Responsibilities

• Own commercial responsibility for a portfolio of PR and policy clients, delivering fully-costed proposals and achieving target revenue within budget
• Lead senior media relations and maintain strong relationships with health, trade, national and policy press, as well as key commentators and sector influencers
• Provide informed, senior counsel to clients on complex issues spanning healthcare policy, politics and business, translating regulatory and political developments into practical recommendations
• Maintain a strong working understanding of how UK political and regulatory institutions relevant to healthcare — including the NHS, CQC, NICE, MHRA and other public bodies — shape client strategy
• Lead and refine ZPB's approach to public affairs and policy communications, including delivering thought leadership and training to clients and the wider team
• Offer crisis management and counsel to clients, and extend ZPB's networking and influence in relevant policy and media circles
• Lead pitch teams and drive new business, including responding to prospect briefs and identifying organic growth within existing accounts
• Mentor and develop a team spanning Account Managers to Account Executives, embedding strong policy and media judgement across the team
• Represent ZPB externally as a senior voice on healthcare policy and public affairs, including through speaking opportunities and written commentary
• Identify potential crisis situations early and implement crisis management techniques when required

Requirements

• Substantial experience in healthcare PR, policy communications or public affairs, with significant experience at Senior Account Manager level or above, ideally within a healthcare or public affairs consultancy
• Strong understanding of how political and regulatory institutions relevant to healthcare — including the NHS, MHRA, NICE, CQC and other bodies — work in the UK
• Proven track record of developing senior media and policy relationships, including with commentators, spokespeople and sector influencers
• Demonstrated experience managing client budgets, achieving revenue targets and holding full commercial responsibility for accounts
• Strong crisis management skills, with experience providing counsel to clients through high-stakes situations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence advising senior and board-level clients
• The right to work in the UK without sponsorship

Preferred

• Experience working across regional and global healthcare policy or public affairs environments
• A track record of leading new business pitches and proposals
• Experience mentoring or line-managing junior team members
• An established external profile or thought leadership presence in healthcare policy or public affairs
• Familiarity with AI and digital tools, and how they are changing policy monitoring and communications delivery
• A relevant degree (politics, public policy, health policy, communications or a related subject) — not essential if you can demonstrate the skills above

Benefits

• A salary of £55,000–£65,000, dependent on experience (plus bonus)
• Hybrid work – three days in the office with Monday and Friday at home
• A leadership role at the intersection of healthcare communications and public affairs, with genuine influence over ZPB's policy offer
• Full commercial ownership of a portfolio of accounts, and the autonomy that comes with it
• Direct involvement in shaping ZPB's policy and public affairs proposition
• A collaborative, editorially minded team with a genuinely no-nonsense approach to client work
• 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days by year 3) and on top the office is closed between Christmas and New Year
• Private health insurance
• Employee assistance programme including free legal advice, therapy and health checks
• Paid four-week sabbatical after four years