Interim Director of External Affairs in Hedge End

Interim Director of External Affairs

Application Deadline: 5 October 2026

Department: Policy

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: HQ - Leatherhead

Reporting To: Interim CEO

Description

Status: FTC 6 months - Full time

Location: Leatherhead - Hybrid (minimum 2 days a week onsite)

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Department: CEO Office

Salary: Competitive

Interview Panel: Interim CEO and Principle Officer

Interview date: Week commencing 5th October

The Director of External Affairs at the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) is a leadership role that brings together strategic development, stakeholder engagement, and public advocacy. This post plays a pivotal role in enhancing PFEW’s national influence, strengthening relationships, and shaping public policy to better serve frontline officers.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Director acts as a key advisor to the CEO and National Board on the external environment, long-term strategy, and organisational positioning.

Success in this role has a direct and tangible impact on members — through stronger policy advocacy, improved public perception of policing, and more effective representation of officers’ needs and rights.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Drive the development, implementation and alignment of strategic external affairs priorities across the Federation.
• Lead the delivery of the transformation programme relevant to external affairs with clarity, cohesion, and measurable results.
• Advise on strategic risks and opportunities in the external landscape.

Stakeholder Engagement

• With the CEO, build and sustain strategic relationships with key external stakeholders, including the Home Office, HM Treasury, No.10, policing bodies, political representatives, think tanks, and public/private sector partners.
• Represent the Federation with credibility and influence at high-level engagements.

Public Affairs & Advocacy

• Lead all public affairs activity, driving legislative and policy engagement that protects and promotes the interests of PFEW members.
• Develop external positioning and ensure alignment of messaging across all campaigns and public statements.

Policy Development

• Oversee the development of evidence-based policy that reflects members' priorities and the public interest.
• Ensure the embedding of robust research methodologies - both quantitative and qualitative - in policy formulation.
• Ensure consistency and clarity in external policy positions across the Federation.

Change & Transformation

• Ensure that the Federation’s transformation is clearly understood by key external stakeholders and helps to strengthen trust in the Federation’s direction and long term relevance.
• Foster a culture of adaptability across policy and external affairs functions.
• Embed a transformation mindset across strategy and external affairs functions.

Performance & Insight

• Establish and monitor strategic KPIs to measure policy impact, stakeholder engagement, public influence, and delivery of strategic goals.
• Leverage internal data and external intelligence to inform planning and decision making.
• Ensure performance metrics reflect and support member outcomes, public trust, and organisational credibility.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead high-performing teams across policy and research, public and external affairs.
• Build capability and resilience across these functions, promoting cross-functional collaboration and professional development.
• Build internal capability in public affairs, policy, and strategic insight.

Budget Management

• Manage budgets effectively in support of strategic and advocacy activities.
• Ensure resources are prioritised against high-impact work.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Proven ability to lead transformational change programmes within complex organisations, ideally within the public sector. Experience of working with the policing sector would be an advantage.
• Strong track record of working with senior public officials, government departments (e.g. Home Office, HM Treasury), and political stakeholders to deliver tangible outcomes.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to operate credibly at senior levels, including with ministers, senior civil servants, and external partners.
• Deep understanding of the UK public sector landscape, particularly policing, justice, or related fields.
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams across policy, research, strategy, and communications functions.
• High-level analytical skills and the ability to turn insight into strategy, advocacy, and performance improvement.
• Strong personal resilience, sound judgement, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.

*Please note that these duties and responsibilities are not exhaustive and may be changed from time to time in line with the reasonable requirements of the Police Federation and as directed by the line manager, on behalf of the National Secretary, CEO or Director.

Benefits

We offer multiple benefits to our HQ employees including: working flexibly, hybrid working, competitive salary, life assurance, private healthcare, enhanced pension contribution, enhanced leave, employee assistance program, onsite free lunches and refreshments, free onsite gym, free onsite parking, 26 days holiday (increasing with length of service), mental health clinics, support for continuous professional development, employee discounts and more….

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