Policy and Standards Officer

Working pattern: Hybrid

Contract type: Permanent

Location: London

Interview date: Thursday 24 September 2026 (via MS Teams)

Help shape mental health policy and support our members

The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) is the professional membership body for psychiatrists and promotes excellent care for people with mental illness. It has 21,000 members and engages with government and the media as the leading voice of the UK’s mental health services. The College is an award winning, values-based organisation.

We are looking for a highly organised and motivated Policy and Standards Officer to join our Policy and Influencing Team.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the College's policy development, and standards work by supporting key member committees and specialist groups, providing project support, undertake research and policy analysis, and ensure the smooth running of our consultations, surveys and stakeholder engagement activities.

You will directly support the College Registrar (one of our senior elected members and an Honorary Officer of the College) and our Policy and Public Affairs Committee. This will involve excellent delivery of committee meetings and day-to-day oversight of a range of processes our team supports, such as consultation responses. You will also ensure the Registrar has any necessary briefings and materials needed to support their commitments. You will work closely with the Senior Policy and Standards Manager and colleagues across the College to deliver an excellent member experience in engaging in our policy and standards work.

The successful candidate will be highly organised and expert in developing and implementing processes, as well as flexible in working in a dynamic team.

This role would suit someone making an initial step into their career in policy, public affairs, influencing or project management within a highly respected membership organisation.

The Policy and Influencing Team is a part of the College’s Strategic Communications Department. We are responsible for providing expert research, policy and data analysis to underpin the College's influencing and public affairs priorities, managing the College's policy outputs and mental health information resources, and supporting strategic decision-making about the College’s priorities.

THE COLLEGE

The College values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, reflecting the population it serves.

We are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture, a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We aim to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.

We will provide appropriate reasonable adjustments for candidates who may have a disability.

We only recruit the best and in return for your commitment the College offers an attractive salary and benefits.

We operate a hybrid working model of on-site and working from home/remote, which helps to ensure a flexible work life balance.

We welcome applications from all sections of the Community.

For any queries, please e-mail: [email protected]

If you require assistance or any other reasonable adjustments to complete your application, please contact [email protected]

STAFF BENEFITS

To help we offer a range of excellent staff benefits including:

• up to 25 days of annual leave, depending on length of service (exclusive of public and bank holidays)
• up to six College closures days (during May, August and December)
• generous flexi-time and time off in lieu (TOIL) schemes
• enhanced maternity leave (eight weeks at full pay, 18 weeks at half pay, 13 weeks lower rate SMP, 13 weeks unpaid leave)
• enhanced paternity leave (two weeks at full pay, rather than at statutory level)
• interest-free season ticket loan
• subsidised café at our London Head Office
• health and wellbeing package (including up to £160 for complementary therapies)
• money towards annual eye tests
• 24/7 health and stress-related helplines
• management support helplines
• Group Income Protection Scheme
• generous pension and life assurance schemes

The College is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Charity registration. no. 228636.

The College is a proud member of the Disability Confident Employer scheme. A Disability Confident employer will offer an interview to any applicant who declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria (essential) for the job as defined by the employer. Please see Candidate Information Pack for more information.