Reserves Strategic Engagement

A vacancy may arise for a Group Captain (Any Profession) to serve as Reserves Engagement & Communications Lead at RAF High Wycombe on Part Time Volunteer Reserve (PTVR) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS) utilising up to 45 Reserve Service Days (RSDs) per annum with an initial proposed start date of 01 June 2026.

This is a senior opportunity within the Reserves Directorate to lead cohere and coordinate all engagement and communication activity on behalf of RAF Reserves stakeholders. The role will develop and own the Reserves engagement & communication plan for the RAF Reserves Now Next and Future. The incumbent will support Commandant General Royal Auxiliary Air Force (CG RAuxAF) and Director Reserves to deliver against their priorities as detailed in the Air Reserves Campaign Plan (ARCP). The individual will work closely with all key Air and Space stakeholders as well as Reserve Forces & Cadets at MOD the Reserves Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) and the Defence Relationship Management (DRM) team. They will as also be a conduit into a network of employers businesses industry and academia; ensuring that the RAF capitalises on communications and engagement through others ranging from the Air Senior Leadership Team (SLT) the Honorary Air Cdres (HAC) and our Reservists. This activity will support the Head of RAF Engagement. Hybrid/remote working is available to meet Service needs with occasional UK travel for key meetings and conferences.

Scope & Focus

RAF & Defence. Coherence across the Air & Space domain the RAF RAF Reserves MOD and other Front Line Commands. This is to be cohered from the strategic to the tactical level and across the policy workforce and capability lines of development.

External stakeholders. Other government departments industry (employers of both the Active and the Strategic Reserve) academia civic society and the public advocating the RAF Reserves capabilities and value.

Active & Strategic Reserve Lens

Understand the context and role of the Active and Strategic Reserve within a WholeofSociety Approach.

Through networking and engagement devise plans that deliver through others leveraging partners such as Defence Relationship Management (DRM) Reserve Forces & Cadets Associations (RFCAs) Airs SLT RAF Reserves and our HACs) for RAuxAF units.

Key Responsibilities
Create
Develop the core narrative and strategic messages for RAF Reserves tailored for senior leaders employers and public audiences.

Own the comms & engagement plan across Now (012 months) Next (12-36 months) and Future (310 years) with measurable outcomes.
Cohere
Align engagement and comms priorities to contribute to ARCP delivery ensuring activities are cohered across the SLT Groups and our Reservists. Ensuring the messaging is coherent and mutually reinforcing.

Prepare briefings speeches media lines and engagement packs for senior stakeholders maintain a central repository for reuse by the RAF and RAF Reserves senior leadership.
Coordinate
Build and steward the stakeholder network (DRM RFCAs HACs Service charities industry academia and civic partners).

Plan programmes and campaigns that deliver through others set rhythms standards and feedback loops for sustained effect.

Monitor and report impact. Track outcomes (e.g. policy influence partnerships employer support audience reach) and provide evidencebased recommendations to the Air Senior Leadership Team.