Head of Policy and Public Affairs

Head of Policy and Public Affairs

Professional Membership Body

Hybrid Working (Central London and Home)

Salary: £60,000 plus a generous benefits package

Permanent, Full Time

My client a leading professional membership body based in Central London with over 19,000 members of all ages, stages or disciplines across the UK, is currently recruiting for a Head of Policy and Public Affairs.

The Role

To lead the policy and public affairs team to develop the association policy on a range of sector issues and deliver a proactive public affairs strategy to achieve policy change.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and deliver a strategic and robust approach to evidence-based policy development for the association.

Plan and deliver a proactive public affairs strategy to achieve policy change and the association campaign aims by ensuring the association has effective relationships with key parliamentarians and government officials across the UK.

Oversee and manage the association’s public affairs activities: drafting consultation responses; briefing parliamentarians; supporting spokespeople to undertake lobbying activities (eg giving oral evidence to committees); developing and nurturing political relationships; identifying lobbying opportunities.

Oversee the organisation of the association lobbying and networking events, including our four regional lobbying dinners, parliamentary and stakeholder events.

Work closely with the media, digital & marketing teams to develop and deliver joined-up campaign plans, including member engagement, to deliver the association’s annual policy and campaign priorities.

Manage the activities of our Policy Committee and Ethics & Welfare Advisory Panel in the development of policy positions and responses to consultations.

Oversee the effective running of policy-developing working groups and ensure actions and recommendations are taken forward.

Manage the flow of policy development and governance work through Council, ensuring that it fulfils its function as the key representative body of the Association.

Oversee the Policy & Public Affairs team in managing and developing the work of branches in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, making sure that work is coordinated across the UK.

Manage relationships with specialist divisions, affiliates, and other major stakeholders and develop opportunities for collaboration and cooperation.

Represent the association at external meetings and be an effective ambassador for the organization.

Policy making skills, including experience working in research and/or policy development.

Line management responsibility for four Policy and Public Affairs Officers (2 full time, 2 part-time; 3.2 FTE) and one Policy and Public Affairs Manager (1 FTE)

Person Specification

Experience of public affairs work, including lobbying and campaigning for policy change.

Excellent political judgement.

Stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.

Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.

Knowledge and understanding of the UK political environment, parliamentary procedures, and public affairs processes.

Ability to lead, manage and motivate teams, including in a hybrid working model.

Experience/understanding of membership or professional organisations (desirable).

To apply to this role please send your CV

Due to the volume of applications we are only able to contact successful applicants. Therefore if you have not heard from us within 10 working days please deem your application as unsuccessful on this occasion.

Membership Bespoke is acting as a recruitment business in relation to this role. Membership Bespoke positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Membership Bespoke is the most experienced membership-focused recruitment firm in the UK, with 10+ years of experience delivering tailored permanent, temporary, interim, and Executive Search recruitment solutions to Trade Associations, Regulatory Bodies, Political Parties, and Professional Bodies.