The opportunity
Our client is a professional body at the cutting edge of the UK’s transport and infrastructure sector.  They are currently seeking a Senior Public Affairs Manager who will work alongside the Head of Public Affairs and other colleagues to help implement their public affairs strategy: maintaining, optimising and developing political and stakeholder engagement to support the organisation’s business objectives.  The ideal candidate will be a seasoned public affairs professional, smart, creative and organised, as well as sufficiently confident to deal with senior politicians and other stakeholders, and senior colleagues within the organisation itself.
 
Main responsibilities

• To work alongside the Head of Public Affairs and other colleagues to implement the public affairs strategy
• To oversee the development of efficient stakeholder processes in relation to briefing and crisis management
• To advise and prepare directors and senior managers for meetings with ministers, key politicians and other key stakeholders, and Parliamentary select committee appearances
• To lead the relationship with certain key political stakeholders and represent the Head of Public Affairs on key political and governmental activities when s/he is unavailable
• To maintain, optimise and develop the political and stakeholder engagement to support the delivery of the organisation’s business objectives and public affairs strategy.

 
Key skills and experience required

• Success in working on lobbying campaigns to meet corporate goals, in-house or on behalf of clients and/or to enhance the reputation of organisations or a sector
• Dealing directly with senior politicians and other decision makers, including on controversial and politically sensitive issues
• Understanding of wider campaign strategies and the role in which both Parliament and the media play in delivering public affairs priorities
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with opinion formers and decision makers at a senior level from across the political spectrum
• A team player, with the ability to prioritise work in a pressurised environment and work with minimal supervision to meet deadlines.

​This newly-created role is offered as a 12-month contract initially, starting asap.  Please apply below quoting job reference RS1807-6036 or email [email protected] for further information.

We recruit the people responsible for an organisation’s communications, reputation, change, and influence. Our team of specialist headhunters is deeply connected to and embedded within, the communications, policy, advocacy, public relations, and sustainability industries. To find out more about Ellwood Atfield and to register please visit www.ellwoodatfield.com, or click ‘apply’ via the box below to submit your CV for this particular role. 

Ellwood Atfield is an equal opportunities employer.