Head of external affairs and engagement jobs in woking
Location: Remote with travel across the UK.
About the role
It’s an exciting and important time for our charity as we work to help more people out of homelessness and poverty as part of an ambitious strategy.
The newly created role of Federation Development Lead will sit within the Partnerships and Federation Development directorate, to support the delivery of key charity and federation-wide objectives, as part of our mission to empower people affected by homelessness and poverty to change their lives for the better while using our voice to achieve social change.
The principal responsibility will be to support our ambition to become a best practice national body, responsible for leading on and supporting the development of key projects within Emmaus UK and the wider federation.
This will include providing leadership to support Emmaus communities across the UK to prepare and respond to the introduction of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act, you will require an understanding and commitment to best practice and legislative requirements related to the provision of supported housing, with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into user friendly support, training, guidance and policies and procedures
The role will also provide a critical role in the implementation and delivery of Emmaus UK’s ambitious plans to seek registration as a provider of social housing. You will provide the project management and technical skills required to support the successful delivery of the application process, ensuring that risk and regulatory requirements are considered and acted upon at each stage, maintaining strong communication with key stakeholders externally and across the federation.
As the Federation Development Lead, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the growth and development of the Emmaus movement within the UK, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement, and supporting the overall success of the federation. Your role will involve supporting the development and delivery of strategic plans, programme design and implementation, stakeholder management, and continuous evaluation and improvement of developed initiatives.
Working with the Director of Partnerships and Federation Development and wider Senior Leadership Team, the role will be central to the delivery of strategic objectives related to the development of the movement.
About Emmaus UK
We understand that a home is more than just a roof over your head; it’s somewhere to belong, where you feel part of a community, and that’s what Emmaus offers.
Emmaus is a unique, secular organisation supporting homeless and socially excluded people by providing a home for as long as it is needed, meaningful work in a social enterprise and a sense of belonging.
There are currently over 30 Emmaus communities across the UK, stretching from Glasgow to Dover and Norfolk to South Wales. Collectively the Emmaus federation supports more than 1,000 people with experience of homelessness.
How To apply
To apply for the role, please complete our application form and equal opportunities monitoring form and email us. The email address is in the Application Pack by 12pm on Monday 10th November 2025.
Please ensure you download the job pack and refer to the job description and person specification when completing your application form.
Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview conducted via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 20th November 2025.
If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please email us. Email address can be found in the Application Pack.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you want to shape public thinking, influence national conversations, and help ensure people’s voices are heard at every level of decision-making?
Do you have experience in public affairs, policy engagement, or communications, and a passion for equity, voice, and inclusion?
Are you looking for a role where you can lead strategic engagement and influence change?
We’re recruiting for a new Public Affairs & External Engagement Lead, a role designed to shape our public profile, strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and decision-makers, and ensure our values are reflected in the systems that shape people’s lives.
You’ll be part of our growing External Influence team, working in close collaboration with the Media and PR Lead. The role is home-based with occasional travel to meet stakeholders or attend events.
About us
VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.
We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most. For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.
About you
You’ll bring a strong track record in public affairs, stakeholder engagement and networking, or strategic communications, ideally within a public, policy, or values-led environment.
You’re confident navigating complex systems and building credibility with stakeholders such as local and national government, public sector leaders, charities, and think tanks.
You understand how influence works, and you’re excited by the opportunity to help shape conversations..
Experience in the health, social care, equalities, or advocacy sector would be valuable, but what matters most is your ability to listen, connect, and translate complexity into influence.
How will you make a difference?
You’ll lead VoiceAbility’s work to strengthen relationships and reputation with people who shape policy, services, and public discourse.
You’ll help position the organisation as a respected thought leader, using insight, data, and storytelling to drive awareness of the issues people face and how things can change.
Working closely with colleagues in Media, Marketing and Business Development, you’ll identify opportunities to contribute to debates, lead engagement with key public and sector stakeholders, and ensure VoiceAbility’s voice is present and consistent in the places that matter.
Benefits
28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service
5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution
Salary sacrifices pension scheme
Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)
Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc
24/7 Employee Assistance programme
Access to remote counselling service
Paid Disability Leave
Paid compassionate Leave
Home Working Allowance
Support with continuous professional development
Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development
Personal Development Plans
How are staff supported to work remotely?
VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community.
When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).
VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach.
Equality and Diversity
VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.
VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact us for further options.
How to apply
To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form.
Important Dates:
Closing date for applications; Midnight on 10 October 2025, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.
Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification.
Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Public Affairs expert.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Up to £34,400 per annum (£43k pro-rata), plus 8% employer pension contribution, excellent holiday
28 hours per week
Permanent role
Hybrid working – homebased working for the majority of time with a need to attend head office in Godalming monthly (open to negotiation), plus a requirement to travel for relevant events and meetings
Use your creativity and compassion to help animals live free from cruelty.
At the League Against Cruel Sports, we are powered by a passionate vision: a society where animals are no longer persecuted in the name of ‘sport’. Legacies already fund around half our work — and as our new Legacy Marketing and In Memory Manager, you’ll play a central role in securing the long-term future of our mission.
You’ll lead the development and delivery of inspiring campaigns that show supporters the incredible impact their legacy could have, helping us protect animals for generations to come. You’ll also develop our first-ever In Memory giving strategy – creating meaningful, sensitive ways for people to honour loved ones through our work.
We're looking for someone with experience of running integrated Legacy and In Memory campaigns across multiple channels – someone who can tell a powerful story, build trust, and connect emotionally with our supporters. You’ll be confident managing projects, budgets, creative suppliers and data. Most of all, you’ll be motivated by impact – using insight and empathy to deliver work that really matters.
This is an exciting time to join our ambitious Fundraising Team as we grow our reach, deepen our supporter relationships and transform how people think about animals and sport. If you want to help build a kinder future, we’d love to hear from you.
What you’ll be doing:
- Driving and delivering legacy strategy; acquisition, conversion and stewardship campaigns
- Designing and launching a new In Memory strategy
- Creating compelling supporter journeys and communications
- Running events, appeals and digital campaigns
- Working closely with internal teams; fundraising, campaigns & communications, public affairs, intelligence and finance
- Using insight and analysis to drive improvement and impact
What you’ll bring:
- Proven experience of Legacy and In Memory fundraising across multi-channel delivery
- Strong project management and creative campaign delivery skills
- Excellent copywriting and creative briefing skills
- Confidence with data, segmentation and analysis
- Confidence to represent the League at supporter events
- A collaborative approach and a genuine commitment to animal welfare
Why Join Us:
We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance, with 28 days of annual leave (in addition to the public holidays and rising with service) and flexible working arrangements, including options for compressed hours and remote work from, day one. Additionally, our benefits package includes a generous employer contribution of eight percent towards your pension scheme and discounts on shopping, electronics, hospitality and leisure. Find out more about working at the League.
The League Against Cruel Sports is committed to inclusivity and diversity, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
We believe that together we can end animal cruelty in the name of sport. Join us in our purposeful mission to redefine what is acceptable and inspire positive change in animal welfare legislation.
Ready to make a real difference?
Don't wait - apply now! We're looking to fill this position quickly and will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. To apply, please submit your CV along with a covering letter.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.