YES Energy Solutions
Head of External Affairs
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About the organisation:
YES Energy Solutions is a Community Interest Company dedicated to tackling fuel poverty and helping households live in warmer, more affordable homes. With no shareholders, YES reinvests its profits into home energy improvements for low-income and vulnerable households across the country. Its work is guided by three values: Green, Great and Gracious.
The opportunity:
This newly created role gives an experienced external affairs leader the chance to build YES’s public affairs and reputation function from the ground up, working closely with the CEO, Executive Team and Board. It is a rare opportunity to shape how a fast-growing, purpose-driven organisation is seen, heard and understood by government, regulators and the communities it serves.
Main responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver a clear external affairs strategy aligned to YES’s purpose, five-year strategic objectives and commercial goals.
- Own YES’s approach to public affairs, political engagement and policy influence at national, regional and local level, building trusted relationships with Ministers, government officials and regulators.
- Lead corporate communications, media relations and crisis communications, acting as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Executive Team and Board.
- Develop and maintain a strategic stakeholder map, building insightful relationships across government, regulators, industry bodies, funders and community organisations.
- Own the corporate brand, reputation framework and organisational narrative for YES.
- Represent YES at external forums, conferences and industry groups where reputation, policy influence and organisational visibility are the goal.
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Key skills and experience required:
- Significant proven experience in external affairs, public relations, public affairs or communications, ideally within energy, energy efficiency or regional/local government.
- Strong understanding of UK politics and the policy landscape, with a track record of engaging senior political and policy stakeholders.
- Proven ability to advise and communicate effectively with senior executives and Board members.
- Excellent influencing, stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
- Experience managing reputational issues or crisis communications.
- Demonstrable commitment to social impact and the purpose and profit-for-purpose model of a Community Interest Company.
Additional information:
- £65,000–£78,000 (full-time equivalent, pro rata), plus 5% pension and 23 days’ holiday (pro rata) plus bank holidays.
- The role can be based from either Halifax or London but regular travel across both locations will be required.
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"YES Energy Solutions and Ellwood Atfield are looking first and foremost for the right person for this role, not simply a checklist match. There is openness to discussion around the working pattern, including whether this is a full-time or part-time appointment and around location, given the hybrid nature of the role. If you don't feel you meet every requirement but believe you could be the right fit, we would still encourage you to get in touch for a confidential conversation."
How to apply:
To apply, please submit via our website below and include a copy of your CV.
Application deadline: 5pm, Tuesday 13th October 2026.
Ellwood Atfield:
Ellwood Atfield is the leading headhunter for corporate affairs, communications, policy, and advocacy. An employee-owned boutique search firm, we help you hire the most senior leaders and everyone who reports to them. We promise to connect talented people, smoothly and efficiently.
Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are an equal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession to ensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.
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