Director of Communications and External Affairs

London, UK (On-site)

Salary Not AvailableDirector/Executive5+ years expFull time

Posted 18 hrs ago

Job Summary

Leads Catch22’s external affairs and communications strategy to strengthen reputation, influence policy, and drive growth, while building an inclusive, high-performing team and embedding lived experiences in organisational priorities.

  • Owns the external affairs and communications function, shaping national narrative and public debate
  • Builds trusted relationships with policymakers, funders, commissioners and partners
  • Uses evidence and storytelling to influence policy and drive system reform

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Lead Catch22's communications and external affairs strategy, strengthening our influence and reputation across the sector.
  • Champion the voices and lived experiences of the people we support, ensuring they shape organisational priorities and public debate.
  • Build trusted relationships with commissioners, funders, policymakers, partners, regulators and influencers.
  • Strengthen the Catch22 brand, growing recognition, credibility and trust nationally.
  • Lead communications through periods of change, challenge and opportunity with confidence, judgement and integrity.
  • Use insight, evidence and storytelling to influence public policy and contribute to meaningful system reform.
  • Support the organisation's growth ambitions by ensuring that communications activity directly supports strategy, delivery and impact.
  • Inspire and develop high-performing, inclusive teams while fostering a strong One Catch22 culture.

Requirements

  • Educated to degree level with a relevant management qualification or equivalent
  • Strong financial and commercial understanding, including assessment of value, risk and long-term sustainability
  • A track record of successful political influencing work, including building cross-party support, through relationship-building, advocacy and media work
  • Exemplary influencing skills at all levels of an organisation, with the ability to maintain and extend stakeholder and customer relationships and to analyse and provide advice on complex issues
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, able to translate complex issue into clear, compelling narratives
  • Significant senior-level experience leading communications, policy, campaigning and/or external affairs functions
  • Proven experience of political and system-level influencing, including working with government, commissioners, media and partners
  • Successful experience of leading, motivating and developing people at all levels
  • Strategic thinking around marketplaces, audiences, organisations and stakeholders
  • Demonstrable experience of setting organisational direction, navigating ambiguity and advancing organisational culture and performance.

Benefits

  • 33 days annual leave (plus 8 public holidays)
  • Approved workplace pension scheme with a matching employer contribution of 4%
  • 3 x salary life insurance
  • Employee Assistance Programme & GP helpline
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Catch22

3.3 Glassdoor

Catch22 is a social business, a not for profit business with a social mission. For over 200 years we have designed and delivered services that build resilience and aspiration in people and communities. Catch22 is at the forefront of public service delivery. Our staff work in prisons, alternative provision schools, colleges, and in a range of community settings – improving the lives of over 160,000 people each year.

Founded in 1982
London, England, GBR
1.1K employees (20 in marketing)
1% recommend to a friend
1% CEO approval

Marketing Team

Marketing Team Size
20 (2% of company)
Marketing Roles Posted (Last 30 Days)
1

Funding

Last Raise
Grant

Funding History

  • Jul 2014
    Grant

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
39.9K
Traffic Source Mix
Search
61%
Direct
27.3%
Referral
5.2%
Social
4.5%
Paid
0.1%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~1.1K

Recent News

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Director of Communications and External Affairs

Catch22 · London, UK · On-site