Recovery Focus
External Affairs and Strategy Specialist
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External Affairs and Strategy Specialist
External Affairs and Strategy Specialist
Location: Home-Based, with expectation of travel Working Hours: 37 hours per week (flexibility in hours and the possibility of part-time hours considered)
Contract Type: Permanent Salary: £38,960.00 - £48,960 (flexible starting salary based on experience and progression within the band)
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support:
- Around 125,000 people
- Nearly 200 services
- A team of 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers
This is not just a job—it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
Our mission:
"How can we break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value?"
We tackle poverty and disadvantage, specialising in: ✔ Mental health ✔ Substance use ✔ Housing ✔ Domestic abuse
In ** England**, we deliver 260 services supporting nearly 130,000 people annually.
About the Role
As the External Affairs and Strategy Specialist, you’ll:
- Shape Waythrough’s external influence – Advise on and respond to political, policy, and social developments.
- Work closely with senior leaders – Provide strategic insights, build partnerships, and drive impactful campaigns.
- Influence policy & advocacy – Ensure our external voice reflects the voices of the people we support.
- Monitor emerging risks, opportunities & trends in policy, politics, and the sector.
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Key Responsibilities
You will primarily work home-based, but travel will be required—including:
- Attendance at parliamentary groups and forums (around 5 times per year)
- Occasional office visits if based nearby
You’ll collaborate across the organisation, particularly with the Communications team, to:
- Coordinate national campaigns (leading elements and maintaining momentum)
- Inform decisions with high-quality research and recommendations
- Represent Waythrough externally in policy dialogues, forums, and stakeholder meetings
- Develop key policy materials: responses, speeches, submissions, and presentations
About You
You are:
🔹 The confident and proactive relationship builder who thrives in fast-moving environments 🔹 A self-starter and collaborator—comfortable seeking expertise across the organisation 🔹 A sound policy and political expert with influence at senior levels 🔹 Lived experience-sensitive in your approach to campaigns and policy 🔹 Persuasive communicator, able to distil complex findings for leaders
Above all, you bring curiosity, initiative, and a commitment to turning research into meaningful change.
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What We Offer
Alongside meaningful work, we provide:
📌 27 days annual leave (rising to 32 after 1 year) + bank holidays 📌 4.5% + pension contribution (employer matches up to 6.5%) 📌 Life assurance (3x annual salary) 📌 Enhanced sick pay & family-friendly benefits 📌 Birthday leave & optional 5 extra annual leave days 📌 Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications 📌 24/7 online GP access & Employee Assistance Programme 📌 Way to Go & Aspirations recognition awards (long service bonuses) 📌 £500 Recommend a Friend bonus 📌 Cycle to Work scheme & Credit Union membership 📌 Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras, Tickets for Good 📌 Free will-writing service 📌 Wellbeing initiatives + accessibility support
Inclusion & Our Commitment
We are an equal opportunities employer, eager to hear from all backgrounds and communities, particularly those with lived experience of the issues we support.
We’ve signed the Disability Confident Scheme and make reasonable adjustments to support application and inclusion.
Need help with your application? Email: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
Closing Date: 02/08/2026
For the full job description, please click here.
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