Head of External Relations (deadline: 28 September) in London

We are looking for a Head of External Relations to lead delivery of and strengthen Plunkett UK’s communications, marketing, membership and partnership activity.
Role: Head of External Relations
Reporting to: Chief Executive
Line Reports: Communications Manager, Policy Manager, Partnerships Manager (Suppliers and Membership)
Salary Band: £40,000 – £65,945 gross per annum
Contract: Full-time and permanent
Location: Woodstock, Oxfordshire. We value in-person collaboration and this role is primarily office based, with flexibility available where appropriate and regular travel across the UK.
The Head of External Relations will lead delivery of Plunkett UK’s Stronger Movement strategic priority, strengthening the organisation’s visibility, influence, membership and external relationships.
The postholder will lead Plunkett UK's communications, marketing, membership and partnership activity, ensuring the organisation is better understood, more visible and more influential among the audiences that matter most to our mission, while helping to build a stronger and more connected rural community business movement.
We are particularly looking for someone whose experience, energy and passion lean towards strategic communications and marketing.
A particular priority for this role will be to strengthen Plunkett’s communications and marketing. We have a strong story to tell, but we know that our impact, expertise and role within the rural community business movement are not always sufficiently recognised by community businesses, funders, policymakers, corporate partners and other stakeholders.
The postholder will bring strategic leadership, initiative and creativity to how Plunkett presents itself, helping ensure our work is understood and our voice is heard.
The role will also provide clear ownership of Plunkett’s membership strategy, and help build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across government, funders, membership suppliers, partners and the wider social economy.
The successful candidate should have the following skills and attributes:
A strategic communicator – able to turn complex ideas into clear, persuasive and memorable messages.
Marketing-minded – focused on audiences, positioning, reach and converting awareness into action.
Creative and proactive – bringing ideas, energy and momentum rather than waiting for direction.
A strong leader and coach – able to inspire colleagues, build confidence and create ownership.
Collaborative – comfortable working across teams and through other managers to achieve shared goals.
Commercially aware – able to connect external relations activity with membership growth, partnerships, fundraising and wider organisational sustainability.
Politically astute – confident operating with senior stakeholders while maintaining Plunkett’s independence and apolitical stance.
A relationship builder – able to develop trusted relationships with members, funders, policymakers, partners and suppliers.
Accountable – committed to Plunkett’s principle of listening first and acting second, using evidence and insight to guide decisions.
We are committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and our approach goes beyond ‘protected characteristics’ to thinking more broadly about inclusion. Every individual will think and feel differently and we believe that these differences should be embraced, and individual needs taken into