Assistant Director, Communications & External Affairs

Homes England; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Hybrid working 50/50

Pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Membership fees paid for professional/

Job summary

Homes England is recruiting for a senior communications leader to drive the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation's communications, engagement and external affairs. You will shape the organisation's reputation, provide strategic advice on high-profile issues and ensure effective engagement with communities, government, investors and partners.

Reporting to the leadership team, you will support the establishment and operation of the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation and work with Homes

Qualifications

• Experienced communications leader with a track record in strategic communications and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience working with Boards, Chief Executives and executive teams on reputation management.
• Comfortable navigating politically sensitive environments and high-profile projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic communications, engagement and external affairs for the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation.
• Shape and protect the organisation's reputation and advise on complex issues.
• Engage communities, government, investors, businesses and partners to support growth.

Job description

Closing Date: 05/11/2026

Interviews will take place week commencing 16/11/2026 and 23/11/2026

There will be a two stage interview process and you will be required to complete an online Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ) prior to second stage.

About the role.

As a key member of the leadership team, you will lead the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation's communications, engagement and external affairs activities, helping to build support for an ambitious programme of sustainable growth.

You will shape and protect the organisation's reputation, provide strategic advice on complex and high-profile issues, and ensure effective engagement with communities, government, investors, businesses and strategic partners.

Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, Chair and Board, you will help influence decision-making, build consensus and support the successful delivery of GCDC's vision for Greater Cambridge.

This role is being recruited by Homes England to support the establishment and operation of the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation. The successful candidate will initially be employed by Homes England and will work predominantly on matters relating to the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation and its activities.

About you.

We're looking for an experienced and influential communications leader who thrives in complex, high-profile environments and knows how to bring people together behind a shared vision. You will have a strong track record of leading strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and external affairs activity, ideally supporting large-scale programmes, organisational transformation or significant growth agendas.

You will have experience of working closely with Boards, Chief Executives and executive teams on reputation management, political and stakeholder engagement, media relations and complex communications challenges. Comfortable operating in a highly visible and politically sensitive environment, you will bring sound judgement, credibility and the confidence to navigate competing priorities and perspectives.

You will have a deep understanding of the political, policy and regulatory landscape, together with the ability to build influential relationships across government, business, the media, communities and partner organisations. An accomplished communicator, you will be equally comfortable shaping strategic narratives, managing public affairs activity and representing an organisation with senior stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be an experienced people leader with a proven ability to develop high-performing, multidisciplinary teams. You will bring expertise across media relations, digital communications, campaigns, audience insight and engagement, using evidence and insight to maximise impact and continuously improve performance.

Who are we?

Homes England: The Housing and Regeneration Agency

As the government's housing and regeneration agency, we create thriving new places and transform urban areas, combining the full breadth of our powers, expertise, land, capital and influence to bring investment to communities and get more homes built.

We form long-term partnerships that bridge the gap between the public and private sector to meet local needs and aspirations. And we use our funding and support to build a more resilient, diverse and innovative housing sector. Together with our partners, we're accelerating the pace of house building, remediation and regeneration across the country, as we seek to deliver ever more affordable homes in places people are proud to call home for generations to come.

Greater Cambridge Development Corporation

The Greater Cambridge Development Corporation was established by the government on 23 July 2026. It is a statutory delivery body set up as a new local-national partnership, to unlock the long-term sustainable economic future of Greater Cambridge.

Building on the foundations laid by the Cambridge Growth Company, the Development Corporation marks the next phase of the government's commitment to achieving nationally significant economic growth through infrastructure-led development.

What we offer.

As well as a competitive salary and 33 days annual leave. Homes England are a geographically diverse community, and we are committed to 50/50 hybrid working model.

Membership of the Homes and Communities Agency Pension Scheme, which is a contributory defined benefit scheme with the amount you receive on retirement based on your salary and years worked at the Agency.

Internal applicants: please note that if you are successful, the salary you are offered will be in accordance with our pay policy. You can find details on the HR Hub SharePoint site.

Employee assistance programme offering a wide range of healthcare plans, financial wellbeing support and access to many great discounts with leading high street names.

A range of network groups are also there to support you to be yourself at work and play a key role in helping shape our future.

If you are a member of a professional body, we'll pay for your membership and once you get your digital kit, you'll be good to go.

Our people remain at the heart of everything we do, and we're committed to building an Agency that not only reflects the diverse communities we serve, but also champions inclusion in how we shape homes and places across the country. For more information about our EDI strategy please see our Homes England equality, diversity and inclusion reports - Homes England equality, diversity and inclusion reports - GOV.UK

You will be required to have the Right to Work in the UK and Homes England do not offer visa sponsorship. If your application is shortlisted to interview we will require you to provide proof of your Right to Work in the UK at this stage.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.