Director of External Relations (uk charity)

Civitas Recruitment Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Civitas Recruitment Ltd is assisting a well-established UK charity in hiring a Director of External Relations. This senior role leads on public affairs, communications and stakeholder engagement to position the organisation at the heart of policy discussions.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will shape strategy, build influential relationships, and drive policy change across Westminster, Whitehall and communities. A dynamic, politically astute leader is required.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in public affairs, external relations or related fields.
• Strong understanding of political environments and decision-makers.
• Proven track record of building momentum around issues or campaigns.
• Experience developing influential relationships across sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead external relations and public affairs strategy to build influence and visibility.
• Develop relationships with Whitehall, Westminster and other policy stakeholders.
• Lead public affairs activities and advise on political and external environments.
• Build coalitions across civil society, business and grassroots organisations.
• Ensure joined-up external engagement across communications, policy, campaigns and partnerships.
• Create compelling narratives to mobilise support and strengthen influence.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and drive a high-performing, outward-facing culture.
• Represent the organisation credibly with senior stakeholders and partners.

Skills

Senior leadership

Public affairs

External relations

Policy advocacy

Stakeholder engagement

Communications

Leadership

Relationship-building

Job description

London, Hybrid | £80,000 | Permanent | Full time

The Opportunity

Civitas Recruitment are delighted to be supporting a well-established UK charity in the search for a Director of External Relations. This is a senior leadership role for a dynamic and influential external affairs professional who can build momentum around the organisation's agenda, strengthen its voice with decision-makers and develop support from Westminster and Whitehall through to communities and grassroots networks.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and sitting on the Leadership Team, you will bring together public affairs, communications, stakeholder engagement, partnerships and wider external relations. You will help shape strategy, build influential relationships and ensure the organisation is well positioned to affect policy, public debate and legislative change.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver an ambitious external relations and public affairs strategy that builds influence, visibility and momentum.
• Develop strong relationships across Whitehall, Westminster and other key political and policy stakeholders, identifying opportunities to shape policy and legislation.
• Lead public affairs activity and provide senior advice on the political and external environment, emerging opportunities and risks.
• Build coalitions and partnerships across civil society, business, professional networks and grassroots organisations.
• Ensure external engagement is joined up across communications, policy, campaigns, partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Create compelling narratives and engagement strategies that can mobilise support and strengthen the organisation's influence.
• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, setting clear priorities and creating a high-performing, outward-facing culture.
• Represent the organisation externally with credibility and confidence, including with senior stakeholders, policymakers and partners.

The Candidate

We are looking for an energetic, politically astute senior leader who understands how influence is built both inside institutions and from the ground up. You will combine strategic judgement with pace, relationship-building ability and the confidence to turn ideas into visible external impact

• Significant senior leadership experience in public affairs, external relations, policy, campaigns, communications or a closely related field.
• A strong understanding of Whitehall, Westminster and the political and legislative environment, with experience influencing senior decision-makers.
• Demonstrable experience of building momentum around an issue, campaign or organisational agenda.
• A track record of developing influential relationships and partnerships across multiple sectors.
• Experience of coalition-building, community engagement or developing support at grassroots level.
• Strong people leadership skills and experience leading multidisciplinary teams through change.
• Excellent communication, judgement and influencing skills, with the ability to operate credibly across different audiences and perspectives.