Head of External Affairs

Job overview

Liverpool Health Partners is the Academic Health Science System for the Liverpool City Region, bringing together NHS, academic, industry and civic partners to deliver research, innovation and improved health outcomes.

We are seeking a senior and experienced individual to lead our external affairs function. Reporting to the Managing Director and working closely with the Executive Group, you will shape and deliver a clear, coherent approach to external engagement across regional, national and international stakeholders.

This is a strategic role focused on system positioning, stakeholder engagement and partnership development. You will build senior relationships across NHS, academia, government and industry, supporting LHP to operate as a recognised front door for health and life sciences collaboration.

You will have significant experience within the health and life sciences sector, strong political awareness and the ability to operate credibly at senior level. Experience of working with major industry partners and an understanding of research and innovation, including clinical trials, is essential

Main duties of the job

Liverpool Health Partners is the Academic Health Science System for the Liverpool City region, convening NHS, academic, civic and industry partners to deliver health, economic and societal benefit.

The Head of External Affairs is a leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering LHP's external relations strategy across regional, national and international stakeholders. The post holder will work closely with the Managing Director and Executive Group to position LHP as a coherent system level partnership and a recognised front door for health and life sciences collaboration.

The role operates at a strategic level, focusing on stakeholder alignment, system positioning and partnership development. It requires strong judgement, political awareness and the ability to operate across organisational boundaries to support collective influence, reputation and impact.

This role is focused on strategic external engagement, system narrative and partnership architecture.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Develop and lead a coherent external affairs strategy aligned to LHP's system ambitions and priorities.

Support the Managing Director and Executive Group in positioning LHP as the recognised convenor for health and life sciences across the city region.

Shape and articulate a clear, consistent system narrative across partners, ensuring alignment in external messaging and positioning.

To lead the development and implementation of LHP's  communications plan and activities for managing the relationship with local leaders in the system (politicians, academic leaders, NHS leaders etc).

Build and maintain senior relationships across NHS, academia, local government, industry and national bodies.

Act as a key interface between LHP and external stakeholders, ensuring coordinated and strategic engagement.

Lead the development of strategic approaches to influencing regional and national policy, investment and partnership opportunities.

Coordinate LHP's role in major system opportunities including national initiatives, industry partnerships and regional growth agendas.

Provide senior support to the Managing Director and Executive Group on external affairs, stakeholder strategy and engagement planning.

Contribute to briefings, positioning papers and strategic communications for senior leaders

Ensure effective coordination of external engagement activity across the partnership

For full information, please refer to the attached job description