21096 - Head of External Affairs (National

21096 - Head of External Affairs (National)

We’re looking for an outstanding strategic communicator to join our award-winning Communications Directorate at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) as Head of External Affairs. The MoJ sits at the heart of the justice system and is driving the Government’s work to cut crime, improve support for victims and ensure justice is timely and fair. Our work has a huge impact on people’s lives and communication is an integral part of how the department operates.

You will lead a team responsible for identifying, building and managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including policing, victim charities and legal sector bodies, to build public support for the government’s complex reforms.

The team’s place alongside colleagues working on strategic communications and planning helps to ensure stakeholder engagement is forward-thinking and aligned to the MoJ’s priorities.

The successful candidate will be a strong, empathetic leader with experience writing and delivering communications strategies. You will be used to overseeing large-scale engagement strategies and have an excellent working understanding of stakeholder management. Your ability to think strategically and creatively while leading your team to deliver the highest quality work, at pace, will help you be a success in what is an important role.

You must have the confidence to advise the Justice Secretary, Ministers and senior colleagues and manage relationships with stakeholders.

You will have the ability to influence at all levels, within the department and outside it, and have a great understanding of the political and business context we work in, and our role within it. You will be flexible in your approach and quick to respond to new priorities. As a first-class strategist, you will be able to see the bigger picture, think long-term, and achieve results quickly.

This is a unique opportunity to work on a varied portfolio, communicating top government priorities to a wide range of audiences.

The Directorate is currently undertaking an operating model review to ensure we are optimally structured to deliver modern communications. As part of this review, we are considering how we are organised and how we work. As the new operating model develops, this role may be subject to changes in responsibilities, reporting arrangements and/or team structure.

The successful applicant will:

• Provide leadership and specialist advice across the Directorate and the department so stakeholder considerations are embedded in policy development and implementation from an early stage.
• Provide strategic counsel to ministers and senior officials on external affairs risks and opportunities, including horizon scanning for emerging issues that may affect the department's reputation.
• Plan, coordinate, implement and evaluate the department’s stakeholder communications activity, with particular focus on encouraging and supporting stakeholders to become visible, third-party advocates for the Government’s action in the media, on social media and other communications channels.
• Work with stakeholders to identify case studies to illustrate the impact of the Government’s reforms in the media, on social media and other communication channels.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with priority stakeholders across the MoJ’s portfolios.
• Be an active member of Government Communications - sharing MoJ successes across government and external audiences.
• Manage and develop two direct reports in a total team of four, providing clear direction, coaching and support.
• Play an active leadership role in the wider Communications Strategy and Ministerial Engagement team, driving positive team development and culture.