External Affairs Assistant

External Affairs Assistant

Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 34.5 hours (we’re open to discussing how you work these hours)
Location: Home‑based (with optional hybrid working and occasional travel across the UK)
Salary range: £28,000 – £31,000 (

We are looking for someone to start in post quickly so quick start date is preferable

About us

At Macmillan, you’ll find people who care deeply about doing whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. We’re constantly looking for new and better ways to make an impact, and our values guide everything we do — shaping how we show up for the people who need us.

Our new organisational strategy is all about delivering greater impact, faster. With your help, we’ll push for meaningful change and make sure every pound we raise goes even further to improve the lives of people living with cancer.

About the role

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated External Affairs Assistant to join our External Affairs team and play a key role in shaping change across the UK.

This is an exciting entrylevel opportunity for someone who’s passionate about politics, policy, and influencing. You’ll work across the four nations, helping us build strong relationships with decision makers, track policy developments, and support our work to deliver real, at scale change for people living with cancer — particularly those who face the biggest barriers to care and services.

You’ll be part of a collaborative team at the heart of Macmillan’s influencing and systems change work.

Key responsibilities

• Supporting the development and delivery of Macmillan’s external affairs work across the UK.
• Monitoring political and policy developments that affect people living with cancer.
• Preparing clear, timely briefings and materials in response to external developments.
• Keeping stakeholder records up to date and helping manage engagement activity.
• Working with colleagues across Macmillan to bring together insight, data and lived experience.
• Supporting the coordination and running of external events, including meetings, conferences and receptions.
• Attending meetings and events on behalf of the team (with travel across the UK).
• Contributing to reports, presentations and other external affairs resources.

About you

This role is ideal for someone early in their career who has a genuine interest in politics, policy and improving outcomes for people living with cancer.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Strong communication skills and a willingness to learn how to tailor messages for different audiences.
• An interest in UK wide politics and the policy landscape.
• Openness to new ideas and a proactive approach to learning.
• Flexibility, adaptability and the ability to respond well to changing priorities.
• A positive, collaborative approach to working with others.
• Motivation to work independently and manage tasks confidently.

Nice to have (but not essential):

• Experience working in a team environment.
• Any experience or knowledge relating to politics or parliamentary processes in the UK

What’s in it for you

• The chance to be part of a team delivering real change for people living with cancer.
• A unique opportunity to develop experience of working across all four UK nations.
• Exposure to high‑profile external relationships and influencing work.
• A supportive environment where you’ll be encouraged to grow your skills and confidence.
• A role at the centre of Macmillan’s new strategy and systems change work.

Recruitment Process 
Application deadline: Sun 22nd Feb (23:59)
First interview dates: 2nd and 5th March (TBC)

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. 

We are an organisation that is committed to setting candidates up for success, so we can support you to be at your best during the application or selection process, please contact Macmillan TA Team TATeam@macmillan.org.uk for advice, or a conversation on reasonable adjustments.  

We welcome applications from everyone who meet the criteria and strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Macmillan. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee representation body, ‘Our Voice’ and 8 Employee Network groups help us promote fairness and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.