External Affairs Director

Greater Birmingham Chambers; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is seeking an exceptional External Affairs Director to strengthen our influence, grow our network and ensure the voice of Birmingham’s business community is heard where it matters most. You will lead external affairs, policy and advocacy, strategic relationships, media and communications, reporting to the CEO and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team.

The role offers hybrid working with two to three days in the Birmingham office, and opportunities to shape

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience across external affairs and policy.
• Strong stakeholder and political judgement with commercial awareness.
• Experience leading teams and communicating at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering the organisation's external affairs strategy.
• Building influential relationships with business leaders and policymakers.
• Identifying sponsorship opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Providing strategic direction across media, communications, policy, and advocacy.
• Representing the organisation at senior meetings, events, and in the media.
• Leading and developing a high-performing team.

Skills

Senior-level external affairs

Job description

Salary: Competitive
Location: Birmingham, with hybrid working
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Closing date: 30 th October

Open doors. Influence decisions. Create opportunities that matter.

Greater Birmingham is home to ambitious businesses, influential leaders and significant opportunities. At Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, we bring those people and possibilities together, champion the interests of our members and help shape the conditions in which businesses can succeed.

We are looking for an exceptional External Affairs Director to strengthen our influence, grow our network and ensure the voice of Greater Birmingham's business community is heard where it matters most.

Reporting to the CEO and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, you will lead external affairs, policy and advocacy, strategic relationships, media and communications. You will strengthen the organisation's influence and profile, build relationships with senior business and public‑sector leaders, and ensure the regional business community is represented where it matters most.

The Role

Leading an established team, key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and delivering the organisation's external affairs strategy.
• Building influential relationships with business leaders, policymakers, local authorities and regional stakeholders.
• Developing and retaining strategic corporate relationships and partnerships, notably with GBCC Patrons.
• Identifying commercial and sponsorship opportunities.
• Providing strategic direction across media, communications, policy, research & advocacy activity
• Representing the organisation at senior meetings, events and in the media.
• Leading and developing a high-performing team.

About You

You will bring senior-level experience across external affairs, public affairs, corporate affairs, policy, strategic communications or a related discipline.

You will combine strong stakeholder and political judgement with commercial awareness, with the ability to build trusted relationships, influence senior decision-makers and turn opportunities into action.

You will also have experience leading teams, communicating confidently at senior level and navigating complex or sensitive stakeholder environments.

Experience within an agency, private-sector, membership, trade association or business representative organisation would be advantageous, as would established regional networks.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of business, public policy, communications and regional leadership, engaging with influential organisations and decision-makers while shaping the organisation's external agenda and impact.

The role offers hybrid working, typically with two to three days per week in the Birmingham office, alongside meetings and events across the region.