Director of Policy & Public Affairs

Are you a senior policy and public affairs specialist with a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills and a strong interest in heritage and cultural policy? If so, we’re keen to hear from you as we recruit a new Director of Policy & Public Affairs at Historic Houses.

Historic Houses represents around 1,400 historic houses, castles and gardens in independent ownership across the UK. Our member houses and gardens welcome over 22 million visits each year, generating £1.3 billion in visitor spend and supporting over 33,000 FTE jobs across the country. They include some of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, as well as hundreds of places that play a vital role in their local communities.

The Director of Policy & Public Affairs is a key member of our London-based office team. The postholder will develop and implement a public affairs strategy for Historic Houses, seeking to influence the development of public policy in the interests of the houses and gardens that we represent. The role will therefore involve building and maintaining good relations with stakeholders, in government and in the sectors in which we operate. The postholder will develop and implement public affairs campaigns, commission research projects as necessary, and advise member houses on policy, public affairs and education-related matters.

The postholder manages a full-time Policy & Engagement Manager, a Parliamentary & Public Affairs Officer, and a part-time Policy Adviser for Wales (home-based).  

Application details

The full role profile, job description and person specification can be read here. The closing date for applications is 18 October, with first round interviews commencing on 29 October.

To apply, please email your CV and a covering letter (outlining your suitability for the role with reference to the person specification) to Ben Cowell, Director General via the button below. Please include contact information for two referees and details of your notice period (if applicable).

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ben Cowell, Director General by an email.