Full job descriptionHead of Public Affairs (Scotland)
Gambling with LivesHome-based within one hour of Glasgow, Edinburgh or Scotland’s Central Belt
£42,000 - £48,000
Permanent Full Time
Help change how Scotland understands and responds to gambling-related suicide.
Every year, hundreds of lives are lost to gambling-related suicide, leaving families navigating unimaginable grief whilst searching for answers.
Gambling with Lives was founded by families bereaved by gambling-related suicide and has become one of the UK’s leading voices driving change across policy, public health and support services.
As the organisation expands its work in Scotland, we are seeking a Head of Public Affairs (Scotland) to lead influencing activity, build strategic partnerships and help ensure that the experiences of affected families shape decision-making at every level.
This is an opportunity to build something new, influence decision-makers and help drive meaningful systems change across Scotland.
About the Role
Reporting into the Head of Public Affairs, you will lead Gambling with Lives’ public affairs and stakeholder engagement activity across Scotland.
Working closely with colleagues, families with lived experience and key partners, you will help ensure gambling-related harm and suicide are recognised as public health issues and that the voices of affected families are heard where decisions are being made.
This is not a traditional public affairs role focused solely on political engagement. It is about understanding how systems work, identifying opportunities for change and bringing together evidence, lived experience and partnerships to improve outcomes for families.
You will play a key role in establishing and growing Gambling with Lives’ influence across Scotland, working with stakeholders across government, public health, local authorities, third-sector organisations and professional networks.
Key Responsibilities
*Lead Gambling with Lives’ public affairs and influencing activity across Scotland.
*Build relationships with MSPs, MPs, civil servants, public health leaders and senior stakeholders.
*Identify opportunities to influence policy, practice and system responses relating to gambling harms and gambling-related suicide.
*Support families with lived experience to contribute safely and meaningfully to influencing activity.
*Develop strategic partnerships across health, justice, local government and third-sector organisations.
*Increase awareness and understanding of gambling-related harm and suicide bereavement.
*Deliver presentations, stakeholder engagement events and awareness activity across Scotland.
*Work closely with internal colleagues to ensure learning from families informs organisational priorities and external influencing work.
*Represent Gambling with Lives across key Scottish networks and forums.
This Role Is Ideally Suited To someone working as a Public Affairs Manager, Policy Manager, External Affairs Manager,
Government Relations Manager, Campaigns and Public Affairs Managers, Public Health Policy Professionals, Senior Policy Officers, Stakeholder Engagement Managers, Political Engagement Specialists.
You may already be working within the charity sector, public sector, healthcare, government, membership organisations or consultancy. Most importantly, you’ll be passionate about influencing change and building meaningful relationships that improve outcomes for people and communities.
About You
We’re open to candidates from a variety of backgrounds.
Most importantly, you’ll understand how change happens and be able to demonstrate experience influencing stakeholders, building relationships and navigating complex environments.
You’ll bring:
*Experience working within public affairs, policy, campaigning or stakeholder engagement roles in Scotland.
*Strong understanding of Scottish political and policy processes.
*Experience engaging senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
*Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.
*Strong written and verbal communication skills.
*The ability to work independently whilst managing multiple priorities.
*A thoughtful, professional and values-led approach.
*The confidence to work autonomously and identify opportunities to influence systems and decision-makers.
Experience of gambling harms, public health, suicide prevention or lived experience engagement would be welcomed but is not essential.
Why Join Gambling with Lives?
This is a rare opportunity to join an ambitious organisation at a pivotal point in its development.
You’ll have the opportunity to:
*Shape a new Scotland-wide public affairs function.
*Influence policy and practice at a national level.
*Work alongside passionate colleagues and families with lived experience.
*Drive meaningful, long-term systems change.
*Contribute to work that has the potential to save lives and support families affected by gambling-related suicide.
If you’re motivated by creating change, building partnerships and ensuring lived experience informs decision-making, we’d love to hear from you.
Recruitment Partner – Charity Recruit
Gambling with Lives has partnered exclusively with Charity Recruit for this appointment.
At Charity Recruit, we specialise in recruiting leadership, operational and specialist professionals across the charity, not-for-profit and social impact sectors. We understand that the best appointments are about more than matching skills and experience, they are about finding people who genuinely connect with an organisation’s mission, values and ambitions.
We take a consultative and relationship-led approach to recruitment, investing time to understand both our clients and candidates to ensure the right long-term fit. Our process includes detailed screening conversations, competency-based assessment and comprehensive candidate summaries, giving both clients and candidates the best possible recruitment experience.
If you’d like to learn more about the role, the organisation or the wider context behind this appointment, please contact Emily Formby for a confidential and informal discussion.
We particularly welcome conversations with candidates who may not meet every requirement listed but feel they can bring valuable transferable experience, strong influencing skills and a genuine commitment to Gambling with Lives’ mission.