Head of External Affairs Full Time

Full Job Description

The Department of Health and Social Care is hiring a Head of External Affairs for a senior communications role based in London or Leeds. The position offers a salary of £73,559 to £77,960.48 per year and is offered on a full-time, fixed-term basis until 2 November 2027. The role is focused on leading external affairs and building strong relationships with important stakeholders across the NHS, social care, patient and charity organisations, professional bodies and industry. The successful candidate will provide strategic advice to ministers, senior officials and leadership teams, helping them engage effectively with external partners. The role also involves developing and delivering an external affairs strategy that supports the department’s wider communications objectives and priorities.

The successful candidate will lead and develop a team of external affairs professionals, set clear objectives and support the team’s professional growth. They will also provide senior advice on stakeholder positioning, sensitivities and reputational risk, particularly around major announcements, legislative changes and public health issues. Working closely with media, strategic communications and internal communications teams will be an important part of the role, helping maintain a consistent approach to external affairs and stakeholder engagement. The position is offered with hybrid working, with the current expectation that at least 60% of working time will be spent in the office. Applicants can express a preference for London or Leeds, although the role can only be worked in the UK and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in external affairs, public affairs or stakeholder engagement.
• Experience developing and delivering strategic approaches that support organisational objectives.
• Strong experience engaging and influencing senior leaders and external partners.
• Excellent judgement and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and complex issues.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex information clearly to senior leaders and different audiences.
• Experience building collaborative relationships across complex organisations is desirable.
• Experience leading stakeholder engagement during significant organisational or policy change is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the external affairs strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders.
• Engage with NHS, social care providers, patient and charity organisations, professional bodies and industry.
• Provide strategic advice to ministers, senior officials and leadership teams.
• Lead and develop a high-performing external affairs team.
• Set clear objectives and support team members’ professional development.
• Advise on stakeholder positioning, sensitivities and reputational risk.
• Work closely with media, strategic communications and internal communications teams.
• Monitor emerging issues and opportunities and use insight to shape engagement strategies.

Benefits

• Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Learning and development tailored to the role.
• Flexible working options.
• An inclusive and diverse working environment.
• Annual leave.
• Sick pay.
• Childcare-related support.
• Hybrid working opportunities.
• 37 hours per week for full-time staff.
• Annual leave starting at 25 days, rising to a maximum of 30 days with completed years of service.
• Occupational sick pay.
• 6-month probation period.