We are looking for a Head of External Relations to lead delivery of and strengthen Plunkett UK’s communications, marketing, membership and partnership activity.
Role: Head of External Relations
Reporting to: Chief Executive
Line Reports: Communications Manager, Policy Manager, Partnerships Manager, Partnerships Manager (Suppliers and Membership)
Salary Band: £40,000 – £65,945
Contract: Full-time and permanent
Location: Woodstock, Oxfordshire. We value in-person collaboration and this role is primarily office based, with flexibility available where appropriate and regular travel across the UK.
The Head of External Relations will lead delivery of Plunkett UK’s Stronger Movement strategic priority, strengthening the organisation’s visibility, influence, membership and external relationships.
The postholder will lead Plunkett UK’s communications, marketing, membership and partnership activity, ensuring the organisation is better understood, more visible and more influential among the audiences that matter most to our mission, while helping to build a stronger and more connected rural community business movement.
We are particularly looking for someone whose experience, energy and passion lean towards strategic communications and marketing.
A particular priority for this role will be to strengthen Plunkett’s communications and marketing. We have a strong story to tell, but we know that our impact, expertise and role within the rural community business movement are not always sufficiently recognised by community businesses, funders, policymakers, corporate partners and other stakeholders.
The postholder will bring strategic leadership, initiative and creativity to how Plunkett presents itself, helping ensure our work is understood and our voice is heard.
The role will also provide clear ownership of Plunkett’s membership strategy, and help build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across government, funders, membership suppliers, partners and the wider social economy.
The successful candidate should have the following skills and attributes:
We are committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and our approach goes beyond ‘protected characteristics’ to thinking more broadly about inclusion. Every individual will think and feel differently and we believe that these differences should be embraced, and individual needs taken into account. Additionally, the makeup of the rural communities we work with leads to their own particular diversity and exclusion challenges and opportunities compared to urban areas. Our commitment to EDI, both internally and externally, has been tailored to Plunkett and the communities we serve.
We ask that you complete a diversity monitoring form in order to monitor the effectiveness of our policies. The completion of this form is voluntary.
To apply for the role, please firstly read our recruitment pack, which you can download here.
Please submit an up-to-date CV and covering letter, including a supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4 outlining your suitability for the role according to the job description.
Please send your application to: hr@plunkett.co.uk
Closing date for applications: Monday 28 September 2026 at 9am
Interview date: w/c 5 October at our offices in Woodstock
No agencies please.
