrews Place  London  NW1 4LB 
Website: www.fph.org.uk  Registered Charity No: 263894
Faculty of Public Health
Of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom
Working to improve the public’s health
4 St Andrews Place  London  NW1 4LB 
Website: www.fph.org.uk  Registered Charity No: 263894