Group Director of External Affairs

Are you a strategic and creative leader ready to shape national conversations and amplify the voice of families raising disabled or seriously ill children?

• Salary:
• £94,000 - £100,000 per annum
• Contract:
• Permanent
• Hours:
• 35 hours per week
• Location:
• Hybrid
• Closing date:
• 02 February 2026
• Interview date(s):
• Initial interviews with Russam: 17th and 18th February 2026. Interviews with Family Fund: 4th, 5th and 6th March 2026.

The organisation

Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity supporting low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.

We help thousands of families every year with essential grants, services and practical support. But we do much more than that. We champion families’ voices, challenge inequality and help shape the conversation on disability, childhood illness and disadvantage.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to shape how Family Fund connects with people across the UK. As a newly created role, it offers real scope to define and develop the function, while playing a central role in strengthening the organisation’s voice and influence.

We are looking for a bold, creative Group Director of External Affairs to join our Senior Leadership Team. At a time when families need us more than ever, you will raise Family Fund’s national profile and influence, positioning the organisation as a trusted, evidence led voice on childhood disability, serious illness and the broader challenges facing low-income families. You will build and sustain strong relationships with policymakers, funders, and the public ensuring the organisation secures the visibility, support, and resources needed to drive lasting change for the families we serve.

You will lead an energetic, specialist team spanning communications, media, public affairs, partnerships and research, bringing these areas together through a joined up external engagement strategy that delivers real impact.

Some key responsibilities include:

• Lead our communications, media, public affairs, partnerships and research teams
• Raise Family Fund’s profile as a trusted national voice
• Build strong relationships with policymakers, media, funders and partners
• Help drive real change for families through influence and insight

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for an experienced leader who loves the power of communication, influence and connection.

Key attributes will include:

• Senior experience in external affairs, communications or public affairs
• A strong track record of influencing policy and engaging senior stakeholders
• Experience leading teams and working at senior level
• A warm, confident communication style and great relationship skills
• A real passion for Family Fund’s mission and social justice

This is an exciting, high impact role with the chance to make a genuine difference to families across the UK.

Candidate Briefing Pack

For comprehensive information about Family Fund, the role responsibilities and the person we are looking for, please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for this fantastic opportunity, please provide the following with your application:

• An up-to-date CV
• A supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4, outlining your experience, motivations and suitability for the role.

All applications are being handled by our recruitment partner, Russam. All applications should be uploaded via the Russam website.

If you have any difficulty uploading your application or if you would like to have an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact Melissa Baxter – Managing Partner, Charities on: melissa.baxter@russam.co.uk | 07789 985 229

Closing date for applications: Monday 2nd February 2026.Initial interviews with Russam: 17th and 18th February 2026Interviews with Family Fund: 4th, 5th and 6th March 2026. Flexibility will be provided if needed – do let us know as soon as possible if you are unavailable on these dates.

We commit to inclusion, equality and diversity and we welcome applications from all parts of the community. Family Fund is a Disability Confident Leader. We will invite to interview all disabled applicants who meet the requirements for the role. If you have a disability, and are happy to let us know, please highlight this in your covering letter. We have also signed the Armed Forces Covenant, and we welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community.

The successful candidate must complete pre-employment checks including a right to work check and employment history verification.