Head of External Affairs

THE INSTITUTE OF CANCER RESEARCH; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute of Cancer Research in London (Chelsea) seeks a Head of External Affairs to lead external communications, media relations, advocacy and public engagement. You will shape a proactive external affairs strategy, protect reputation and influence policy to support fundraising and research impact.

You will manage a team, work with senior leaders and partners, and ensure clear, compelling communication of life-changing cancer research to diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering high-profile media relations and external affairs programmes.
• Strong news judgment and ability to translate complex science into accessible stories.
• Experience working with national media and managing reputation and risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the External Affairs team across media relations, advocacy and public engagement.
• Develop and deliver proactive media relations strategy for national and international coverage.
• Build relationships with journalists, researchers, policy stakeholders and partners.
• Oversee public affairs and advocacy aligning with strategic objectives.
• Lead reputation management, crisis communications and media readiness.
• Provide strategic communications advice and media training to senior leaders.
• Support fundraising and partnerships through external communications and storytelling.
• Contribute to leadership and planning of communications across the organisation.

Skills

Media relations

External affairs

Strategic leadership

Crisis communications

Job description

Development and Communications Directorate

Hours per week:35 hours per week (Full Time)

Location:Chelsea. This role is eligible for hybrid working.

Closing Date: 30th September 2026

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to lead external affairs for one of the world's leading cancer research organisations. As Head of External Affairs, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting our reputation, helping to raise awareness of our groundbreaking research, influence policy, engage the public and support fundraising objectives through high-impact communications activity. You will lead a talented team responsible for media relations, advocacy and public engagement, ensuring our work reaches influential audiences and drives meaningful impact.

Working closely with senior colleagues across the organisation and with key external partners, you will develop and deliver an ambitious external affairs strategy that secures high-quality media coverage, strengthens stakeholder relationships and advances organisational priorities. You will also lead on reputation management and crisis communications, providing expert counsel to senior leaders and helping the organisation navigate complex and fast-moving issues with confidence.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of science, communications, public affairs and public engagement, ensuring that life-changing research reaches the audiences who need to hear about it most.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the External Affairs team, covering media relations, advocacy and public engagement.
• Develop and deliver a proactive media relations strategy that secures impactful national and international coverage.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, researchers, policy stakeholders and partner organisations.
• Oversee public affairs and advocacy activity, ensuring it supports strategic objectives and policy priorities.
• Lead reputation management, crisis communications and media preparedness across the organisation.
• Provide strategic communications advice, briefings and media training to senior leaders and colleagues.
• Support fundraising and partnership objectives through effective external communications and storytelling.
• Contribute to the wider leadership and planning of communications activity across the organisation.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and strategic communications leader with a strong track record of delivering high-profile media relations and external affairs programmes. You will be an excellent communicator with outstanding news judgement, strong leadership skills and the ability to translate complex scientific information into compelling stories for a wide range of audiences. You will bring substantial experience of working with national media, managing reputation and risk, and delivering communications that support organisational and policy objectives.

You will be highly scientifically literate, with a genuine interest in science, medicine and health policy, and a passion for helping research make a difference. You will be comfortable building relationships with senior stakeholders, researchers, journalists and partner organisations, and able to influence effectively in complex environments. Experience of leading teams, managing multiple priorities and navigating fast-moving issues will be essential, while experience within the not-for-profit, research or higher education sectors would be particularly valuable.

Above all, you will be passionate about using communications and external affairs to advance our mission, raising awareness, building influence and helping deliver lasting impact for patients and the public.

What We Offer

• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Competitive salary and pension

Department/Directorate Information

The Development and Communications directorate tells the ICR’s story and focuses on income generation. The ICR is world-renowned for its outstanding cancer research – and it deserves communication to match. We believe that communicating effectively about the ICR's work can help us build on our successes – attracting donors and supporters, the best staff and students, commercial partners and collaborators.

We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more d etailed information regarding this role.

About The Institute of Cancer Research

Why work for us?

A s a member of staff, you'll have exclusive access to a range of staff benefits .

The ICR is committed to supporting overseas applicants applying for roles, please click here to find out further information.

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world's most influential cancer research institutes, with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. Further information about working at the ICR can be found here .

At the Institute of Cancer Research, we champion diversity as we believe it fuels innovation and drives impactful research. We welcome applicants from all walks of life, valuing diverse perspectives that enrich our work.

Don't let a checklist of qualifications hold you back – if you're passionate about the role, we want to hear from you. Your unique experiences and backgrounds contribute to the richness of our team. We are committed to being an equal opportunity for all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other dimension of diversity. Join us in creating an inclusive environment where everyone's voice is heard and valued.

Development and Communications Directorate