Director of External Communications

Job title:

Director of External Communications

Location:

Hybrid working – Birmingham office at least 1 day per week

Contract:

Permanent

Hours:

Full-time (37 hours per week)
Salary: £90,000 per annum
Grade: 15 (Senior Civil Service 1 equivalent)
Job Req: EXE
10

This is one of the most influential communications leadership roles in UK regulation.

As Director of Communications at the Gambling Commission, you will be responsible for shaping how one of the UK’s most visible public bodies communicates with consumers, government, industry, media and stakeholders. Your work will directly influence public understanding, strengthen trust, and support our mission to make gambling safer, fairer and crime-free.

Reporting into the Executive Team and acting as a trusted adviser to the CEO, you will lead the strategic narrative of an organisation that sits at the centre of important national conversations around consumer protection, regulation, technology and social responsibility.

This is an opportunity to build and lead a modern, insight-driven communications function that delivers real impact across media relations, digital engagement, public affairs, stakeholder engagement and reputation management.

If you’re an ambitious communications leader who thrives in high-profile environments and wants to make a genuine difference to society, we’d love to hear from you.

Why this role matters

The Gambling Commission plays a critical role in protecting the public and ensuring gambling is conducted fairly, openly and safely across Great Britain. The decisions we make attract significant public, political and media interest. Effective communication is therefore fundamental to our success.

As Director of Communications, you will help shape national understanding of our work, build confidence in our regulatory approach and ensure our voice is trusted, authoritative and influential.

This is a unique opportunity to lead the Commission’s communications function, partnering with the CEO and Executive Committee to shape public understanding, influence key stakeholders and strengthen trust in an organisation that serves millions across Great Britain.

Our offer to you:

- Civil Service Pension, with 28.97% employer contribution. Click for more information
- 26 days’ holiday, rising to 29 days after two years’ service (pro rata)
- Holiday purchase scheme (option to buy up to five extra days annual leave)
- Flexible working & family friendly policies
- Ergonomic, fully accessible office, very close to Birmingham New Street Station
- Open, collaborative and people-focused culture

Your responsibilities:

- Lead the Commission’s external communications strategy, including media, social and public campaigns
- Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Committee, shaping narrative and public positioning
- Serve as a senior spokesperson, building strong relationships with national and regional media
- Develop and deliver integrated communications programmes aligned to organisational priorities
- Partner with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to embed communications into planning and delivery
- Oversee public affairs and stakeholder engagement strategies
- Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing communications and public affairs team
- Champion data-driven communications, using insight, digital tools and innovation to maximise impact
- Manage budgets, external agencies and resources to deliver value for money

What we’re looking for:

Essential criteria:

- Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills as a trusted adviser with diverse stakeholders internally and externally, including at Board, C-suite and ministerial (or equivalent) level. You have experience advising and influencing at the most senior levels with political acumen and emotional intelligence
- Demonstrable experience of audience-led, insight-driven campaigns. You understand segmentation, targeting and positioning. You have proven success developing multi-channel campaigns and creative content strategies with clear evaluation metrics and measurable impact, including large-scale behaviour-change or trust-building campaigns
- Strong media handling experience, including acting as a…