Strategic Lead, Policy, PR & Civic Affairs in Orpington

This is a pivotal leadership role in shaping and amplifying Elevare’s civic voice, public influence and reputation across education, skills and place-based reform. You will lead integrated policy, public affairs and communications strategies—positioning Elevare as a trusted thought and system leader locally, regionally and nationally.

The role combines strategic policy leadership, external affairs, reputation and risk management, and high-impact communications and stakeholder engagement—ensuring Elevare’s work influences debate, informs decision-making, and contributes positively to civic outcomes across our College, Trust and Foundation.

You will also provide support on corporate and internal communications where needed, including crisis communications, curating and writing thought leadership articles and collections, stakeholder communications, media relations, speech writing, podcasts, award submissions, bids and grant applications—and project management support for key strategic projects.

About You (What we’re looking for)

You will bring significant experience in PR, communications and/or external affairs, and you will be confident operating in complex, high-stakes environments across education and civic systems.

• Proven strategic stakeholder engagement and influencing experience.
• Strong media relations capability and excellent writing/content creation skills.
• Crisis communications experience (essential).
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple projects, and juggle competing priorities.
• Knowledge of digital marketing and social media strategies.
• Demonstrable ability to horizon scan education policy and translate it into opportunities for our organisations.
• Commitment to inclusion, social value, public benefit and ethical practice.

Qualifications:

A degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in Communications/ PR/Journalism/Marketing (or related).

Safeguarding

The College, Trust and Foundation are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

About Us

For more than a decade we have cultivated our organisational identity and built deep roots in our communities—developing a strong reputation, first as a social enterprise and now as a civic organisation. Our civic mission is to transform lives through the power of learning—understanding, caring deeply, and making a positive impact on the lived experience of our students, staff, stakeholders, and communities. Our culture is grounded in the STARS framework—Stand Out, Teamwork, Accountable, Respectful—which defines the behaviours we expect and the leadership we champion across our Group.

Benefits

We offer a highly competitive benefits package, including excellent annual leave and a generous pension through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme depending on role. Additional benefits include:

• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Annual season ticket loan
• Access to the Discounts for Teachers portal
• Free Wi-Fi access in over 10,000 locations worldwide through Eduroam
• Access to our on-site gym at Bromley campus and discount at other local gyms
• Discounts in our in-house restaurants and on hair and beauty treatments

Equal Opportunities

London South East Colleges is fully committed to equality of opportunity and to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful working environment, free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, parental status or marital or partnership status.

As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we guarantee an interview to applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact People Services at peopleservices@lsec.ac.uk.

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we carry out social media checks on shortlisted candidates to assess suitability for working with children and young people. Our full Safeguarding policy can be found here.

Because we work with children and vulnerable adults, all roles are exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and, where relevant, a Children’s and/or Adult’s Barred List check. Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if these checks are unsatisfactory. Self-disclosure is required as part of the recruitment process, and failure to disclose relevant information or provide a DBS certificate is likely to result in withdrawal of an offer. Our DBS policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on request. All appointments are also subject to verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with Home Office requirements. Original documentation will be required prior to commencement of employment.