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- Tasks: Lead strategic relationships and drive external engagement for Active Travel England.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on making streets safer and more accessible.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities by promoting active travel initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in local transport and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development opportunities await you.
The predicted salary is between 69501 - 69501 £ per year.
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 5th April 2026.
Salary: £69,501 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Active Travel England (ATE) enables people nationwide to be more active by making streets safer and more accessible for walking, wheeling and cycling. As Head of External Engagement, you will lead strategic relationships with local authorities, mayoral combined authorities and senior partners across government, ensuring the right support is in place to deliver high-quality active travel outcomes. You will lead stakeholder relationships for Active Travel England, coordinate regional teams, and support local authorities in delivering active travel schemes. You will drive external engagement, foster partnerships across government and local bodies, and ensure strategic objectives are met. Strong communication, coordination, and leadership skills are essential as you advance ATE’s mission for safer, healthier, and more sustainable communities.
Top Responsibilities
- Act as the main liaison on active travel issues, representing ATE in wider transport policy and government priorities such as decarbonisation.
- Provide trusted strategic advice to the Commissioner on stakeholder engagement, communications, and reputational matters.
- Lead accurate and tailored briefings and presentations in collaboration with policy, communications, and private office teams.
- Maintain strong relationships with key bodies including regional government departments, third sector organisations, and Mayoral Combined Authorities.
- Determine and coordinate ATE services for local authorities, including scheme design assurance, funding, and data requirements for monitoring and evaluation.
- Support governance and oversight through ATE’s PMO, reporting relevant issues to senior management.
- Monitor progress of schemes across a £4bn portfolio, recommending financial change control decisions and ensuring design compliance.
- Lead the External Engagement Team, managing regional responsibilities and the Commissioner’s speaking calendar to meet strategic objectives.
Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
About You
You will have the ability to deal with uncertainty, keep in mind the bigger picture and look beyond the status quo to see how things could be improved. You will lead your teams to effectively deliver against ATE’s priorities whilst fostering a happy and supportive working environment for your team. You will communicate clearly, honestly and persuasively with your team, ATE colleagues and external stakeholders whilst also welcoming their insights or constructive challenge. You will adopt a cross-organisation and cross-government perspective and ensure your team’s work reflects wider Government policy and where appropriate, challenges and improves delivery for the benefit of citizens.
Required Experience
- Experience of local transport to a senior level, either locally or nationally, with an understanding of local authority perspectives in developing transport policy and infrastructure.
- Experience of building effective relationships with senior external stakeholders.
- Experience of strategic delivery of key initiatives, projects, or policies across regions.
- Excellent communication and external relations handling skills.
How to Apply
Read the full description and apply here: https://bit.ly/4rETJJM. This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 5th April 2026.
Head of External Engagement employer: Active Travel England
Contact Detail:
Active Travel England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of External Engagement
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Active Travel England. Attend events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its mission. Understand their current projects and challenges in active travel. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As Head of External Engagement, you'll need to convey ideas clearly and persuasively. Try mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to refine your pitch and get comfortable discussing your experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, go ahead and submit your application before the deadline!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of External Engagement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Head of External Engagement, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and get straight to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and understand, so keep it simple and impactful.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As this role requires strong communication abilities, make sure to highlight any relevant experiences where you’ve successfully engaged with stakeholders or led teams. We’re looking for examples that demonstrate your knack for clear and persuasive communication.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do – just follow the link in the job description!
How to prepare for a job interview at Active Travel England
✨Know Your Stakeholders
Before the interview, research the key stakeholders you’ll be engaging with as Head of External Engagement. Understand their priorities and how they align with Active Travel England's mission. This will help you demonstrate your ability to build effective relationships and provide tailored strategic advice.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've successfully communicated complex ideas to diverse audiences. Highlight your experience in leading briefings and presentations, as this role requires strong communication skills to engage with local authorities and government bodies effectively.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to talk about how you've dealt with uncertainty and improved processes in previous roles. Share examples of how you've led teams to deliver strategic objectives while fostering a supportive environment, showcasing your leadership capabilities.
✨Align with ATE’s Vision
Familiarise yourself with Active Travel England's goals and recent initiatives. During the interview, express how your experience aligns with their mission for safer, healthier communities. This shows your commitment and understanding of the role's impact on citizens.