Head of External Affairs

As the UK's independent policing think tank the Police Foundation is the only independent body in the UK dedicated to researching, promoting, and improving policing for the benefit of the public. Through rigorous evidence, innovative ideas, and trusted partnerships, we bridge the gap between police, government, academia, and communities to deliver better policing and a safer society.

As we grow our impact, we are creating a new senior leadership role to elevate our external presence, scale our events and partnerships, and boost our engagement.

Location: London (Hybrid - 3 days per week in our central London office)

Salary: Competitive: Up to £65,000 per annum depending on experience, plus excellent benefits including 32 days paid leave, flexible working and annual 4-week work from anywhere entitlement.

Contract: Permanent, full-time (or option for fractional part-time; 3 or 4 days a week).

The opportunity

This is a brand-new, high-visibility role at the heart of our organisation. You will lead and shape our external affairs function, overseeing events, marketing, and partner/sponsor relations. Reporting to the Director, you will play a pivotal role in raising the profile of the Police Foundation, building strategic relationships, and ensuring our evidence and ideas reach the widest possible audience of policymakers, police leaders, funders, and the public.

This is an exciting time to join a respected, independent think tank with ambitious plans for growth. You will have significant autonomy to design and deliver high-impact strategies, where your work directly contributes to safer communities and better policing.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive external affairs strategy covering engagement, marketing, strategic communications, public and private events, and partnership development.
• Lead the planning and delivery of a portfolio of high-profile events, from intimate discussion dinners and policy roundtables to major national conferences and residential summits.
• Drive marketing initiatives to amplify our research, reports, and thought leadership across digital, print, and media channels.
• Build and nurture a strong network of sponsors, partners, and funders, securing sustainable support for our work.
• Work alongside our Head of Research to manage other staff and foster a collaborative and creative culture.
• Work closely with the senior leadership team to align external activities with organisational strategy and impact goals.

Work arrangements

• Hybrid working: This is a hybrid role. We believe performance is optimised with a blend of in-office time and remote working. The role requires a minimum 3 days per week in our London office (Victoria), with flexibility for the remaining time (subject to organisational needs).
• Flexible working benefits: We support flexible hours and patterns to help you balance work with personal commitments. Many of us, including the Director, have school age children and/or elderly relatives and we work hard to be a genuinely family friendly employer. We offer up to 4 weeks each year of 'work from anywhere' entitlement and three 'remote reading weeks' per year for hybrid employees.
• Irregular hours commitment: Our standard hours are 9.30am-5.30pm but regular attendance at breakfast or evening functions and occasional weekend events once or twice a year are required, with time off in lieu provided.
• Other entitlements - Our office is closed between Christmas and New Year every year. We offer a 5% employer pension contribution, and a supportive, innovative culture where training and development opportunities are encouraged.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Significant senior-level experience in external affairs, communications, marketing, events, or partnership development - ideally in a think tank, charity, public sector, or related mission-driven organisation.
• Proven track record of successfully planning and delivering high-profile events and marketing campaigns that achieve measurable impact.
• Strong experience in building and managing strategic partnerships and sponsorship relationships, with a demonstrable ability to secure funding or support and to develop and maintain good supporter relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, including police leaders, civil servants, policymakers, and media.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute integrated external affairs plans and develop innovative new events and partnership opportunities.
• Highly organised, with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and a busy events schedule.
• Commitment to the values of independent research, the virtues of democratic policing, and the mission to improve policing for the benefit of the public. The Police Foundation is a registered charity and is non-partisan.

Desirable criteria

• Recent experience of curating impactful events and developing compelling marketing materials.
• Experience working in or with the policing, criminal justice, or public policy sectors in the UK.
• Knowledge of the UK political and media landscape, particularly as it relates to crime and policing.
• Experience of line management and team development.
• Digital marketing expertise, including social media strategy, content creation, and analytics.
• Existing networks in relevant sectors (policing, justice, government, philanthropy, or media).

We welcome applications from mid-career professionals with over 10 years' experience, and those with transferable experience from related sectors such as charities, think tanks, public affairs agencies, police staff associations, government communications, or corporate partners.

This role offers genuine autonomy, intellectual stimulation, and the chance to make a real difference. Join us in shaping the future of policing.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter (maximum 2 sides) by email explaining how you meet the essential criteria and why you are excited about this opportunity at the Police Foundation. Please include ROLE APPLICATION in the subject line.

Closing date: 6pm BST 30 September. Interviews are expected to take place in October. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised deadline if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Applications from agencies will not be accepted .

The Police Foundation is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Only those with the right to work in the UK are invited to apply.