Head of External Communications & Policy

Maximus is a global organisation that specialises in providing health and employment services to millions of people every year. Here in the UK we employ around 5,000 people across the country to deliver services that have a profound impact on people’s lives. From assessments and health services to employability programmes and specialist support, we do work that matters with people who care.

Job Purpose:

The Head of External Communications & Policy (UK) leads Maximus UK external voice and reputation. The role is accountable for shaping and delivering an integrated programme of PR, public affairs, stakeholder engagement and policy activity that builds trust, supports growth and protects the organisation’s licence to operate. This role provides senior counsel on reputational and policy risk, leads proactive engagement with media and stakeholders, and positions Maximus as a credible, responsible and influential partner to government and communities.

Plus submit a cover letter alongside your CV when applying, detailing your suitability for the role.

Salary - £75,000 - £90,000

Home based - open to location, however a lot of stakeholder meetings will take place in London.

Benefits include:

• 9% combined pension
• Flexible benefits package
• 25 days annual leave
• Holiday trade scheme

What you’ll be responsible for:

Strategic leadership

• Set and deliver the UK external communications, public affairs and stakeholder engagement strategy, aligned to business priorities and growth ambitions.

• Act as the senior UK lead on external reputation, policy positioning and thought leadership.

• Anticipate emerging political, media and policy risks and opportunities, advising senior leaders accordingly.

Media and reputation management

• Lead the UK media strategy, including proactive PR, reactive media handling and issues management.

• Act as a senior spokesperson where appropriate and oversee all UK media responses.

• Coordinate sensitive media responses with the Director of Communications and Marketing and SVP CCIR, ensuring pace, accuracy and consistency.

Public affairs, policy and stakeholder engagement

•Build and maintain strong relationships with politicians, civil servants, regulators, industry bodies and other key stakeholders.

• Develop clear, evidence based policy positions aligned to Maximus’ strategic priorities and social purpose.

• Represent Maximus in external forums, consultations and partnerships that influence policy and public debate.

Business development and growth support

• Support the business development team with market positioning, new market entry and stakeholder engagement.

• Ensure external narratives strengthen bids, partnerships and long term growth opportunities.

Governance, brand and quality

• Ensure all external communications meet governance, legal and brand requirements, with Level 2 sign off authority.

• Maintain high standards of quality, accuracy and tone across all UK external outputs.

Agency and partner management

• Lead day to day relationships with external communications agencies and membership bodies.

• Ensure agencies deliver value, impact and measurable outcomes.

People leadership

• Lead, develop and motivate a high performing external communications and policy team.

• Create clarity of purpose, strong delivery discipline and a supportive, inclusive team culture.

Accountabilities:

1. External communications, reputation and policy strategy

2. Public affairs, policy positioning and stakeholder influence

3. Business development and growth support

4. Media leadership and issues management

5. People, agency and partner leadership

Key Contacts & Relationships:

Internal:

• UK Executive and senior leadership team

• Communications and Marketing colleagues

• Business development and operational leaders

• Legal and compliance and teams

• Global communications colleagues

External:

• National and trade media

• Politicians and civil servants

• Regulators and public bodies

• Industry bodies, partners and NGOs

Qualifications & Experience

Experience and knowledge

• Significant experience leading PR, media and public affairs activity in a large, complex or high profile organisation.

• Proven experience engaging with politicians, civil servants and senior external stakeholders on complex policy issues.

• Strong understanding of reputational risk, issues management and crisis communications.

• Experience leading teams and coordinating multi disciplinary delivery plans and strategies.

• Strong interest in, and understanding of, welfare, health and disability policy and public services.

Skills and capabilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, compelling messages.

• Strong judgement and confidence when handling sensitive or high risk issues.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to operate at pace in a fast moving environment.

• Highly organised, detail focused and comfortable managing multiple priorities.

• Collaborative leadership style, with the credibility to influence at senior levels.

Qualifications

• Degree or professional qualification in communications, public affairs, marketing or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Individual Competencies

• Strategic thinking and judgement

Able to see the bigger picture, anticipate future risks and opportunities, and make sound decisions in complex, fast moving political, media and policy environments.

• Reputational leadership

Demonstrates strong judgement when handling sensitive, high risk issues and provides calm, credible leadership during periods of scrutiny or challenge.

• Influence and stakeholder credibility

Builds trust quickly and influences effectively with senior internal leaders and external stakeholders, including politicians, civil servants, regulators and partners.

• Exceptional communication

Communicates clearly and persuasively, translating complex policy and operational issues into accessible, compelling messages for different audiences.

• Commercial and growth mindset

Understands how external communications, policy positioning and reputation support business development, partnerships and long term growth.

• Collaboration and matrix working

Works effectively across functions, geographies and disciplines, balancing differing priorities while maintaining shared outcomes and accountability.

• Leadership and people development

Leads with clarity and purpose, develops high performing teams, and creates an inclusive, supportive culture with high standards of delivery.

• Delivery focus and resilience

Operates confidently at pace, manages multiple priorities, and maintains quality, accuracy and composure under pressure.

EEO Statement

Maximus is committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the recruitment process. We know that feeling included has a dramatic impact on personal well-being and are working to ensure that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment due to any personal characteristic. Advertisements for posts will include sufficiently clear and accurate information to enable potential applicants to assess their own suitability for the post.

We are a Disability Confident Leader, thanks to our commitment to the recruitment, retention and career development of people with disabilities and long-term conditions. The Disability Confident scheme includes a guaranteed interview for any applicant with a disability who meets the minimum requirements for a job. When you complete your job application you will find a question asking you if you would like to apply under the Disability Confident Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you feel that you have a disability and apply under this scheme, providing that you meet the essential criteria for the job, you will then be invited for an interview. Your Guaranteed Interview application will only be shared with the hiring manager and the local resourcing team. Where reasonable, Maximus will review and consider adjustments for those applicants who express a requirement for them during the recruitment process.