Policy & Public Affairs Manager

As Policy & Public Affairs Manager you'll help us achieve our vision of a world where diabetes does no harm. Leading on the development and delivery of policy, public affairs and influencing activity you'll work alongside people living with, and at risk of, diabetes and collaborate with colleagues within the Scotland team and across the UK to drive change.

Role Responsibility

You'll work closely with the National Director to influence MSPs, ministers, government officials and senior leaders within the NHS to deliver on our strategic objectives. You'll make sure that our Diabetes UK policy positions work in a Scottish context and deliver campaigns to turn these positions into action. You'll produce policy reports, consultation responses and briefings. You'll keep up to date with what's happening across Scotland and the rest of the UK in health, horizon scanning to identify issues affecting people living with diabetes.

The Ideal Candidate

You've got experience of working in an influencing role in Scottish government, Parliament and ideally the health system. You can build strong relationships with a wide range of people and use these relationships to influence change. You're great at communicating verbally and can produce top-notch reports as well as compelling cases for change. You've got an eye for detail and can translate complex data and policy to help inform our strategic decisions. You're up for joining a small team at a time of change and being part of shaping our future direction.

We have a friendly and inclusive working environment here at Diabetes UK and are proud of our hybrid approach which allows great flexibility in the way that we work. This means that you can balance your working time between home and the office, subject to the needs of your role.

Interview date: 16 September 2025

Please note that all job offers are subject to you providing acceptable evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK.

For nearly 5 million people with diabetes in the UK, there's no day off. At Diabetes UK, we fight day in, day out for better care, treatment and support. We won't stop until diabetes can do no harm.

With more people than ever living with diabetes and millions more at risk of developing type 2, our work has never been more needed. We make sure they get the care and support needed to live well with diabetes and avoid devastating complications.

We fund critical research, which has led to life-changing discoveries - like the first insulin pen and programmes to put type 2 diabetes into remission. Now, we want to do this for everyone and find a cure.

We can't do any of this without you. Our staff are passionate and determined about helping everyone affected by diabetes. For over 85 years, they've been behind vital policy changes, as well as new treatments and technologies to make living with diabetes easier every day.

But there's more to do. And you can be part of it. Our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm. Join us today, and together, we can make that a reality.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Diabetes does not affect everyone equally and as a charity we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We seek to better reflect those we serve. This means we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates in our recruitment processes and particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented at senior level, including those from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds. It also means if you have a disability or long-term condition, we're happy to consider any reasonable adjustments you might need to take part in the process and succeed in the role, just let our HR team know via [email protected]

We have a friendly and inclusive working environment here at Diabetes UK and are proud of our hybrid approach which allows great flexibility in the way that we work. This means that you can balance your working time between home and the office, subject to the needs of your role.

Please note that all job offers are subject to you providing acceptable evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK and satisfactory references and a DBS check if required.

To find out more about what we do, check out our website.

Diabetes UK