Job Description

This is a high-profile and rewarding opportunity for an experienced communications professional to join the General Pharmaceutical Council at a pivotal time, playing a leading role in how we engage with parliamentarians, the media, patients, and the public.

The role

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As External Affairs Manager you will sit at the heart of our Communications function, leading communications for major programmes, campaigns and external events, while strengthening the organisation's profile and relationships with parliamentarians, media and key stakeholders.



Working closely with senior leaders, including the Chair, Chief Executive and executive team, you will provide strategic communications advice, deliver high-impact activity, and help navigate complex communications issues and opportunities with clarity, credibility and purpose.


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The successful applicant will:

Lead communications

for key projects and programmes of work, ensuring alignment with the GPhC's strategic objectives.

Build influential relationships

with parliamentarians, supporting effective political engagement.

Advise and brief senior leaders

, and support the delivery of high-profile events, campaigns and engagement activities, including work with patients and the public.

Proactively identify, manage and respond

to media opportunities and enquiries across national, regional, consumer and trade outlets. Contribute flexibly across the Communications team and wider organisation, demonstrating adaptability and strong collaborative working. Have

an unwavering commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

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Benefits when joining our team

In return for their commitment and enthusiasm, employees can expect a rewarding and challenging work environment,

good work-life balance and workload plus an excellent benefits package

that includes:

30 days holiday

(plus bank holidays) with the option to buy an additional 5 days.

Pension scheme.

Flexible working arrangements.

Career breaks and sabbaticals.

Life assurance, season ticket loan, bike loan

and many more.

About the GPhC

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We are a respected regulatory body that regulates pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies in Great Britain. We work to assure and improve standards of care for people using pharmacy services.



Our organisation has a long-term vision and a desire for highly skilled and specialist staff. We are committed to providing workforce learning and development opportunities.



We have adopted a hybrid working approach which combines office and home working. Staff are currently required to attend the office for a minimum of 12 days per quarter, rising to 18 days per quarter from July 2026.



We are proud of our diverse and inclusive culture and are committed to holding ourselves to the same standards we expect of others.



Follow this link to see our

privacy policy

and understand how we collect, use and share your personal data during our recruitment process.

Applying for this role

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Please

make sure you complete your supporting statement section

, explaining how you meet each of the criteria for the role, and where you found out about this vacancy. Applications without a supporting statement

will not be considered.

Please consult the

knowledge and skills section

of the job description document below to help you

prepare your application.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community



We are committed to promoting equality, valuing diversity and being inclusive in all our work as a health professions regulator.



Whilst we are proud to be members of the

Disability Confident Scheme

,

you don't

have to have a disability for us to discuss

reasonable adjustments.

Please let us know if you need any support during the application or interview process and we will happily discuss this with you.



As part of your application for this role, please complete our

equal opportunities and diversity monitoring section.

This is optional

and you don't have to complete it; however it provides us with useful information for monitoring and reporting purposes and is

strictly confidential.

The information you provide on this form will not form part of any selection process and will not be shared with the selection panel.



If you have any queries please do write to us at careers@pharmacyregulation.org or if you would like to speak to a member of the Talent Acquisition team please do call us on 0203 713 7880.


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Important Notice for Applicants

As part of our pre-employment screening process, this role is subject to a

basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

In addition, the GPhC will conduct

Fitness to Practise (FtP) checks

for any applicant who is

currently,

or has

previously been, a registrant of the GPhC

. Applicants will be asked to declare this during the application process and may be subject to further internal verification.

Any findings may be considered as part of the recruitment decision.

Published on
14 January, 2026
Last updated on 19 January, 2026

Salary details
45,732 per annum, plus benefits
Appointment type
Six-month fixed-term contract
Closing date
01/02/2026
Interview dates
9 February 2026 (Microsoft Teams)
Location
Canary Wharf, London (Hybrid working approach: 12 days in office per quarter)
Hours
35 hours per week, from 9.00 to 5.00, Monday to Friday