Director of External Relations

Do you have experience of engaging with industry bodies in the land–based sector?

An exciting opportunity exists for a senior professional with relevant sector knowledge and experience of successfully engaging government, policymakers, and various regional and industry bodies across the UK skills landscape.

Our client is a successful commercially focussed charity, dedicated to ensuring that land–based, environmental, and animal care industries in the UK and Ireland, have a world–class workforce with the skills to work productively, safely, and sustainably.

The charity wish to ensure that they are recognised as the leading organisation for skills development and lifelong learning in the industries they support.

Reporting to the CEO, you will play a key role building engagement with employers, national and local governments, industry bodies and other stakeholders.

Specifically, you will:

• Verify and/or quantify skills issues identified through research.
• Use evidence to engage target audiences at national, local and industry levels, to advocate changes and solutions to address workforce issues.
• Work with industry to develop and promote evidence–based solutions to skills issues.
• Position the charity as a respected authority on skills and a trusted delivery partner.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will play a key role in developing strategy, promoting a high–performance culture, and providing leadership that motivates and enables colleagues to achieve.

In addition, you will have the following skills and experience:

• A track record of successful stakeholder engagement and/or partnership working
• Evidence of effective engagement with government and industry policymakers, understanding of policymaking structures and processes and how to influence them
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• A natural inclination for collaboration
• Good analytical skills and an ability to synthesise complex ideas
• Confidence to take the initiative, and a demonstrated ability to identify key issues, develop creative solutions and successfully promote them to stakeholders
• Understanding of public procurement processes and evidence of writing compelling project proposals that secure funding

Our client offers excellent benefits, flexible working arrangements, opportunities for development and a positive working environment. They are an equal opportunities employer and encourage a diverse and inclusive working environment

Interested candidates should attach their CV together with a supporting statement, setting out how they meet the key requirements and an indication of their salary expectation, to the link provided.