About this role
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 Principal 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. Strategic Leadership 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. Stakeholder Engagement 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. Public Affairs & Advocacy 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. Policy Development 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. Change & Transformation 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. Performance & Insight 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. Leadership & Team Management 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. Budget Management Manage budgets effectively in support of strategic and advocacy activities. Ensure resources are prioritised against high-impact work.