The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) are seeking an External Affairs Manager to promote and protect the interests of the speech and language therapy profession in the Welsh Parliament and government departments.

Who we are

The RCSLT is the professional body for speech and language therapists across the UK. The RCSLT has over 24,000 members and employs around 65 staff predominately based in a London office. The RCSLT has offices in London, Belfast, Edinburgh, and Cardiff. Our mission is to improve the lives of people with communication and swallowing needs by facilitating and promoting research, producing guidance, holding events, and influencing government. We aim to promote better education and training for speech and language therapists and provide information to our members and the public about speech and language therapy.

The role

We are seeking a policy and public affairs leader to drive influence, advocacy and campaigning in Wales. This high-profile role will represent the organisation at senior levels, engaging with Ministers, Members of the Senedd (MSs), officials and the media to champion speech and language therapy and those with communication and swallowing needs. You will lead the development and delivery of policy and campaigning strategy, building cross-party relationships, shaping national campaigns and supporting members to influence both locally and nationally in English and Welsh. The role also involves planning impactful events, strengthening partnerships and acting as a key spokesperson on policy and legislative issues. Working closely with colleagues and stakeholders, you will oversee policy development and responses, ensuring emerging legislation and policy are effectively analysed, influenced and communicated. You will also play a central role in promoting the profession, supporting members and networks across Wales and representing the organisation at a senior level to advance its strategic goals.

What we are looking for

We re looking for a confident policy professional with strong political awareness and a passion for influencing change. Welsh speaking is desirable however not essential. The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of health, social care and education policy, alongside knowledge of political processes, particularly within the Welsh Parliament and Government and an appreciation of the role of a professional body. The ideal candidate will have experience of influencing policy in health, education or social care, with a proven track record in lobbying or campaigning at local or national level. You will be skilled in developing policy initiatives from research, evidence and practice, and communicating complex findings to a wide range of audiences. The successful candidate will be an effective communicator and influencer, confident in advising civil servants and politicians on sensitive matters and capable of leading or contributing to projects across a complex organisation.

What we can offer you

• A competitive starting salary
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Excellent staff training and development opportunities
• Supportive and flexible working environment including, hybrid working arrangements
• Generous Pension scheme
• Life insurance cover
• Season Ticket Loan scheme
• Eye care voucher scheme
• Family friendly employer including enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and more!

How to apply

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, or for more details about the role, please contact the HR Team by email.

For more information and to apply, please visit our vacancies page. Applications must be written in English.

Closing date: 9.00am on Thursday, 18 June 2026.

Interview date: Tuesday, 30 June 2026 (in our Cardiff Office - CF11 9SD).

There will be a task that will be needed to be completed prior to the interview which will be shared with shortlisted candidates. Some interview questions will need to be answered in Welsh.

Please note, we can only accept applications from those who have working rights in the UK, we cannot offer sponsorship for this role. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and inclusive recruitment process. All applications are handled with strict confidentiality to protect your privacy and encourage openness throughout the process. The RCSLT is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. We aim to embed equity, diversity, and belonging practices throughout our recruitment and selection procedures. We strive to ensure everyone is valued equally for their contribution, experience, knowledge, and skills. We welcome applications from candidates of all different backgrounds.