Associate Director - Public Affairs

Reuben Sinclair Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Company pension

25 days holiday

Private medical insurance

Enhanced family leave

Cycle-to-work

Season-ticket loans

Hybrid working

Job summary

Reuben Sinclair Ltd, a boutique strategic advisory firm, seeks an Associate Director in Public Affairs to guide senior client counsel on political, regulatory and reputational matters. You will lead delivery across client teams, coordinate with Directors and Partners and manage multiple high-stakes workstreams.

Applicants should have strong public affairs experience, UK political knowledge, and leadership capabilities. Hybrid working and a discretionary bonus are offered as part of the package.

Qualifications

• Proven public affairs or policy experience within an agency, corporate, trade association, government, political party or related environment.
• Strong understanding of UK politics, policy processes and current affairs.
• Excellent strategic thinking, written and verbal communication, client advisory and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience managing people, multiple workstreams and high-stakes issues.
• Confident contributing to new business and business development.

Responsibilities

• Monitoring political and business developments, anticipating risks and opportunities.
• Developing proactive strategies and managing multiple client workstreams.
• Line-managing and coaching colleagues, supporting new business proposals and marketing activity.
• Building relationships with external stakeholders and deputising for Partners and Directors.

Skills

Public affairs expertise

UK political knowledge

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

People management

Business development

Client advisory

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Drive

Social media platforms

Job description

About the company

Our client is an independent strategic advisory firm helping leaders and organisations build influence and shape their reputations at critical moments. Through discreet, bespoke advice, strategy and implementation, it supports businesses, charities, individuals and governments in achieving their goals.

The firm combines deep expertise in public affairs with broader capabilities across corporate communications and reputation management. Its senior practitioners bring experience from government, leading communications consultancies and high-profile in-house roles. The culture is centred on long-standing client relationships, straight-talking counsel, disciplined delivery and a professional, flexible and collaborative approach.

What the job entails

The Associate Director, Public Affairs will provide senior counsel to clients on political, regulatory and reputational issues, while helping lead the operational delivery of client teams. The role will work closely with Directors and Partners to ensure effective coordination, high-quality execution and strong client relationships.

Responsibilities will include monitoring political and business developments, anticipating risks and opportunities, developing proactive strategies, and managing multiple client workstreams with competing priorities. The Associate Director will also line-manage and coach colleagues, support new business proposals and marketing activity, and build valuable relationships with external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will contribute to the continued growth of the business and deputise for Partners and Directors when appropriate. Experience with a Labour Party focus would be advantageous, although candidates with corporate communications experience in the financial services sector will also be considered.

Key requirements / What we look for

• Proven public affairs or policy experience within an agency, corporate, trade association, government, political party or related environment.
• Strong understanding of UK politics, policy processes and current affairs.
• Excellent strategic thinking, written and verbal communication, client advisory and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience managing people, multiple workstreams and high-stakes issues.
• Confident contributing to new business and business development.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Drive, social media, research and media platforms.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary of £60,000–£80,000, depending on experience.
• Discretionary bonus and company pension.
• 25 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days with length-of-service awards.
• Private medical insurance and enhanced family leave.
• Cycle-to-work scheme, season-ticket loans and hybrid working.
• Friendly, social and flexible working environment.