Head of Policy (Acute Care)

Main responsibilities

The Head of Policy (Acute Care) is a senior role within the IHPN team, reporting to the Director of Policy. The Head of Policy (Acute Care) will lead a strategic and impactful programme of work to shape the policy environment for IHPN members delivering acute care, both outpatient and inpatient. This programme will be aimed at successfully influencing the external environment and ensuring that IHPN members are able to maximise opportunities to deliver high-quality services.

The postholder will lead on IHPN’s work on NHS commissioning structures and frameworks, Patient Choice, and the NHS payment system. IHPN members also deliver a full range of privately funded acute services. A key part of this role will be to identify and develop opportunities for policy formation and influence in private care.

The postholder will develop relationships at senior level with IHPN members delivering acute services, and in relation to other key elements of the broader policy work programme and will work to ensure that they have high levels of satisfaction with their IHPN membership. They will also develop professional networks with key stakeholders including senior representatives at NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, key health think tanks and others as appropriate.

In collaboration with the Director of Policy, Director of Regulation, Director of Communication, the post holder will also contribute to the broader IHPN policy offer to all members.

Personal specification

Essential

• Knowledge of NHS commissioning, finance, and contracting policy, as well as a good working understanding of the private pay market.
• Excellent influencing skills that can be deployed with a variety of key stakeholders.
• Excellent policy research and analysis skills that cut through complexity and provide insight, with the ability to write accessible and compelling policy narratives informed by member/stakeholder views, evidence and best practice.
• Extensive skill and experience in both research and analysing data to understand key insights.
• Excellent attention to detail, a methodical approach, and able to consistently deliver high-quality outputs.
• Able to demonstrate strong customer service and interpersonal skills, gaining the respect and confidence of internal and external stakeholders.
• Be able to work collaboratively and build strong cross-organisational relationships within a multidisciplinary team and to deliver independently when needed.
• Flexible and agile in a rapidly changing environment.
• Effective facilitation and collaboration, using relevant tools and technology, online and face-to-face.
• Previous experience of working in public policy, healthcare and/or a membership organisation or trade association environment
• Excellent IT skills along with project delivery experience.

Desirable

• Educated to degree level.

We have provided an outline of the essential and desirable criteria for this role. However, it is important to us to find the right person with the right mindset than someone with a very specific set of previous experiences. So, we would really encourage you to apply or get in touch for a conversation if you:

• Are you a people-person, interested in putting your people skills into action with members and stakeholders.
• Have a can-do attitude that enjoys getting on and delivering.
• Enjoy working as part of a team and able to lead when needed.
• Work in line with IHPN team values including proactivity, integrity, and putting members first.

Salary and benefits

Salary: £58,500 – £62,000 (plus pension and private medical insurance)

Contract: Permanent, full-time with flexible working

Location: London