Odgers Berndtson is looking for a Director of Communications – Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) – Salary: £98k-£145k

The Role

This is a unique and career-defining opportunity to lead the communications function at the heart of UK foreign policy and international development. As Director of Communications at the FCDO, you will use the power of words, images and strategic engagement to shape perceptions and drive global understanding of the UK’s mission in the world.

You will lead a team of over 150 skilled professionals across all communication disciplines—media, digital, internal engagement, insight and evaluation, strategy and planning. Following the recent merger of the Foreign Office and Department for International Development, the communications function has been redesigned with renewed energy, capability, and ambition. You will lead with purpose, creativity, and political acumen to deliver world-class communication that supports our diplomatic and development objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the FCDO’s most senior communications adviser, responsible for setting direction, managing reputational risk, and providing Ministers and senior leaders with trusted, professional counsel.
• Lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive communication strategy aligned with departmental and cross-government priorities, grounded in audience insight and delivering measurable impact.
• Manage a communication budget of £11.5 million (TBC), ensuring effective and efficient delivery of communication campaigns across diverse audiences, from domestic stakeholders to global partners.
• Maintain a clear, consistent and credible narrative that explains and promotes UK foreign policy, tailored to both UK and international audiences.
• Work closely with special advisers, press teams and government departments to ensure effective media handling, proactive storytelling and rapid response to emerging issues.
• Support Ambassadors and global network staff to strengthen communication capability and coherence across the FCDO’s international footprint.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Represent the FCDO at the highest levels across government, including with the Chief Executive of Government Communications and Directors of Communication from other departments.
• Contribute to the leadership of the cross-government communication profession, developing and sharing best practice, driving innovation and building capability.
• Support delivery of national communication priorities through involvement in National Security Council structures and wider Whitehall coordination.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior communication leaders from foreign governments, identifying opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning.

People and Culture

• Lead a geographically distributed team, championing inclusivity, wellbeing, and professional excellence.
• Foster a culture of innovation, data-driven decision-making, and continuous learning within the FCDO’s communication profession.
• Be a visible role model for the FCDO’s cultural vision—valuing expertise, encouraging diverse perspectives, reducing unnecessary process and placing respect and kindness at the core of leadership.

Person Specification

Working at the FCDO offers a unique chance to influence global affairs and national reputation. We are looking for a leader with the following:

Essential Experience

• A track record of developing and delivering strategic, innovative, and impactful communications in complex and high-profile environments.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with experience advising at Board or Ministerial level, and building trust with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent judgement and political awareness, with the ability to understand the geopolitical landscape and manage reputational risk.
• Experience leading strategic and reactive communications, using data and insight to drive decisions and evaluate impact.
• Proven crisis communications experience—leading communications in preparation for, response to, and recovery from significant events.
• Experience leading large, distributed teams, with a focus on inclusion, engagement and high performance.
• Demonstrated leadership in communication capability-building and change delivery within complex organisations.

Join Us

This is a pivotal role at the heart of one of the UK’s most important global institutions. If you are an inclusive and visionary communications leader, able to navigate complexity, manage risk, and deliver results through inspired teams—this could be the most rewarding chapter of your career. To apply visit the official Odgers Bendtson website.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring company. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.