The Oil and Gas Authority’s role is to work with the industry and government on economic recovery of the UK’s oil and gas resources, whilst also supporting the move to net zero carbon by 2050.

Our ambition is to be a world-leading authority setting the framework for a sustainable and competitive UK oil and gas industry.  We believe that economic recovery of oil and gas is not in conflict with the transition to net zero carbon and that the industry has the skills, technology and capital to help unlock solutions to help the UK achieve the net zero target.

Brief overview of role

We’re looking for an experienced Senior External Affairs Manager with a successful track record.

This is an exciting time and the energy transition is well underway in the North Sea. We regulate and influence the oil, gas and carbon storage industries. We help drive North Sea energy transition, realising the significant potential of the UK Continental Shelf as a critical energy and carbon abatement resource. We hold industry to account on halving upstream emissions by 2030.

We work with government, industry and other regulators to accelerate the move to net zero while meeting the UK’s energy demand and security.  

We aim to be a value creator in everything we do, encouraging and enabling economic benefit and job creation across the UK. We drive greater efficiency through inclusive leadership, data, analysis, stewardship and the use of our powers.

2022 is set to be a busy year as we continue to progress our vital net zero work and accelerate the North Sea energy transition. This is an exciting time to join us; as our role continues to change and evolve, the need to keep our stakeholders fully engaged and aware of our work has never been so apparent.

This is a new and crucial role which will help grow our stakeholder and external affairs activity to support the successful delivery of our priorities. The post holder will be responsible for owning and managing a wide variety of high profile external engagement activity.

We’re looking for someone to put a considerable focus on proactively growing our profile across external affairs, building trust and deepening relationships with: government officials; advisors; MPs; MSPs; think tanks; NGOs; academia; senior industry leaders; and other key influencers. The post holder will also be responsible for forward planning our busy calendar of events and speaking opportunities, identifying those with the best impact, co-ordinating speakers and briefings.

Detailed job description and key responsibilities

We’re looking for someone with high energy, confidence and enthusiasm; a great networker who gets things done. The post holder will be a natural project manager and an inspiring leader.  

The Senior External Affairs Manager should ideally bring strong connections to the types of stakeholders we need to engage with. A proven track record of quickly establishing vital relationships is essential.  

Ideally, this person should have a sound working knowledge of government, be politically astute and be able to work independently to identify opportunities. Working with industry and across government, the Senior External Affairs Manager will help protect and enhance the organisation’s reputation, ensuring our stakeholders are engaged and understand our work.

The successful candidate would be expected to have substantial experience from a background which could include public affairs, policy, stakeholder engagement, politics or corporate communications more generally. The post holder should be focused, highly motivated and have outstanding influencing, presentation and written skills. The Senior External Affairs Manager will line manage three direct reports and will report to the Head of Communications and External Affairs.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive stakeholder mapping and engagement programme.
• Deepen our relationships across government, ministers, officials, policy makers, elected members and other key influencers.
• Own and manage the organisation’s presence at events. Proactively identify and secure speaking opportunities and work with speakers to prepare materials.
• Responsibility for briefing senior leaders internally and within govt on specific issues.
• Take part in an out-of-hours on call rota

Specialist Skills, Qualifications, Experience, Licenses, Memberships or Language

Essential

• Substantial experience of working in similar roles, perhaps from the world of politics, public affairs, external affairs or other stakeholder engagement roles
• Strong working knowledge of government (preferably both UK and Scottish governments) and a comprehensive grasp of the political landscape
• Superb project planning skills and a track record of delivering effective stakeholder communications campaigns
• Experience of developing and managing outreach and tracking tools
• Strong networking skills and the ability to seek out and build constructive working relationships
• Ability to communicate effectively across all levels of an organisation
• Outstanding written, editing and presentation skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines, plan and prioritise workload
• Meticulous attention to detail

 Desirable:                

• Experience of working in the energy industry or on energy-related issues
• Previous line management experience / track record of leading high performing teams