Director of Communications, Policy & Campaigns

Director of Communications, Policy & Campaigns

c. GBP100k

London

Over the past year, the evidence that the lack of a safe home is at the root of the UK's most significant social problems has become unignorable. Individual issues such as housing shortage, unaffordability or poor quality have always been with us; but we have come face to face with the intersection of these factors with racism, gender, poor health, poverty, insecure employment, low educational attainment and a host of other factors. It has been nothing less than shocking. If Grenfell was the first act of a wretched social tragedy, COVID–19 has been the second.

Sadly, none of this has come as a surprise to Shelter. We've long argued that housing policy in the UK is broken. As a nation, we lack a clear, compelling vision of better housing, and for decades (under all administrations) long–term investment has been wholly absent. As a result, the human cost has become intolerable. But we're doing everything we can to fix it. We intend to effect lasting transformation in housing policy, accelerating a shift in perspectives and priorities that will unlock vital change. In turn, we're confident that we'll soon begin to see a new generation of high–quality homes that people can actually afford, and where they can flourish.

Your remit will be to assemble a comprehensive case for new thinking; to develop persuasive and practical approaches to problems that people wrongly believe are intractable; and to amplify the voices and experiences of those affected by the housing crisis, so that we can start to tell stories with different endings. It's a once–in–a–career chance to realise a better future for millions of people. Candidates will need to demonstrate a well–balanced profile, blending thought–leader, advocate, activist, story–shaper and captivating public communicator. But social change at a national scale is a team sport, and we want more than just a brilliant soloist: you also need to show us that you can lead a multi–skilled group of colleagues to deliver a clear set of strategic objectives, and play a full, effective and credible part in a high performing and collaborative executive leadership team.

To find out more, visit For an informal discussion, please contact Alex MacLeod at Cadence Partners on or email If you require the candidate materials in an alternative format, please request it in your initial contact.

Closing date: 9am, 29 March 2021.