At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the External Affairs team to advocate for better school food and food education.
- Company: Join Chefs in Schools, a mission-driven organisation transforming children's health through food.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, hybrid model, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and influence in a growing organisation.
- Why this job: Be a voice for change in children's nutrition and food literacy.
- Qualifications: Experience in advocacy, media, and a passion for improving children's health.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
Employment Type: Full time (Open to part time hours, minimum 4 days a week)
Location: Hybrid · Brixton, UK (Hybrid, with regular time in our Brixton office and external meetings)
Team: External Affairs
Seniority: Mid-level, Senior
Closing: 11:55pm, 28th Aug 2026 BST
ABOUT CHEFS IN SCHOOLS
Chefs in Schools exists to improve children’s health and futures through better school food and meaningful food education. We work alongside schools and catering teams to transform what children eat every day, particularly in communities facing the greatest barriers to good health. We combine practical support, training, operational expertise and sector influence to help schools serve fresh, nutritious food that supports food literacy and healthy development. We’re backed by some of the biggest names in food and are ambitious about both impact and scale. We want every child to access excellent school food and daily food education, regardless of background. We are a values-led organisation - bold, honest, collaborative, innovative and focused on solutions.
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
Hunger, limited access to nutritious food and exposure to junk food advertising are proven to harm child health. You'll help us make the case that schools must be a haven where all children can access nutritious, exciting food that fuels healthy development and embeds food literacy for life. You will lead the delivery of Chefs in Schools External Affairs function, ultimately ensuring there is widespread recognition that poor quality school food is unacceptable and that the new school food standards are a vital health intervention. Through integrated media, digital and advocacy work, you’ll ensure quality school food is viewed as essential for healthy development and strong food literacy.
WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
You will turn strategic direction into coordinated delivery, leading a multidisciplinary team that increases our influence, strengthens our reputation and helps achieve meaningful improvements in school food. Working closely with the Director of External Affairs and Chief Executive, you will ensure our public profile, policy influence and media work reinforce one another, while creating the management capacity required for a growing organisation. This builds on the new functional structure where media and content, policy and campaigns, and the School Food Review programme all sit within External Affairs. We want Chefs in Schools to become the most trusted and recognisable voice in the conversation around school food and food literacy. This role will play a central part in building that influence and recognition. We also want to create a sense of excitement around the potential of school food. Not only does it fuel children, it sparks curiosity and builds connections. We are looking for somebody who understands that influence is built through consistency, credibility, creativity and cultural relevance as much as through formal communications activity alone.
Head of External Affairs employer: Be Applied Ltd
Be Applied Ltd is an exceptional employer that values strategic leadership and collaboration, offering a hybrid working environment that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the company fosters a culture of innovation and teamwork, ensuring that every team member has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to meaningful projects in the space sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of External Affairs
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Be Applied Ltd.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Be Applied Ltd.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Be Applied Ltd.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Be Applied Ltd. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of External Affairs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Be Applied Ltd. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of External Affairs, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Be Applied Ltd
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Be Applied Ltd. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
