Director of External Affairs

Octopus Energy Ltd; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy organization is seeking a Director of External Affairs to shape external relations and elevate its profile on energy transition policies. The successful candidate will offer strategic leadership, manage stakeholder engagement, and contribute to the organization's visibility in critical energy discussions. Applicants should have over 10 years in strategic communications within the energy sector and a robust network across various stakeholders. This full-time position is based in central London and requires in-office presence, with no remote work options.

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience of strategic communications, policy and/or public affairs.
• Experience in the energy sector with a strong network.
• Strong analytical capability to communicate technical research.

Responsibilities

• Drive an integrated external affairs strategy aligning with CNZ's mission.
• Manage senior relationships with government departments and stakeholders.
• Curate content to advance energy transitions and maintain visibility.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public affairs

Excellent communication abilities

Analytical capability

Media management

Job description

We're looking for a Director of External Affairs at Centre for Net Zero (CNZ), a non‑profit, open research institute, established by the Octopus Energy Group. This role will lead and shape CNZ's external interface with policymakers, regulators, industry, grid players and innovators to maximise influence, elevate institutional profile and accelerate the adoption of evidence‑based energy transition policy and practice. The director is responsible for CNZ's reputation as a trusted, global authority on flexible energy systems, innovation‑driven energy systems change, and accelerated decarbonisation pathways. You'll be based in London and report into the Chief Executive. Applicants must be able to work from CNZ's central London office, with occasional travel to other locations in the UK and internationally. Due to the nature of this role, remote working is not offered.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership- Drive an integrated external affairs strategy that aligns with CNZ's mission to eliminate fossil fuels from energy systems by reshaping demand. - Provide strategic counsel to the executive team on macro policy shifts, political opportunity and risk, and stakeholder priorities, to inform organisational agenda. - Lead cross‑institution planning on campaigns and engagement to drive electrification and decarbonisation.
• Stakeholder engagement- Hold senior relationships across government departments, regulators and policy teams. - Leverage CNZ's evidence and insights to drive the development of progressive energy and tech policy. - Brief Ministers and parliamentary stakeholders on CNZ research implications for energy demand, flexibility and system decarbonisation. - Strengthen relationships with policy‑leaders, think tanks, industry coalitions, NGOs and academic partners to amplify shared objectives. - Build strategic alliances that open channels to new policy debates, markets and funding. - Represent CNZ at expert roundtables, conferences and public forums.
• Thought leadership- Shape an authoritative external narrative reflecting CNZ's rigorous evidence base, ensuring clarity and impact across key audiences. - Curate content for owned, earned and paid channels that help advance energy transitions (e.g. speeches, opinion pieces, reports, events). - Elevate visibility through curated participation in high‑profile stakeholder gatherings.
• Reputation- Oversee media engagement to maintain a proactive voice on key issues. - Anticipate and manage reputational risks with rapid responses and aligned communications.
• Team leadership- Lead, mentor and build functional capabilities within the external affairs team. - Ensure effective collaboration with different CNZ teams to translate technical insight into high‑impact outcomes.

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience of strategic communications, policy and/or public affairs.
• Experience in the energy sector – and an extensive network of connections, from political advisers and leading journalists to progressive thinkers and innovators.
• A motivated and passionate self‑starter needing limited oversight beyond strategic guidance.
• Excellent communications abilities and a track record of speaking and influencing in high‑profile international settings.
• Strong analytical capability – you will need to understand detailed, technical research and communicate it to stakeholders persuasively in accessible language.
• Experience in media management and crisis comms.
• Line management experience and management of contractors an advantage.