Summary
We have a unique opportunity to join the National Trust - Europe's largest conservation charity - as an External Affairs Manager on an 18-month fixed term basis. This is a national role, responsible for the communication, speech writing and stakeholder engagement activities of the Director-General and Chair.
This could be a great opportunity for a secondment, if you're internal and wish to apply on this basis please speak with your current line manager. This position has a start date of 1st March 2025.
What it's like to work here
Reporting to the Chief of Staff, as part of the Director-General's Office team, you'll provide dedicated, exceptional support to the Director-General and Chair.
Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, you'll collaborate with various teams such as communications, policy, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement to achieve our goals. We take pride in our simple and effective approach, striving to be excellent partners in all aspects of our work.
Your contractual location will be our offices at Savoy Hill House, London. However, we'll consider our central office in Swindon as a suitable alternative. There'll be an expectation for you to attend the office, but there's flexibility on where you're based at other times. You'll be required to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week. This'll be discussed in more detail at interview. This role will require travel to meet external parties and attend events.
What you'll be doing
As External Affairs Manager, your primary responsibility is the strategic planning and delivery of communications and engagement activities of the Director General and Chair. You'll be writing high profile speeches and copy for events, editorials and publications, commissioning and producing briefings for stakeholder engagements and advising on public positioning, statements and responses to events of the day. You'll be informed and guided by a strategic plan that you'll oversee and maintain.
You'll build strong relationships with the Executive Directors and their senior leadership teams, working ‘upstream' to ensure that the Director-General and Chair are focussed on the highest impact and strategically important engagement activities.
You'll be required to maintain external networks in relevant sectors, understanding and keeping updated with the latest developments and opportunities, whilst forming influential relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Who we're looking for
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. We'd love to hear from you if you have:
- Significant expertise in developing and implementing strategic plans for senior leader communications and stakeholder engagement activity.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience of writing speeches and copy for senior leaders that are personally and professionally representative of the speaker.
- An excellent understanding of the political environment in which the Trust operates to read situations accurately and determine the best course of action.
- An understanding of issues affecting heritage, nature and conservation.
- High level interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships with a diverse range of colleagues and partners.
- Senior stakeholder engagement/communications experience and leadership within a large and complex organisation.
- Adaptability with the ability to prioritise work to meet deadlines.
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Rental deposit loan scheme
- Season ticket loan
- EV car lease scheme
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Employee assistance programme
- Free parking at most Trust places
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.