Assistant Director, Public Affairs

Scottish Funding Council; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent public funding organization is seeking a Head of Public Affairs to lead strategic government and parliamentary relations. This role requires experience in stakeholder engagement and a deep understanding of the political environment in Scotland and the UK. The candidate must possess exceptional communication skills and proven leadership abilities. The position offers a unique opportunity to enhance the organization's reputation while influencing policy and engagement with key stakeholders in the public sector.

Qualifications

• Experience of stakeholder engagement in a political environment, especially with parliament and government.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to respond to complex issues demonstrating good judgement.

Responsibilities

• Deliver bespoke briefings for senior colleagues.
• Provide well-evidenced advice on stakeholder engagement.
• Lead government and parliamentary relations function.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Influencing skills

Political analysis

Written communication

Oral communication

Project management

Leadership skills

Education

Degree level (SCQF Level 9) or equivalent

Job description

To lead the SFC’s Public Affairs function, providing effective and strategic government and parliamentary relations in a way which enhances SFC’s reputation as a responsive and expert advisor; to develop central oversight of the organisation’s engagement with government and parliament; and to advise senior colleagues through expert advice.

Key responsibilities

1. Deliver high quality, bespoke briefings for senior colleagues, including briefings for parliamentary committees.
2. Provide well-evidenced advice across all areas of stakeholder engagement, with a particular focus on government and parliamentary relations.
3. Lead the government and parliamentary relations function. ensuring that government and parliamentary key engagements are reflected in the organisation’s operational plans; and establishing and maintaining good working relationships with government and parliamentary stakeholders.
4. Oversee an effective and responsive parliamentary monitoring process (e.g. tracking Parliamentary Questions, committees, debates etc.) to identify where interest lies in SFC-related issues and ensure appropriate follow-up.
5. Ensure SFC makes appropriate input into parliamentary inquiries and co-ordinate written and oral evidence ensuring that those giving evidence are appropriately briefed.
6. Take a leading role, with support from External Affairs and Policy colleagues, in the development and delivery of SFC advice and messages for government and parliamentary audiences.
7. Deputise for the Head of External Affairs (Deputy Director) as required.

Skills, qualifications and experience

Essential

• Experience of stakeholder engagement and influencing within a complex political environment, particularly with parliament, representative bodies, national government and agencies.
• Experience of the development and delivery of advice and key messages for internal and external stakeholders.
• A demonstrable understanding of the current Scottish and UK political and government operating environment.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to analyse, understand and respond to complex issues in an appropriate manner, demonstrating good judgement in a politicised environment.
• Effective organisation and project management skills to respond to a diverse and changing workload.
• Highly developed people and leadership skills: including influencing, negotiating and relationship management, and a proven track record of leading and managing people effectively.
• Educated to degree level (SCQF Level 9) or equivalent.

Desirable

• Experience of non-departmental public bodies, further education, higher education, research and/or innovation.
• Experience of managing an operational function efficiently and effectively.