As Director of External Affairs across the Bild Group of four small charities (with collective turnover of approx. £3m/yr), you will have a deep commitment to human rights and improving people’s lives.
You will provide strategic direction and leadership to the External Relations function across all four charities in the group, taking overall responsibility for and providing thought-leadership on our strategic approach to policy, influencing, public affairs, stakeholder engagement.
You will play a lead role in planning, developing, and implementing the communication and external relations and wider engagement strategic plan to grow awareness and profile of Bild, Respond, Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) and ACT.
By sharing the impact of our work and programmes in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism and /or mental health conditions, you will support Bild in becoming the sector leading provider of organisational and workforce development (and RRN in becoming the leading charity in reducing restrictive practices globally – and Respond as leaders in trauma informed therapy).
You will champion Bild and RRN’s brand, vision, mission and values acting as an ambassador for the organisation both internally and externally to partners, stakeholders and media.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
Strategic Leadership:
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Develop and implement an integrated communications and external relations strategy across the four charities in the group to raise our profile and to influence change which positively impacts on our beneficiaries, aligning media, campaigning, and public affairs with the charity’s mission and strategic priorities
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Lead and inspire a high-performing team including Membership and Events Officer, Resources Coordinator and comms team as required
Comms & Marketing:
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Plan, develop and implement strategic communications and marketing plans to maximise awareness of the Bild Group of charities across the broad spectrum of communications disciplines including media relations, stakeholder management, influencer engagement, ethical (impact focused) marketing, social and new media and the production of new materials and resources
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Write, develop and produce materials such as infographics, press releases, briefing documents, media statements and online information suitable for stakeholders, including people with lived experience
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Ensure effective marketing across all four charities focusing on impact and including ensuring we attend a range of external events and that all four websites are best practice.
Influencing & Public Affairs:
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Working with the CEO, you will drive policy change by developing strategies to influence key decision makers through building relationships with parliamentarians, government departments, and sector stakeholders to ensure the charity's policy agenda is impactful
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Lead proactive and reactive media engagement, calls and requests for information in order to capitalise on suitable opportunities for maximising the reach and impact of all four charities
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Build our credibility as a thought leader in the sector
Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships:
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Build and sustain strategic alliances with senior civil servants, civil society groups, and community partners to increase the organization's influence and impact
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Develop effective stakeholder relationship management processes that ensure partnerships of all levels are provided with a rich, immersive engagement experience with the organisation and the work that we do
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Identify, liaise with and ensure positive relationships with key stakeholders – internal and external including media, government departments, partners, charities, providers, customers, other relevant parties to secure maximum impact for all four charities and their beneficiaries
Reputation, Brand Management & Marketing:
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Champion the Bild group brands, promoting the mission, values and impact of the organisation and ensuring consistent, engaging narratives and high-quality storytelling across all external channels
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Shaping the charity's profile and protecting its reputation through media relations, digital engagement, and consistent key messaging and building our credibility as thought leaders in sector.
Membership, Events & Communities:
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By ensuring appropriate, effective and engaging communications to all relevant audiences and stakeholders, your role will support the growth and development of our membership, Communities of Practice and the event programme (including webinars and conferences).
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Effectively plan, manage and lead a range of events for the Bild group of charities and associated marketing and communications
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Develop framework for Communities of Practice and strategy for engagement and growth
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Supporting Bild and RRN spokespeople with PR and media outreach
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Keep abreast of communications and engagement activity within the sector and demonstrate an awareness of the impact these may have on existing and future communications activity
General Responsibilities
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Contribute to evaluation and assessment of results against KPIs and tracking activity
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Allocate, manage and evaluate budget spend
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Identify resource requirements for activity across Bild group
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Develop and maintain systems, databases and procedures to support Bild group communication activities
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Plan, monitor, appraise and report progress of activity regularly with an innate understanding of how this supports activity across the Bild group
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Plan, manage and oversee budgetary spend related to outsourcing specialist activities such as video editing and design
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Ensure communications and marketing work complies with data protection and other legal, professional and agency requirements, standards and policies
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Support the senior leadership team on any activity as required.
Personal Development
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Be part of a culture of quality in all areas of communications, PR and marketing
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Participate and contribute to individual performance appraisal and supervision sessions
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Keep abreast of relevant initiatives and developments within the adult health and social care, education & disability sector and the wider communications / engagement profession
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Undertake relevant training, as necessary including accessing new systems and software as required to support the role.
Organisational Responsibilities:
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Access and work within Bild’s policies and procedures.
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Attend internal cycle of team meetings relevant to this role.
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Engage with line management, supervision (where appropriate) and appraisal process.
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Comply with data protection regulations, ensuring that information on clients, employees, volunteers and other stakeholders remains confidential.
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Take responsibility for personal learning and development with support from line manager.
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Work in a manner that facilitates equal opportunities and inclusion for all.
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Remain professional and respectful at all times, promoting positive relations with all those we encounter in our work.
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Maintain health and safety and risk awareness for self and others across the organisation.
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Undertake any other duties that Bild may require within the remit of this role.
This job description does not form part of the contract of employment. It is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review with the postholder at their annual appraisal.
Person Specification
Job Title
Director of External Relations
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Exceptional copy writing and verbal communication skills
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Good presenting, negotiating and influencing skills
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Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build mutually beneficial relationships
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The ability to work effectively within a small team
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Ability to work under pressure, and plan, manage, and adapt own workload
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A flexible, proactive and problem-solving approach to work
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A motivated attitude and ability to work on own initiative
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A commitment to human rights and modelling accessibility and inclusion throughout activity
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Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as demanded by the post
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Fit to undertake the duties of the post.
Experience/Skills/Competencies
Essential
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Significant experience working in communications, policy and PR with demonstrable success
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PR and media management experience, including both online and traditional PR
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Experience of managing and implementing social media plans, including post development, scheduling, evaluation and monitoring feedback
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Experience of overseeing the design and production of print and electronic publications, including website management and development
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Experience of managing CRM systems and ensuring effective data capture and utilising data to inform decision making
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Ability to analyse data and shape results into reports that inform decision making
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Ability to build effective relationships and networks and establish credibility for Bild, RRN, Respond and Bild ACT
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Ability to work collaboratively and develop positive relationships with colleagues, members and wider stakeholders
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Demonstrated digital comms / social media skills and understanding of emerging digital marketing tools and platforms
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Ability to use a variety of IT packages/databases including CRM systems.
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Experience managing budgets and associated reporting
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Ability to work remotely and regularly travel to in person events
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Time management skills and ability to prioritise workload under pressure as part of a small but vibrant team
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Strong awareness and interest in news/current affairs/politics and the broader third sector, social care and education sector.
Desirable
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Experience working in the not-for-profit sector, preferably in another disability and/or membership charity
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Strong understanding of education, health, social care, disability and not for profit environment
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Strong media contacts within relevant trade sector publications
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Ability to use externally managed media databases (such as Agility etc.)
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Experience with conferences, webinars and hybrid events.
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Experience supporting and manging a remote team
Education and Qualifications:
Other Requirements:
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Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities and able to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
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Regular travel to attend meetings and events.
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Occasional evening meetings.
Legal requirements:
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Enhanced DBS check.
Your application should include an up to date CV together with a supporting statement detailing how your skills and experience align with the job description and person specification.
Please note that we will be unable to progress applications from candidates who do not answer the screening questions.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our vision is a society where everyone can enjoy the same rights and opportunities
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Shape public policy. Safeguard professional standards. Lead a profession towards the statutory recognition it deserves.
Not every Chief Executive role involves influencing government, protecting professional standards and occasionally resolving a registrant query before the end of the day.
After seven years, Mike Orlov is retiring as Chief Executive and Registrar of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters. The Board is now seeking a successor who can continue strengthening the organisation and raising the profile and importance of professional interpreters working across public services.
NRPSI is the independent voluntary regulator and national register for public service interpreters in the United Kingdom. It sets professional standards, upholds accountability and provides assurance to public sector organisations, including the Ministry of Justice, the Metropolitan Police and NHS bodies, in settings where interpreters are relied upon in critical situations.
In these environments, clear communication is essential. When it fails, the consequences can affect legal outcomes, safeguarding decisions and, in some situations, lives.
The organisation is entering an important moment in its development. The House of Lords Public Services Committee’s 2025 report on interpreting services in the courts has brought renewed national attention to the role that professional interpreters play across justice, policing and healthcare. At the same time, NRPSI continues to advance the longer-term ambition of statutory regulation and protection of title for Registered Public Service Interpreters.
As Victor Olowe, Chair of NRPSI, puts it: “This is an important moment for NRPSI and for the wider profession, particularly following the House of Lords 2025 report and the government’s commitment to address some of its key recommendations.”
As Chief Executive and Registrar, you’ll engage with senior stakeholders across government and public services while leading a specialist, long-standing team responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Register and the standards that underpin it.
Drawing on your experience, you’ll help shape the organisation’s next stage of development and strengthen the role NRPSI plays in safeguarding the public through professional interpreting standards.
The Role
Stepping into this role, you’ll be accountable to the Board for the governance, strategic direction and operational leadership of the organisation.
This is a hands-on leadership role, working closely with the Chair and Board to shape the organisation’s strategy and priorities, while ensuring the Register continues to operate with credibility, integrity and independence.
You’ll have direct responsibility for the integrity of the Register itself. This includes oversight of registration, renewals, complaints and disciplinary processes, as well as responsibility for ensuring the organisation’s Code of Professional Conduct and regulatory framework remain robust and fit for purpose.
With your experience, moving between strategic and operational ground will come naturally to you. One week you may be engaging with senior civil servants or government departments about the importance of professional interpreting standards. The next you may be reviewing operational processes, supporting your team in the delivery of the Register’s core functions or ensuring the organisation’s financial position remains sustainable.
Your team works mainly remotely and are all long-standing, dedicated and experienced, responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Register. Working in a remote-first environment, continuing a culture of collaboration, accountability and professional development while ensuring the organisation continues to deliver high standards of service is high on the list of priorities.
Externally, you’ll act as the senior voice of NRPSI. What does this mean in reality? Engaging with stakeholders across justice, policing, healthcare and central government, representing the organisation’s perspective clearly and authoritatively. This could include contributing to sector discussions, building relationships with policymakers and making the case for why professional interpreting standards matter to public safety and effective public services, or posting on LinkedIn and social channels, giving updates or hosting town halls for registrants.
The role also sees you supporting the organisation’s longer-term ambition of achieving statutory regulation and protection of title for Registered Public Service Interpreters, a goal that will genuinely benefit from the right leader’s credibility and persistence.
Financial sustainability also sits within your remit. NRPSI is funded through registration fees paid by interpreters, and you’ll oversee the organisation’s finances while ensuring resources are used effectively to deliver its strategic priorities. Alongside this, you’ll maintain oversight of operational systems and processes, identifying opportunities to improve resilience, efficiency and the effective use of digital tools.
The Person
This is a role that calls for someone who has operated at senior or director level within a charity, not-for-profit organisation, professional body, regulatory organisation, membership association or comparable public service environment.
Someone who understands the responsibilities that come with leading an organisation whose work centres on professional standards, governance and public protection, and who brings the credibility, judgement and experience required to engage effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders including government departments, public sector organisations, registrants and sector partners.
A collaborative, trust-based leadership style will be just as important: someone equally comfortable exercising independent judgement as they are balancing strategic thinking with practical delivery in a specialist organisation where both are needed in equal measure.
You’ll bring most of the following:
- Senior leadership experience at director level or above within a charity, professional body, membership organisation, regulatory body or public service environment
- Experience influencing government policy or engaging with commissioners of public spending
- Experience developing or improving regulatory, registration or accreditation processes
- The ability to represent an organisation clearly and confidently in public, including engaging with senior civil servants, sector stakeholders and the media
- Financial literacy and experience overseeing organisational budgets and sustainability
- Experience developing and delivering strategy and operational plans
- Confidence using digital systems, data and communication platforms to support organisational priorities
- Understanding of, or experience in, a registrar or equivalent function within a professional, regulatory or standards body, including accountability for the integrity of registration processes and criteria
Desirable
- Familiarity with public affairs, policy engagement or advocacy work would be advantageous, as would exposure to justice, policing, healthcare or public service environments.
- Experience navigating politically sensitive or contested professional environments, including managing public criticism, would also be beneficial.
- A second language would be welcomed.
- Above all, you’ll share a commitment to the public interest and the role professional interpreting plays in ensuring fair access to justice and public services.
A full candidate pack providing further information about the organisation accompanies this ad.
Key Information
NRPSI is working with Michelle Paoloni, Director at House Recruitment, on this appointment.
To apply, please submit a current CV and a supporting statement of no more than two pages outlining your relevant experience, where you saw the role advertised and what has prompted you to apply.
- Applications close at 5pm on Friday 10 April 2026.
- Discovery conversations with House Recruitment will take place on a rolling basis.
- Final interviews will be held in person in London on Wednesday 29 April 2026.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
NRPSI is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive recruitment process.
Thank you!
There are two parts to the Primary Science Mentor role. The majority of the role will focus on strengthening primary science teaching and leadership by leading our third Priority Areas initiative in North-West England. Through their knowledge of and passion for primary science education, the successful candidate will inspire transformational change in schools taking part in this project. They will build close working relationships with participating schools and create a vibrant and exciting learning community based on mutual support and the sharing of expertise.
The remaining hours in the role will be as a Primary Science Mentor: joining PSTT’s growing team of primary science experts who provide bespoke support directly to individual schools, multi-academy trusts and other school groupings and organisations. This includes developing and delivering training in a variety of contexts, including online; working individually with Science Leaders; being a leading voice, expert and advocate for primary science (both regionally and nationally); and creating partnerships with other organisations that support science within the region.
A crucial part of the role is to ensure collection of appropriate data for both Priority Areas and Primary Science Mentor activities, so that we can evaluate our work against intended outcomes.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our vision is to see excellent teaching of science in every primary classroom in the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.