Interim Director of External Affairs

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the development, implementation and alignment of strategic external affairs priorities across the Federation.
• Lead the delivery of the transformation programme relevant to external affairs with clarity, cohesion, and measurable results.
• Advise on strategic risks and opportunities in the external landscape.

• With the CEO, build and sustain strategic relationships with key external stakeholders, including the Home Office, HM Treasury, No.10, policing bodies, political representatives, think tanks, and public/private sector partners.
• Represent the Federation with credibility and influence at high-level engagements.

• Lead all public affairs activity, driving legislative and policy engagement that protects and promotes the interests of PFEW members.
• Develop external positioning and ensure alignment of messaging across all campaigns and public statements.

• Oversee the development of evidence-based policy that reflects members' priorities and the public interest.
• Ensure the embedding of robust research methodologies — both quantitative and qualitative — in policy formulation.
• Ensure consistency and clarity in external policy positions across the Federation.

• Ensure that the Federation’s transformation is clearly understood by key external stakeholders and helps to strengthen trust in the Federation’s direction and long term relevance.
• Foster a culture of adaptability across policy and external affairs functions.
• Embed a transformation mindset across strategy and external affairs functions.

• Establish and monitor strategic KPIs to measure policy impact, stakeholder engagement, public influence, and delivery of strategic goals.
• Leverage internal data and external intelligence to inform planning and decision making.
• Ensure performance metrics reflect and support member outcomes, public trust, and organisational credibility.

• Lead high-performing teams across policy and research, public and external affairs.
• Build capability and resilience across these functions, promoting cross-functional collaboration and professional development.
• Build internal capability in public affairs, policy, and strategic insight.

• Manage budgets effectively in support of strategic and advocacy activities.
• Ensure resources are prioritised against high-impact work.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Proven ability to lead transformational change programmes within complex organisations, ideally within the public sector. Experience of working with the policing sector would be an advantage.
• Strong track record of working with senior public officials, government departments (e.g. Home Office, HM Treasury), and political stakeholders to deliver tangible outcomes.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to operate credibly at senior levels, including with ministers, senior civil servants, and external partners.
• Deep understanding of the UK public sector landscape, particularly policing, justice, or related fields.
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams across policy, research, strategy, and communications functions.
• High-level analytical skills and the ability to turn insight into strategy, advocacy, and performance improvement.
• Strong personal resilience, sound judgment, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.

Benefits