Head of External Engagement

Head of External Engagement

Active Travel England

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 5th April 2026

📍 Location: York (Hybrid)

💷 Salary: £69,501 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

🕘️ Contract Type: Permanent– Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

🏆️ Available Positions: 1

Active Travel England (ATE) enables people nationwide to be more active by making streets safer and more accessible for walking, wheeling and cycling. As Head of External Engagement, you will lead strategic relationships with local authorities, mayoral combined authorities and senior partners across government, ensuring the right support is in place to deliver high-quality active travel outcomes.

As Head of External Engagement, you will lead stakeholder relationships for Active Travel England, coordinate regional teams, and support local authorities in delivering active travel schemes. You will drive external engagement, foster partnerships across government and local bodies, and ensure strategic objectives are met. Strong communication, coordination, and leadership skills are essential as you advance ATE’s mission for safer, healthier, and more sustainable communities.

Top Responsibilities

* Act as the main liaison on active travel issues, representing ATE in wider transport policy and government priorities such as decarbonisation

* Provide trusted strategic advice to the Commissioner on stakeholder engagement, communications, and reputational matters

* Lead accurate and tailored briefings and presentations in collaboration with policy, communications, and private office teams

* Maintain strong relationships with key bodies including regional government departments, third sector organisations, and Mayoral Combined Authorities

* Determine and coordinate ATE services for local authorities, including scheme design assurance, funding, and data requirements for monitoring and evaluation

* Support governance and oversight through ATE’s PMO, reporting relevant issues to senior management

* Monitor progress of schemes across a £4bn portfolio, recommending financial change control decisions and ensuring design compliance

* Lead the External Engagement Team, managing regional responsibilities and the Commissioner’s speaking calendar to meet strategic objectives

Benefits

* Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here

* 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).

* 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.

* Access to the staff discount portal.

* Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.

* Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.

* 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.

* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About You

You will have the ability to deal with uncertainty, keep in mind the bigger picture and look beyond the status quo to see how things could be improved. You will lead your teams to effectively deliver against ATE’s priorities whilst fostering a happy and supportive working environment for your team.

You will communicate clearly, honestly and persuasively with your team, ATE colleagues and external stakeholders whilst also welcoming their insights or constructive challenge. You will adopt a cross-organisation and cross-government perspective and ensure your team’s work reflects wider Government policy and where appropriate, challenges and improves delivery for the benefit of citizens.

Required experience:

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

* Experience of local transport to a senior level, either locally or nationally, with an understanding of local authority perspectives in developing transport policy and infrastructure

* Experience of building effective relationships with senior external stakeholders

* Experience of strategic delivery of key initiatives, projects, or policies across regions

* Excellent communication and external relations handling skills

How to Apply

👉 Read the full description and apply at CS Jobs using the link provided.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 5th April 2026