Head of External Affairs (Maternity Cover)

Thamesacademy; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 88,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave + Bank Holidays

Private Health Insurance

Generous pension scheme – up to 14%

Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Coun

Counselling and Physiotherapy

Cycle to Work Scheme

MyGymDiscounts

Reward and recognition portal

Job summary

The Port of London Authority is seeking a Head of External Affairs for a fixed-term maternity cover, based in London. You will lead external relations, engage with MPs and local government, and drive engagement with the Thames Vision goals.

You will coordinate with external groups, provide strategic counsel to senior leaders, and manage a team to maximise impact and value-for-money.

Qualifications

• Experience in senior-level stakeholder management in ports/maritime/transport & logistics or comparable sector.
• Familiar with policy making and how to establish influence.
• Existing networks in Whitehall, Westminster and City Hall, with focus on local government; effective political acumen.
• Proven ability to build networks to deliver policy change or improvements.
• Experienced line manager, able to lead a high-performing team.
• Ability to provide strategic counsel to senior leaders.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Maritime/transport/logistics experience would be beneficial; unionised workforce experience is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the Port of London Authority’s external affairs strategy and actions.
• Engage with MPs, Assembly Members and other elected representatives to advance PLA priorities.
• Lead engagement with external bodies and trade associations to maximise value-for-money.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders and support decision-making.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team within Corporate Affairs.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Policy making

Networking

Strategic counsel

People management

Communication skills

Maritime/logistics experience

Unionised workforce experience

Education

Degree level education

Job description

Head of External Affairs (Maternity Cover)

• Post Date: 2nd November 2026
• Apply Before: 13th November 2026
• Views 5

Job Description

Department: Corporate Affairs
Reporting to: Director of Corporate Affairs
Grade: 2
Salary: £88,362 per annum + £6,077 per annum car allowance
Contract: Fixed term (maternity cover)
Base: London (Walsingham House)
Closing date: 13 November 2026 (we may close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received ahead of the closing date)
Interview dates: In-person interviews are scheduled to take place on 1 and 3 December 2026, with successful candidates invited to a final-stage interview on 9 December 2026.

We are the UK’s biggest port, central to the country’s economy and ambitions for growth. We connect the UK to the world, but we are much more than a conventional port.

We are driven by our purpose to protect and improve the 95 mile stretch of the River Thames which is tidal – from Teddington Lock on the border of Surrey, through the heart of London, Kent, Essex and out to the North Sea.

The role

We are looking for an experienced Head of External Affairs to join the team on a fixed term contract, providing maternity leave cover for the role.

Whilst working with stakeholders and partners to build the PLA’s external reputation as a trusted port, you will also be responsible for increasing engagement with the Thames Vision strategy and its goals.

The successful candidate will use new and established networks and industry trade bodies/representative groups, proactively engaging with MPs, Assembly Members and other elected representatives to further the PLA’s business priorities and progress toward the Thames Vision goals.

You will coordinate the PLA’s role in external steering groups and memberships of representative organisations/trade bodies to ensure maximum benefit and value-for-money.

What we are looking for

You will be educated to degree level and/or have at least ten years’ equivalent experience.

• Experience in senior-level stakeholder management in the ports/maritime/transport & logistics industries or a comparable sector; used to working in a complex stakeholder environment, turning strategy into action.
• Familiar with policy making and how to establish influence.
• Existing networks in Whitehall, Westminster and City Hall, with a particular focus on local government; effective political antenna and acumen.
• Proven ability to build and leverage networks to deliver policy change or improvements.
• Experienced line manager, able to lead an engaged and high-performing team.
• Ability to provide strategic counsel to senior leaders.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Although maritime experience would be beneficial – transportation, logistics, police and utilities would all be an advantage.
• Experience of working in a highly unionised workforce.

Our behaviours

You naturally demonstrate our values:

• One Team – acting with integrity, delivering on commitments, and upholding safety and standards.
• Do the Right Thing – collaborating, valuing others’ expertise, and supporting colleagues.
• Always Improving – bringing fresh thinking, learning from mistakes and driving continuous improvement.

Benefits package

In return, we offer a competitive benefits package:

• 30 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
• Private Health Insurance
• Generous pension scheme – up to 14% employer contribution
• Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling and Physiotherapy
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to MyGymDiscounts
• Reward and recognition portal, with access to a range of discounts

For further information, or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Sian Foster (Director of Corporate Affairs) via her EA at [e-mail].

Inclusion Statement

The PLA are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Candidates will be assessed against the essential requirements for the role. Where candidates can demonstrate relevant transferable skills and experience, we encourage them to apply.

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.