Interim Director of External Affairs

Final date to receive applications: 5 October 2026

Department: Policy

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: HQ
- Leatherhead

Reporting To: Interim CEO

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

• Proven ability to lead transformational change programmes…