External Affairs Manager

Job summary

​​​Applications for this role are restricted to existing employees of the College of Policing, the Civil Service and staff of a UK police force or UK policing organisation.​ ​

This role is based in London. Please note, some travel may be required. Hybrid working opportunities can also be discussed prior to you taking up your post. ​

We’re the professional body for the police service in England and Wales. We work with everyone in policing to set standards, to share knowledge and good practice and to support the development of police officers and staff. Our mission is to drive a consistent approach across policing where the public and the service expect it, to boost professionalism and to improve leadership at every level.

Although we're a small organisation, our work has a big reach. We are uniquely placed to work both with national policing organisations and local forces to support frontline officers, staff and volunteers in their day-to-day roles.

We offer a supportive and inclusive environment for people to thrive. Our extensive flexible-working policy, employee wellbeing support, family friendly policies, employers’ network for equality and inclusion membership (ENEI silver award winners), and status as a disability confident leader means everyone can bring their whole self to work.

Vetting

The role requires vetting level NPPV 2 + CTC and you may need to complete further vetting forms if you do not already have this level.

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced external affairs professional to lead our engagement with Parliament, government and key stakeholders across the policing landscape. This is your opportunity to influence the people and policies that shape how we cut crime and keep communities safe. As External Affairs Manager, you will lead a team of three, reporting to the Head of Media and External Affairs. You will be the driving force behind our external affairs strategy, building relationships that strengthen the College's voice and influence where it matters most. You will be a strategic thinker with a proven track record in external affairs, public affairs or parliamentary engagement. You understand how Westminster works and can translate organisational objectives into effective stakeholder strategies.​

Person specification

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• ​​Leading the development and delivery of our external affairs strategy, integrating public affairs, parliamentary engagement and stakeholder management with wider communications objectives. ​

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with ministers, parliamentarians, select committees, Home Office officials and national policing leaders

• ​​​Providing expert political and stakeholder advice to the Executive team and colleagues across the organisation, helping them navigate complex stakeholder landscapes.​​

• ​​Developing organisation-wide stakeholder mapping and engagement plans that maximise our influence on strategic priorities​

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• ​​​Strong political awareness and judgement, with the ability to analyse complex landscapes and provide clear, actionable advice​

• ​​​Demonstrable experience building productive relationships with senior stakeholders including parliamentarians and government officials​

• ​​Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing high-quality briefings and stakeholder materials​

• ​​Experience leading and developing high-performing teams​

Please see the attached job description which contains full details of the role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Experience in external affairs, public affairs, stakeholder engagement or related communications role
• Managing and developing high-performing teams

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,430, College of Policing contributes £16,637 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.

For more information about your benefits and staff networks, visit Guide to your employee benefits

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.

Vacancy reference: 7081

Anticipated interview dates: Thursday 26th and Friday 27th March 2026

​​Applications for this role are restricted to existing employees of the College of Policing, the Civil Service and staff of a UK police force or UK policing organisation.​

Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the recruitment process, will be given priority over other applicants.

An initialsiftbased on thelead Technical Skill - Experience in external affairs, public affairs, stakeholder engagement or related communications rolemay be held ifa large number ofapplications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

How to apply and contact information:

If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Jason Lavan, Head of Media and External Affairs jason.lavan@college.police.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).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 : Jason Lavan
• Email : jason.lavan@college.police.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@college.police.uk

Attachments

20260122_T318_External_Affairs_Manager Opens in new window (pdf, 184kB)