Head of Public Affairs / Policy Manager

Job Title: Head of Public Affairs

Location: London

Salary: £43,000 – £52,000 per annum based upon experience, plus commission and benefits

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

The Company represents the companies and technologies that are defining today the world that they will live in tomorrow. The trade body for the tech sector, representing 800+ employers across the sector ranging from FTSE 100 companies too SME’s, who make up more than 60% of the membership.

They are looking for a dynamic and committed policy professional with a background in public affairs to join a small team focused on UK tech policy issues. This is an exciting opportunity to work in an intellectually stimulating, fast-paced and creative environment that addresses some of the most important policy issues of their age.

Digital technologies have a profound impact on almost every aspect of their lives and the pace and extent of technological innovation continues to accelerate at an exponential rate. This means that they have to work across a broad landscape of diverse issues from the development of long-term skills and innovation policy to rapid response on breaking news stories.

They have built a strong reputation as a leading voice on tech policy issues in the UK and internationally. As the UK Government and regulators renew their focus on digital, tech and innovation in all its forms, this is an exciting opportunity to help to shape the future policy framework, working closely with their member companies and other key stakeholders.

The Role:

As Head of Public Affairs, you will build and maintain relationships with their key public affairs audiences to enhance their influence, reputation and profile in Whitehall, Westminster and across the devolved administrations and regions.

Key Responsibilities:

• You will support the Chief Executive and senior leadership team to engage effectively with senior policy makers
• Lead the company’s political intelligence-gathering, informing their strategic decisions
• Work closely with the programme, policy and communications teams to manage and implement an effective contact programme, ensuring in-house CRM is used effectively
• You will represent the company at key stakeholder events, forums and conferences
• Support staff and members to build and maintain their own relationships with relevant stakeholders

Key Competencies:

• Highly motivated with a positive, can do attitude
• A team player who is comfortable working with diverse teams and stakeholders
• Ability to build strong and effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with competing demands
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to get to grips with complex technical information and to communicate it effectively

Person Specification:

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• Comprehensive understanding of UK policy and political landscape, particularly from a business perspective
• Proven experience in public policy, public affairs and stakeholder engagement with a track record of successfully engaging contacts to meet objectives
• Excellent grasp of the workings of Whitehall, Parliament and relevant regulators
• Experience in public policy, public affairs, regulatory affairs and stakeholder engagement
• Track record in managing complex relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Comfortable with and experience of working with senior figures
• Good understanding of the role of trade bodies
• Strong interest in technology, innovation and current affairs
• Broad understanding of the technology industry landscape and the positioning and role of trade bodies

Desired Knowledge and Experience

• Experience working in or with the technology sector
• Experience working with the media

This role profile is a guide to the work that is required but does not form part of any contract of employment and may change from time to time to reflect changing circumstances.

The successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. Due to the volume of applications they receive, if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of applying, please deem your application as unsuccessful on this occasion.

Please click the APPLY button to send your CV and Cover Letter for this role. Cover letters must be kept to a max. of 500 words.

Applications without cover letter will not be accepted.

Candidates with experience Cof; Public Affairs, Policy Manager, Senior Policy Manager, Policy Adviser, Senior Policy Adviser, Local Council Policy Manager, Non-Profit Programme Manager, Public Sector Programme Management, ICT Programme Manager, Technology Programme Manager, Technical Programme Manager, Technology Implementation Manager, ICT Business Programme Manager may also be considered for this role.