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- Tasks: Lead external affairs strategy and shape Lancashire's public narrative.
- Company: Lancashire County Council, committed to community impact and strong leadership.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and supportive leadership environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career development in a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in how Lancashire is perceived and engaged with.
- Qualifications: Experience in external affairs, strong networking, and relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 77833 - 85119 ÂŁ per year.
Salary ÂŁ77,833 - ÂŁ85,119 per annum | Full time | Hybrid working | County Hall, Preston
About the role
We are looking for an experienced, confident and politically astute Head of External Affairs to lead how we position, influence and represent Lancashire at local, regional and national level. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for shaping the council’s external narrative, managing reputation and profile, and ensuring our engagement with partners, stakeholders, media and opinion‑formers is purposeful, coordinated and focused on impact. You will play a critical role in ensuring Lancashire has a clear, credible and confident voice in key conversations.
Reporting to the Director of Communities and Engagement, you will work closely with elected members, the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team, providing strategic advice and leadership on external engagement, influence and reputation management. It goes without saying that your strong networking and relationship building skills will really stand you in good stead as you represent the Council's best interests with all our stakeholders. We know you will love the community impact of this role and having the ability to see your work directly improve the quality of life for residents will be a key driver for you.
What you’ll be responsible for
- Lead the development and delivery of an external affairs strategy aligned to the Council Plan, place priorities and major reform agendas.
- Act as the council’s senior professional lead on external positioning, influence and reputation management.
- Shape and own the council’s external narrative—ensuring consistent, credible and compelling messaging about Lancashire’s priorities, achievements and ambitions.
- Advise elected members and senior leaders on high‑profile issues, external risks and opportunities, stakeholder positioning and engagement approaches.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners and stakeholders across local government, central government, public services, business, the voluntary sector and beyond.
- Oversee strategic engagement with regional and national bodies, ensuring our activity is targeted where it adds most value for Lancashire.
- Ensure external engagement activity is coordinated, high‑quality and focused on delivering tangible outcomes rather than being reactive or fragmented.
- Provide senior leadership within the Communities and Engagement directorate, modelling collaborative, confident and inclusive leadership.
Why join us?
We are a county full of strong communities, proud places and big ambitions. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape how Lancashire is seen, heard and be influential at a time of significant change for local government and public services. You will really hone and develop your skills as you work with external partners on strategic developments in a dynamic work environment. Development and practical delivery of creative solutions for positioning the work of the Council publicly in a manner that creates a positive perspective of the organisation delivering for Lancashire. We offer flexible and hybrid working, a supportive senior leadership environment, and the chance to have real impact on the future of our county.
Interested? There is only so much we can fit in our advert so we really welcome interested people to contact Clare Coupe our Director of Communities and Engagement to have a confidential and informal chat about the role: clare.coupe@lancashire.gov.uk
Closing Date: 25/05/2026 | Interview Date: 11/06/2026
Head of External Affairs in Preston employer: Lancashire County Council
Contact Detail:
Lancashire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of External Affairs in Preston
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in your industry! Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Show Your Passion
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through. Talk about why you care about external affairs and how you can make a difference in Lancashire. Genuine passion is hard to ignore!
✨Prepare for Informal Chats
Don’t underestimate the power of informal conversations. If you can, reach out to Clare Coupe or others in the organisation for a casual chat about the role. It’s a great way to show your interest and get insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Follow Up with Impact
After any meeting or interview, send a thoughtful follow-up message. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your fit for the role. It shows you’re proactive and genuinely interested in making an impact!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of External Affairs in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of External Affairs role. Highlight your experience in external positioning and reputation management, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Your Networking Skills: We want to see how you build and maintain relationships! Use examples from your past roles to demonstrate your strong networking abilities and how they’ve positively impacted your previous organisations.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your achievements and how they relate to the role.
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 this exciting opportunity to shape Lancashire’s future.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lancashire County Council
✨Know Your Narrative
Before the interview, make sure you understand the council's current narrative and priorities. Be ready to discuss how you can shape and enhance this narrative, ensuring it aligns with Lancashire’s ambitions. This shows you’re not just interested in the role but are already thinking strategically about its impact.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your networking skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully built relationships with stakeholders in the past. Think about specific instances where your engagement led to positive outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with key partners and influence effectively.
✨Stay Politically Astute
Brush up on local and national political issues that may affect Lancashire. Being able to discuss these topics intelligently will show your awareness and readiness to navigate the political landscape. It’s all about demonstrating that you can represent the council’s interests confidently.
✨Showcase Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach, especially in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you’ve modelled inclusive leadership in previous roles. This is crucial for a senior position like Head of External Affairs, where leading by example is key to success.