Director of Corporate Affairs & Communications

Director of Corporate Affairs & Communications

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the powerful voice of the UK’s vibrant, resilient, and diverse food and drink manufacturing industry. Representing over 1,000 members from global brands to innovative start-ups, we champion the sector’s interests, shape policy, and foster the right conditions for growth, investment, and employment. Our members employ nearly 500,000 people and generate £38 billion in gross value added each year, making us the largest manufacturing sector in the country.

As the industry faces new challenges and opportunities from food security and sustainability to healthier diets and innovation FDF’s role as a convenor, advocate, and thought leader has never been more important.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an outstanding Director of Corporate Affairs & Communications to join our leadership team at a pivotal moment for the sector. This is a high-profile, strategic role leading a talented team of corporate affairs and communications professionals. You will shape the narrative for our industry, build influential relationships across Westminster, Whitehall, devolved administrations, and the media, and ensure our members’ voices are heard on the issues that matter most.

You will provide strategic leadership across public affairs, media relations, reputation management, and political engagement. As a key member of the leadership team, you will contribute to FDF’s strategic planning and play a central role in advocating for our sector, managing reputational risks, and supporting our members as we navigate a rapidly evolving environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead FDF’s corporate affairs and communications strategy, positioning the industry with senior stakeholders across government and the media.
• Build and maintain influential relationships with political, official, and media contacts to support FDF’s ability to influence policy and public debate.
• Shape and deliver compelling narratives across all media channels, raising the profile of FDF and its members.
• Act as a senior spokesperson when required, providing calm, authoritative leadership in high-pressure situations.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team, ensuring collaborative working across the organisation.
• Anticipate and manage reputational risks, advising the CEO, Board, and senior colleagues on communications strategy and media handling.
• Support member recruitment and retention by demonstrating FDF’s impact, influence, and value.

About You

• Significant senior leadership experience in public affairs, communications, or parliamentary relations, ideally in a complex, politically sensitive environment.
• Proven track record of leading high-performing communications and press office functions, with responsibility for strategy, messaging, and media relations.
• Sophisticated understanding of government, politics, and economics, and how industry engages effectively on key issues.
• Exceptional relationship-builder, able to cultivate senior-level contacts across politics, media, industry, and stakeholder organisations.
• Highly credible spokesperson with excellent media-handling skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term positioning with the need for responsive, tactical interventions.
• Experience in the food and drink sector and/or membership organisations is useful but not essential.
• Demonstratable experience of translating complex policy issues into clear, persuasive narratives for diverse audiences.

How to Apply

For more information on this opportunity, including access to the full candidate brief, please click on this link and you will be redirected to our search partner, Berwick Partners.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Thomas Ewen at Berwick Partners: thomas.ewen@berwickpartners.co.uk.

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and a covering statement outlining your motivations and suitability for the role.

Closing date for applications: 23:45 on Sunday 23 November 2025