Director of External Communications

Job summary

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

As Director of External 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 External 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, across the road to Birmingham New Street Station

• Open, collaborative and people focused culture in an organisation recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work

Job description

• 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

Person specification

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 spokesperson

• Proven ability of leading high-performing teams with a focus on building inclusive, future-focused cultures

Desirable criteria:

• Experience working in complex, regulated or public sector environments

• Strong understanding of data-led communications and evaluation methodologies

• Experience working with national, regional and trade media
• Knowledge of the gambling sector or similar regulatory landscape

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £90,000, Gambling Commission contributes £26,073 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

We value diversity in our workplace and are committed to a culture where each individual is engaged and feels that their contribution is valued and respected. We welcome all applications from candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role.

To apply for this position, please see the Gambling Commission careers website.

The Gambling Commission have an anonymised recruitment process, so you should not attach a CV to your application. Instead, application questions will ask you to evidence how your personal skills, qualities and experience match the essential criteria for the role.

The selection process for this vacancy will comprise of an in person interview consisting of competency, situational and technical questions supplemented with a press media style exercise. To prepare for your interview please familiarise yourself with the STAR techniquefor answering interview questions.

The closing date for this role is midnight on 28th June 2026.

Interviews are expected to be held at Victoria Square House, Birmingham, B2 4BU on 15th July 2026.

Please ensure you have the right to work in the UK before applying as we are unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Incomplete applications will be discounted from shortlisting. Please ensure your application is fully completed and submitted before logging out of your account.

About us:

The Gambling Commission is the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing and regulating gambling activities in the United Kingdom. Our primary role is to ensure that gambling is conducted fairly, openly, and free from crime, while also protecting vulnerable individuals from harm.

We regulate various forms of gambling, including casinos, bingo, sports betting, and lotteries, and issues licenses to operators. We are committed to ensuring a safe and responsible gambling environment, promoting transparency, and enforcing compliance with legal standards to maintain public trust in the industry.

We’re proud to have notable industry recognition, including the Regulatory Excellence Award from the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR). This prestigious award recognized the Commission's international leadership in enhancing consumer protection through industry collaboration.

​Please apply if you want to be part of an organisation that is force for good!

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Kamen Hulbert
• Email : khulbert@gamblingcommission.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@gamblingcommission.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Governance, Gambling Commission, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham B2 4BP in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from us, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

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