External Communications Lead (External Affairs)

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• Job Type: Full Time
• Profession: Communications, External Affairs, Marketing
• Location: Northampton
• Salary: Competitive + excellent benefits

Simply click the button below to apply for this position.

This is an opportunity to use your communication skills to make a difference and contribute to the Charity’s future direction.

Location: Northampton, with flexible working 

Salary: Competitive + excellent benefits

About St Andrew’s Healthcare

St Andrew’s is a charity specialising in complex mental health. Its mission is to help people with complex mental health needs transform their lives.

With its history dating back nearly two centuries, St Andrew’s today is undergoing significant change to deliver on its mission for years to come.

St Andrew’s has hospitals in Birmingham and Essex, with its base in Northampton.

The Role

Reporting to the Director of Communications & External Affairs, you’ll join a small, dedicated team working at the heart of decision‑making at St Andrew’s.

The External Communications Lead is responsible for managing key external relationships that support the Charity and its mission. This includes managing engagement with the media, government & Parliament, and other external stakeholders.

This is challenging role, that will see the postholder managing complex communications issues.

The Person

You are an experienced communications professional who wants to use your skills to make a difference to people’s lives. You thrive in a fast‑paced environment and are comfortable working through change, uncertainty and significant issues.

You have a strong background in media relations, public affairs or ideally both, and are confident handling complex and sensitive issues. You understand the UK’s media and political landscape and have strong news instincts.

Highly professional in approach, you’re a self‑starter who takes responsibility for delivering high‑quality work. You use initiative to solve problems, work with attention to detail, and contribute positively to a collaborative team. You act with integrity and are low-ego.

Responsibilities

Media relations & issues management

• Manage day‑to‑day media relations..
• Track the news agenda and emerging risks, providing timely intelligence and advice.
• Develop and deliver clear communications plans to manage issues and oversee the crisis communications plan for the Charity.
• Shape and deliver a proactive media strategy that builds understanding in the Charity’s work.
• Build strong relationships with key journalists across national, regional, local and specialist media.
• Produce and oversee clear, high‑quality media materials including press releases, statements, Q&As, briefings and op‑

Public affairs & policy engagement

• Develop and deliver strategies to influence relevant public policy in support of St Andrew’s mission.
• Build and manage effective relationships with MPs, parliamentarians and government stakeholders.
• Monitor and analyse political and policy developments, highlighting risks and opportunities.
• Prepare clear, well‑evidenced political briefings, consultation responses and policy submissions.

Opinion former engagement

• Build relationships with relevant think tanks, advocacy groups and external experts to support improvements to mental health provision and understanding. .

Reward

We offer an excellent benefits package including Pension; Sickness policy on par with the NHS; Access to the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts schemes; 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays); Life cover; Electric Car lease scheme; Cycle to work scheme; Healthcare cash plan; Free parking. On-site facilities such as cafes, all set within beautiful grounds.

Interested?

If this sounds like you then we’d love you to apply here.

Closing date: 29 April 2026