Macmillan Community Engagement Officer

About the job

Salary: £33,143 - £36,363 a year pro rata
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Fixed term for 1 year

This position is available as a secondment opportunity for 1 year. If you are a permanent LBC employee, you must have written approval (an email will suffice) from your manager prior to applying and a copy will need to be submitted with your application. Please note: we will not be able to proceed with your application form without your manager's permission.

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Do you have the skills to engage communities, build trust, and help tackle health inequalities? Luton Council is seeking a dedicated Macmillan Community Engagement Officer to support an ambitious one-year community engagement programme focused on improving cancer outcomes across our diverse communities.

About the Role

Working closely with the Macmillan Cancer Connector & Co-production Project Manager, you will play a vital role in delivering a community engagement programme that supports people affected by cancer across Luton. You will focus particularly on engaging with seldom-heard communities, including Black, Afro and Caribbean, South Asian, Eastern European, and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller populations.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by amplifying community voices, improving access to cancer services, and helping reduce health inequalities.

Key Responsibilities

• Build strong, trusted relationships with local communities, voluntary organisations, NHS partners, and stakeholders.
• Capture lived experiences of people affected by cancer to inform and shape service improvements.
• Plan and deliver inclusive engagement activities and events that reflect community needs.
• Promote awareness of cancer prevention, early diagnosis, screening, and support services.
• Facilitate workshops and conversations to understand barriers and identify priorities.
• Co produce recommendations with communities to improve cancer care and outcomes.
• Produce reports and present findings clearly to a range of audiences.
• Support project delivery through effective administration and coordination.
• Use social media and communication tools to reach diverse audiences.
• Maintain accurate records and databases.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

About you

You will be an empathetic and proactive individual with strong communication and engagement skills. You'll be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, with a genuine commitment to improving health outcomes.

You will have:

• Experience in community engagement, public health, or project delivery.
• Strong verbal communication skills, including use of digital and social media platforms.
• Knowledge of health inequalities and their impact on diverse communities.
• Ability to facilitate discussions with sensitivity, using emotional intelligence and active listening.
• Experience organising events or community-based initiatives.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage your own workload.
• Competence in report writing and presenting information accessibly.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Level 3 or 4 qualification (A Levels, BTEC or equivalent), or relevant professional experience in areas such as project management, marketing, public engagement, or public health.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends where required.
• Willingness to travel locally and regionally within the UK.

What We Offer

• The chance to make a tangible impact on health outcomes in Luton
• A supportive and inclusive working environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• A role where your work directly influences positive change in communities

Our Values

We are committed to integrity, inclusion, and fairness. You will lead by example-promoting equality, eliminating bias, and helping create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our communities.

Apply now to help shape better cancer care and support for everyone in Luton.

Benefits

We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:

• From 25 to 32 days' annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 19.2 per cent (at April 2026) and 3x salary death in service grant
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel