Director of Communications and External Affairs

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

• up to £84,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience
• 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