External Affairs Director - Urban & Rural FTC
Advert Close date: 14th January 2026
Purpose of the Role
Are you passionate about shaping the future of the UK? We’re looking for a dynamic External Affairs Director to join our purpose-driven organisation and tackle some of the most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges of our time.
In this pivotal role, you’ll help steer the UK towards a net zero carbon and energy-secure future, champion investment in thriving communities, revitalise urban centres, and safeguard our natural environment—all while driving sustainable economic growth. You’ll play a key part in shaping our urban, rural, and innovation strategies, influencing policy in an evolving regulatory landscape, and building strong, impactful relationships with external stakeholders.
As part of our External Affairs and Policy leadership team, you’ll lead the development and delivery of our external affairs strategy for urban and rural portfolios—covering public affairs, policy positions, advocacy, and project-level communications. Your work will enable the successful delivery of our ambitious strategy, aligned with The Crown Estate’s purpose, values, and Group vision.
This is a unique opportunity to make a national impact—helping shape policy and political landscapes to meet the UK’s future needs, while positioning The Crown Estate as a trusted, purposeful business that delivers value for the nation.
You’ll lead a talented in-house team and manage agency partners, ensuring high performance and seamless collaboration.
What You’ll Do
Drive and implement stakeholder engagement and public affairs strategies, building trusted relationships with key political and administrative stakeholders across the UK.
Shape The Crown Estate’s policy positions through horizon scanning, identifying risks, gaps, and opportunities in housing, planning, and community development.
Prepare for select committees, stakeholder meetings, and consultations—crafting compelling responses and policy positions.
Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders, including the CEO and Managing Directors, influencing decision-making at the highest level.
Collaborate across the business to deliver integrated campaigns and engagement opportunities that strengthen our reputation.
Manage external agencies and budgets, ensuring exceptional delivery aligned with project briefs and procurement standards.
What We’re Looking For
Proven expertise in government, public affairs, or similar roles, with an urban planning background is essential.
Strong leadership skills with a passion for inspiring teams and fostering a growth mindset is essential.
Exceptional communication skills with experience handling complex, high-profile issues.
Deep understanding of government policymaking and devolved administration priorities.
Strategic advisor experience at senior or board level.
Ability to build meaningful relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Skilled in managing agency resources, budgets, and performance.
Confident in translating complex information into clear, impactful materials for political audiences and senior leaders.
This is more than a role—it’s a chance to shape the UK’s future and make a lasting impact.
This is a 12 month Fixed Term Maternity Cover Contract
Our Offering / benefits:
As well as a competitive salary, pension and performance related bonus offering, we have a wealth of benefits available ranging from flexible working; market leading family policies and shopping discounts in the West End, to private healthcare; life and critical illness cover and 28 days holiday with the option to buy more. We value work life balance and your wellbeing highly, enabling you to be your best self to work.
Disability Disclaimer:
We are a proud disability confident employer and operate the offer of interview scheme Disability Confident employer scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
We are happy to offer alternative application methods or formats and can be flexible on our process to enable you to have the best opportunity.
If you have any questions about our recruitment process or would like to talk about adjustments, please contact us on careers@thecrownestate.co.uk
- Department
- Corporate Affairs
- Locations
- The Crown Estate, 1 St James Market
- Remote status
- Hybrid
- Employment type
- Full-time
The Crown Estate, 1 St James Market
Our Perks & Benefits
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28 days paid holiday
We value that you get more time with your family and friends. Therefore, we offer everybody 28 days paid holiday, 2 volunteering days and the option to purchase further holiday.
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Flexible working
We value work-life balance highly, therefore we have flexible & hybrid working policies.
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Market leading family friendly policies
We want the support we offer to be inclusive of everyone, reflective of the wide range of situations people face in life.
Workplace, Culture & Diversity
It’s our ambition to be an inclusive organisation that reflects our society, one where all feel welcome, able to be themselves and belong.
A workplace where you’re empowered to be yourself, diverse thinking is encouraged, and a place where you can realise your potential.
About The Crown Estate
The Crown Estate is a unique business with a distinct heritage and a portfolio unlike any other.
It includes some of central London’s best places to work, shop and spend time, retail and leisure destinations across the country, and a substantial rural portfolio. As manager of the seabed and half the foreshore around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, we play a role in the UK’s world-leading offshore wind sector as well as marine aggregates, cables and pipelines. We are also responsible for the Windsor Estate, including the world-renowned Windsor Great Park.
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