Interim Director Of External Affairs

Merrifield Consultants; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 56,000; Part time

Job summary

A consulting firm is seeking an Interim Director of External Affairs for a 6-month contract with Autistica in London. The role involves building crucial relationships to ensure autism research and policies remain key priorities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in leadership, communications, and managing diverse teams. Responsibilities include overseeing operational plans and championing the organization's mission. This part-time position operates within a 4-day week, with one day in the office.

Qualifications

• Experience as head of department overseeing resource management.
• Track record of leading organizational change and process improvements.
• Ability to inspire and lead diverse teams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Ensure autism research remains a priority with government bodies.
• Build collaborations with related organizations.
• Oversee implementation of operational plans and reporting cycles.

Skills

Leadership and management skills

Experience in communications

Ability to work with neurodiverse teams

Job description

Merrifield Consultants is delighted to partner with Autistica to find an Interim Director of External Affairs (6‑month contract) to join the senior management team and be responsible for building the relationships that ensure Autistica creates breakthroughs for autistic people over the next decade. You will fit in well at Autistica if you are passionate about enabling high performance and you value working with a team that thinks in diverse ways.

Job Title: Interim Director of External Affairs

Organisation: Autistica

Salary: £55,692.00

Contract: 6‑month maternity contract

Hours: 0.8 contract, over a 4‑day working week. Autistica operates a 4‑day working week.

Location: London (One day a week in the office)

Closing date: Monday 15th December 2025

About Autistica

Autistica is the UK's leading autism research and campaigning charity. Their mission is to create breakthroughs that enable autistic people to live happier, healthier lives. They make that happen by funding research, shaping policy and working with autistic people to make more of a difference.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure autism and autism research remain policy priorities, with Autistica continuing to have strong relationships with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England.
• Build constructive collaborations and relationships with organisations working in related areas to Autistica.
• Develop relationships with key members of parliament ahead of the election, and post‑election (both independently and in collaboration with other autism charities).
• Oversee, implement, and effectively deliver operational plans, a quarterly reporting cycle, monthly reporting of financial figures, and production of our annual report.
• Act as an effective visible leader and manager, passionately championing the charity's work and building confidence in our strategy and plans.
• Champion our values and mission with enthusiasm and consistency.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience of being at least “head of department” in an organisation overseeing planning, monitoring, management of resources within and across an organisation.
• Enjoys and has a track record of overseeing change, including system and process improvements.
• Experience of managing, leading or overseeing communications.
• Trustworthy and competent to others with the ability to oversee communications and policy.
• Able to motivate, inspire, empathize, work with, and lead a neurodiverse team and enable a high‑performance culture.
• Comfortable with nuance and uncertainty, with the motivation and resilience to tackle a fascinating but complex and contentious area of focus (autism and autism research).
• Constructively identifies opportunities to improve which will enable our mission.

How to Apply

To find out more and to apply for the role, please contact Stuart Milliner from Merrifield Consultants. Experience of CV and cover letter required.

Equal Opportunity

We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all we work with, irrespective of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. As an organisation, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and will ensure measures are met when required, to allow a fair process throughout.