Job Description

There's no place like Heathrow when it comes to the scale of our ambitions. Together, we're working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. Our Communications, Communities and Carbon function brings together engagement, communications and sustainability leadership. This is about more than protecting and enhancing our reputation. Focusing on the experiences of our passengers, colleagues and partners, we ensure that as Heathrow thrives, so too will our people, our communities, our country and our world.


Our sustainability strategy, Heathrow 2.0, is central to everything we do. We are committed to sustainable aviation, as Heathrow works to deliver net zero and build a better place to live and work. We work with industry leading experts to deliver on our ambitions, meeting the growing international demand for flight in a way that creates a positive impact far beyond our airport.



The External Affairs Lead is a member of Heathrow's dynamic Policy and Public Affairs (PAP) team and is responsible for the strategic engagement of Heathrow's relationships with business groups, chambers of commerce and third-party stakeholders across the nations and regions of the UK. They will be a confident advocate for Heathrow externally and be able to champion core business priorities, securing third party support for Heathrow's key policy asks.



Develop and maintain excellent relationships with a wide range of external stakeholders throughout the nations and regions of the UK on behalf of Heathrow. Secure third-party advocacy for Heathrow's key policy asks and communications priorities. The development of an external affairs strategy - including prioritising team resource effectively and how this supports the objectives of the overall PAP team. Support the activation of both proactive and reactive communications strategies to build the reputation of Heathrow. Scan the political horizon for issues relevant to Heathrow and proactively develop strategies to address them. Arrange meetings, draft briefings, review work of the team and organise to Heathrow visits for key stakeholders to be able to explain complex issues in a straightforward manner. Be part of an on Incident Response Team.

Experienced and confident in representing an organisation to external audiences. They will own Heathrow's relationships with external stakeholders to maintain and build support for Heathrow's priorities and therefore will need a credible and authoritative voice. They will be seen as a source of expertise and go-to resource for communications advice from across Heathrow. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. The role holder will need to be able to understand complex information and present it in a way which is easy for stakeholders to understand. They may be asked to represent the company at public meetings, debates and consultations. Excellent team player and takes a proactive approach to updating and sharing information with colleagues. Working as part of a dynamic team this person will seek opportunities to support colleagues, bring new perspectives and work on projects outside of their direct role responsibilities.

There's something so special about working at the world's most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.


Every day, you'll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.


It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we're working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.


Join us on that journey and we'll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there's no place like Heathrow.

Our rewards

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we'll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we'll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you'll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.

Working Location

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow . Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You'll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

Sustainable Travel to work

Heathrow's Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger - not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.