Senior External Affairs Manager (FTC until November 2026)

Overview

This role offers a competitive salary, hybrid working (London-based with two days in the office including Monday), 28 days holiday a year plus Bank Holidays and a pension scheme offering 6% in year one and 11% after this.

Salary £56,500 - £62,500 per annum

Location: London/Hybrid (two days in the office with Monday being mandatory)

(Fixed Term Contract - Until November 2026 - maternity cover)

About the role

The External Affairs team at Which? leads the consumer champion's influencing and engagement of stakeholders - with a focus on businesses, civil servants, regulators and other advocacy groups across sectors including personal finance, supermarkets, tech, energy and telecoms. We influence, gather insight, and collaborate with stakeholders to drive positive change for consumers, while helping to explain and communicate Which?'s policy positions and investigations, and upholding our reputation.

In the last few months our work has included:

• Lobbying for a cap on concert ticket resale prices
• Highlighting unsafe products for sale on online marketplaces, pushing marketplaces to take responsibility and lobbying government for regulatory change
• Campaigning for change in the general insurance market to the benefit of consumers

The Senior External Affairs Manager is responsible for leading the External Affairs team, ensuring that Which? is well positioned with businesses, government and regulatory officials, and other key stakeholder audiences like charities, trade associations and other advocacy groups. The role-holder will also be responsible for championing and implementing our new business change strategy.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of our business change strategy in partnership with other members of the Advocacy Department and develop a high performing culture with regard to business change and external affairs
• Lead the external affairs team, managing four team members and ensuring high performance
• Ensure the effective delivery of external affairs activity including that the team successfully delivers stakeholder influencing and engagement plans and strategies that enable us to meet our advocacy and wider organisational objectives
• Provide expert advice to colleagues, including through briefings to the Senior Leadership Team, on engagement with external stakeholders - especially businesses (and excluding political contacts)
• Build and maintain an influential network of contacts to gather intel, influence, and improve perceptions of Which? among stakeholders including identifying risks and opportunities to collaborate

About you

You will have experience working in a similar external affairs or advocacy role in another organisation and have a strong track record in delivering strategies to engage external audiences to achieve change. You'll be passionate about making a positive difference for consumers and be adept at working constructively across and within teams. You'll be able to get the best out of people and be adept at managing a small team.

Interview process

• 1st stage 30-45 minute video call
• 2nd stage 1 hour video call with a role-related task sent in advance

Benefits

We also have these benefits for you to consider:

• 35 hour working week
• Generous 28 days holiday a year plus Bank Holidays & Option to buy additional days
• Excellent pension scheme - when you pay in 3%, Which? pays in 6% (rising to 11% after one year of service)
• Discount site Pluxee which offers large % off everyday shopping and holidays
• Annual Award (depending on employee and company performance)
• Healthcare insurance & Private medical insurance and opportunity to participate in Vitality rewards programme (at 6 months)
• A discretionary death in service benefit provision equivalent to six times your annual salary
• Free access to Which? member content and free access to Which? money & legal helplines
• Free wills for all Which? employees, plus, partners of employees can make their will at cost price
• Work from (almost) anywhere for 4 weeks of the year policy

About Which?

We promote a great work-life balance (hybrid roles) with flexible working options in addition to a full-time working week (35 hours). If you wish to discuss any of these options, please contact the Resourcing team at .

Which? is the UK's consumer champion, here to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. You can find out more about what we do and our careers site for the application process.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves. We are proud to be in the Top 25 Inclusive Employers List and currently ranking 3rd. We want to receive applications from everyone. We believe that a diverse workforce helps us to understand and create a positive impact for consumers.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes. We will make reasonable adjustments if you need them. For assistance with applying, email . Find out more about the Disability Confident Interview Scheme and how to apply.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed and we reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.

Senior External Affairs Manager Role Profile can be downloaded as a separate document.