Director of Communications and External Affairs

At Catch22, we are proud of both our long history and reputation as an innovative and progressive employer. Our 1,300 colleagues and 300 volunteers work at every stage of the social welfare cycle, supporting over 60,000 individuals from cradle to career. Our work spans education, social justice and rehabilitation, children's social care, family support, social action and getting people into work.

At Catch22, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Every day, we work alongside people, communities and partners to create lasting social change, tackling some of society's biggest challenges with compassion, courage and innovation. 

As we continue our journey towards Mission 2030, we are looking for an exceptional Director of Communications & External Affairs to join our Leadership Team and help amplify the voices, experiences and impact of the people we serve. 

This is more than a communications role. It is an opportunity to influence public service reform, shape national conversations and ensure that lived experience drives meaningful change. 

A Role Where Your Leadership Creates Impact 

As a member of the Catch22 Leadership Team and Mission Delivery Group (MDG), you will play a pivotal role in shaping how we communicate, connect and influence. You will help ensure our culture of compassion, collaboration, curiosity and empowerment is reflected in everything we do. 

You will bring together communications, insight, policy and storytelling to help tell the real stories behind our work. Most importantly, you will ensure the experiences of the people we support, alongside the voices of colleagues, commissioners and partners, are at the heart of our organisational strategy and influence agenda. 

Working across the organisation, you will translate complex delivery, funding and policy challenges into clear, compelling narratives that demonstrate impact, build trust and inspire action. 

Why Join Catch22? 

At Catch22, you'll join an organisation driven by purpose and united by a shared belief that everyone deserves the chance to succeed. 

You'll work with passionate colleagues who are committed to delivering meaningful impact, challenging outdated systems and creating opportunities for people and communities across the UK. 

Most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of our organisation and help influence the future of public services. 

Together, we'll build stronger communities, transform lives and create a more prosperous society. 

Join us. Shape the conversation. Influence change. Deliver impact. 

What You'll Do 

You will: 

• Lead Catch22's communications and external affairs strategy, strengthening our influence and reputation across the sector. 

• Champion the voices and lived experiences of the people we support, ensuring they shape organisational priorities and public debate. 

• Build trusted relationships with commissioners, funders, policymakers, partners, regulators and influencers. 

• Strengthen the Catch22 brand, growing recognition, credibility and trust nationally. 

• Lead communications through periods of change, challenge and opportunity with confidence, judgement and integrity. 

• Use insight, evidence and storytelling to influence public policy and contribute to meaningful system reform. 

• Support the organisation's growth ambitions by ensuring that communications activity directly supports strategy, delivery and impact. 

• Inspire and develop high-performing, inclusive teams while fostering a strong One Catch22 culture. 

Click here to view the Job Pack

Experience within the charity/third sector is not required; applicants who can demonstrate transferable skills from other industries are welcomed.    We are particularly interested in the following:

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Educated to degree level with a relevant management qualification or equivalent
• Strong financial and commercial understanding, including assessment of value, risk and long-term sustainability
• A track record of successful political influencing work, including building cross-party support, through relationship-building, advocacy and media work
• Exemplary influencing skills at all levels of an organisation, with the ability to maintain and extend stakeholder and customer relationships and to analyse and provide advice on complex issues
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, able to translate complex issue into clear, compelling narratives

EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

• Significant senior-level experience leading communications, policy, campaigning and/or external affairs functions
• Proven experience of political and system-level influencing, including working with government, commissioners, media and partners.
• Successful experience of leading, motivating and developing people at all levels
• Strategic thinking around marketplaces, audiences, organisations and stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience of setting organisational direction, navigating ambiguity and advancing organisational culture and performance.

Salary & Benefits

• up to £84,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience
• 33 days annual leave (plus 8 public holidays)
• Approved workplace pension scheme with a matching employer contribution of 4%
• 3 x salary life insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme & GP helpline

Location

You will be based in our London office at Pear Tree Street. The role will also involve regular travel across our services and office locations.

Working Pattern

This is a full-time (37 hours per week) role, all flexible working arrangements will be considered.

Application

We will stop accepting applications at 5pm on Monday 26 October 2026, so please ensure that you have reviewed all information and completed your application by this time. Please note that, if we receive an overwhelming number of applications, we reserve the right to bring the application deadline forward. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as early as possible to avoid missing out.

This role requires a DBS check.

See the benefits of working for Catch22 here.

Unless otherwise stated, interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.

We aim to review applications as quickly as possible. However, due to the volume of interest we receive, we may not be able to contact all applicants individually. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful this time.

At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.

Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.

Please note, we will conduct an online search as part of our due dilligence checks for successful candidate(s). This will involve a search of all publicly available information online and in social media. 

Catch22’s Commitment to Ban the Box

Catch22 is proud to have “Banned the Box”. This means that we do not ask for candidates to disclose criminal convictions at the application stage. Instead, we invite disclosures at interview stage, and encourage them at the offer stage. Please see our statement of commitment on hiring people with convictions for more information.