Head of External Affairs

The Head of External Affairs will lead Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre’s external affairs function, and will help set the strategic direction for advocacy, policy, public affairs and communications strategies.

Role Description

The Head of External Affairs will lead Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre’s external affairs function, and will help set the strategic direction for advocacy, policy, public affairs and communications strategies. Reporting directly to the Director of Membership & External Affairs, the postholder will play a pivotal role in advancing the interests of theatre across the UK and ensuring the sector’s voice is effectively represented at the highest levels of government, industry and public life.

The role has two core strands. The first is public affairs and policy: developing and delivering integrated influencing strategies that build relationships with ministers, parliamentarians, civil servants and industry partners, and ensure SOLT & UK Theatre’s advocacy priorities shape the political and regulatory environment in which theatres operate. Alongside this sits a distinct media relations and communications remit: building the profile and reputation of SOLT & UK Theatre with journalists and the public, supporting our Co-CEOs and other spokespeople in media opportunities, and protecting the organisations’ reputation through issues and crisis communications. While your experience may be more in one area than the other, the postholder will need to develop an integrated External Affairs strategy and flex between the two strands as political and reputational priorities demand, working closely with members, policymakers, industry partners and the media so that SOLT & UK Theatre is recognised as an authoritative and trusted voice for the theatre sector.

As a senior leader, the postholder will provide strategic advice to the Executive leadership including the Co-CEOs, Presidents and Boards on political, policy and reputational matters, identifying opportunities and risks within the external environment and translating these into effective advocacy and communications activity. They will lead and develop a high-performing team and ensure that all external affairs activity delivers measurable impact for members and supports the organisations’ strategic objectives.

We welcome applications from all and are open to discussing access requirements. If you would like to discuss any access needs during your application or, if you are selected for interview, at the interview stage, please email us at jobs@soltukt.co.uk and the HR team will get in touch with you.

We cannot support Visa applications; all applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Download the full job pack

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please email your CV and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) with responses to the three questions below:

1. In no more than 150 words, describe why you’re interested in this Head of External Affairs role and what draws you to working in the theatre or live events sector.
2. Please describe your experience of influencing decision-makers on behalf of an organisation, sector or membership body. How did you build relationships, manage competing interests and achieve the desired outcome?
3. This role involves advising senior leaders, developing policy positions, managing stakeholder relationships and responding to fast-moving external pressures. Please describe your experience with these kinds of responsibilities and how you ensure high-quality, accurate work under pressure.

Please submit applications to: barry@ellwoodatfield.com

Closing Date for Applications: Friday 28 August 2026