32536 - Government Relations Senior Adviser

Environment Agency; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a professional to enhance its reputation through political engagement. The successful candidate will work within the Government Relations team, managing relationships with ministers, provide strategic advice, and support national engagement campaigns. Candidates must possess excellent communication skills and a good understanding of parliamentary processes. The role involves maintaining stakeholder relationships and responding to incidents, particularly during significant environmental events.

Qualifications

• Strong political judgment and awareness.
• Ability to deliver strategic engagement activities.
• Experience in delivering engagement events desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support work with ministers, politicians, and stakeholders.
• Maintain relationships with key departmental teams.
• Provide expert advice on stakeholder handling.
• Lead preparation for select committee inquiries.
• Support local engagement and plan national campaigns.
• Maintain positive working relationships for advice sharing.
• Keep business updated on parliamentary processes.
• Play an active role in incident response.

Skills

Political judgement

Understanding of parliamentary processes

Experience with strategic engagement

Building rapport

Ability to work under pressure

Excellent written and verbal skills

Attention to detail

Understanding of the environmental sector

Job description

The Environment Agency (EA) is fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

In this role you will protect and enhance the Environment Agency's reputation by working flexibly within the Government Relations team and responding to work pressures. The role works across the organisation, which may range from issues of flood risk, climate change, environmental protection and circular economy, planning to water resources and quality.

Responsibilities

• support our work with ministers, politicians and our top stakeholders and partners.
• maintain relationships with key departmental teams, including Defra.
• provide expert advice on political and strategic stakeholder handling to Chair, Chief Executive, senior leaders, and the organisation.
• lead on the preparations for the Environment Agency’s input to select committee inquiries.
• support local engagement with elected representatives and plan national engagement campaigns when appropriate.
• maintain positive working relationships with internal and external contacts for sharing advice and intelligence.
• keep the business updated on relevant parliamentary processes and sentiment.
• play an active role in incident response, including during major flooding.

The role may entail line management.

The team

The Government Relations Team

• brings together the information from across the business to respond to parliamentary scrutiny mechanisms such as parliamentary questions, debates, select committee and ministerial briefings
• advises the business, including Areas, on political engagement and provides political intelligence
• oversees EA’s sponsorship relationship with Defra

Experience / Skills Required

• Good political judgment and awareness.
• A good understanding of parliamentary and government processes.
• Experience in delivering and advising on strategic engagement activities and campaigns. Experience in delivering engagement events is desirable.
• The ability to work closely with senior managers and foster a network of contacts, building rapport and relationships quickly.
• A flexible approach and the ability to deliver high quality work to tight deadlines and work well under pressure, knowing when to refer to colleagues for guidance and support.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• An attention to detail and capable of presenting information in a clear style and format.
• A good understanding of the environmental sector is desirable.