Deputy Head of External Affairs

KPMG International Cooperative; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global professional services firm in Birmingham is seeking a Deputy Head of External Affairs to drive strategic engagement and influence public policy. You will shape the External Affairs strategy, manage day-to-day operations, and represent the firm to key stakeholders. Ideal candidates should have a strong track record in navigating policy landscapes and excellent communication skills. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of business and government to promote growth and strengthen KPMG's policy influence.

Benefits

Cross-functional collaboration

Competitive salary and benefits

Qualifications

• Proven track record of engaging with senior stakeholders in complex policy landscapes.
• Deep understanding of business, politics, and current affairs.
• Ability to lead and develop team members.

Responsibilities

• Shape the overall External Affairs strategy.
• Deputise at Director level as needed.
• Build a network of external stakeholders.
• Provide timely political updates to KPMG colleagues.
• Conduct assessments of proposed policy changes.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Policy-making knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Overview

Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, regulatory change, and heightened public scrutiny, KPMG's ability to engage constructively with stakeholders—particularly government and business leaders—is critical to protecting and enhancing the firm's reputation and influence. The firm is looking to recruit a new Deputy Head of External Affairs to help the firm navigate, respond to and engage with the political and policy environment. This role will be instrumental in shaping KPMG's external voice and influence on critical public policy issues and will drive strategic engagement with senior leaders across policymakers and business, ensuring KPMG's perspectives are heard and impactful. The External Affairs team leads the firm's work around government, policymakers, think tanks and trade bodies. It is a key part of the Public Policy & Strategic Engagement hub which is at the forefront of KPMG's external stakeholder relations, also encompassing the Board Leadership Centre, Investor Insights, and Regulatory Policy and Engagement. The PPSE hub manages all non-client, non-compliance external engagement, fostering relationships with politicians, trade bodies, think tanks, business leaders, and regulators. We also develop influential thought leadership on key public policy debates, from audit reform and the future of the profession to sustainable leadership and growth. PPSE sits within the wider Corporate Affairs and Marketing domain.

Responsibilities

• Shape the overall External Affairs strategy, working closely with the Head of External Affairs to agree priority issues to focus on each year.
• Deputise at Director level on the Corporate Affairs and Marketing leadership team and wider CAM activity where required.
• Play a leading role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the wider team, and line-manage junior colleagues.
• External engagement: Build a network of external stakeholders supportive of KPMG's priority issues relating to growth, including with MPs, special advisers and government officials.
• Represent the firm at roundtables and events to promote KPMG priorities and public policy thought leadership, and share intelligence internally to further strengthen our insights for clients.
• Oversee KPMG's memberships with key trade bodies and think tanks and actively participate in their activities to facilitate commercial opportunities with potential clients.
• Political insight and analysis: Develop the firm's political insights function to help strengthen client conversations on political and policy developments.
• Provide timely and concise political updates to KPMG colleagues across the firm - both in person and via email - to ensure our advice to clients is consistent.
• Create a wide range of insight materials to help client-facing staff maximise commercial opportunities relating to political change, building on existing tools (including the Policy Outlook).
• Work with our macroeconomics and tax teams to analyse the impact of government announcements for clients, including the Budget and wider fiscal events.
• Attend meetings across the firm to provide advice on political engagement and the impact of policy proposals on specific types of clients.
• Advice to senior leadership: Provide updates to senior leadership on political developments and their impact on KPMG as a firm - including through face-to-face updates at relevant Steer Co's and regular calls.
• Assess the impact of proposed policy changes on KPMG's operations and recommend potential contingency measures to senior leadership.
• Brief senior leadership in person ahead of major KPMG events and keynote speeches on policy issues, including in relation to growth.
• Provide political consultancy support for local Office Senior Partners to enhance their regional client engagements.
• Establish political assumptions to support internal scenario planning - for example on the future relationship with the EU, and the rise of populist parties - and participate in relevant internal workshops.
• Assess thought leadership from senior colleagues across the firm for wider political risks.
• Growth strategy: Oversee External Affairs' strategy for 'growth', with a focus on priority policy issues affecting our clients.
• Promote KPMG's latest thinking on growth policy with key decision makers across Westminster and Whitehall to increase the firm's policy influence.
• Engage with MPs on KPMG's policy priorities on growth to amplify our voice, including via one-to-one meetings, and facilitate introductions with senior leadership.

Qualifications

• A strategic thinker with a proven track record of navigating complex policy landscapes and engaging effectively with senior stakeholders.
• A deep understanding of business, politics, policy-making and current affairs
• Sound judgement and a good grasp of risks
• The ability to lead and develop other members of the team
• A relevant senior personal network and the ability to represent the firm in external meetings and events
• A curious outlook, a sharp intellect, first class communications skills and a strategic mindset
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills; ability to display tact and diplomacy and work across different teams
• An entrepreneurial spirit, with the flexibility to pick up new projects as they arise
• Willingness to conduct occasional travel across the UK

About the team

Every day our firm performs better because of how we work together, as one team, each the best at what we do. We are KPMG Business Services (KBS). We're a cross-functional team, bringing together experts across a wide range of critical activities which help to grow, run and protect our business. From HR and Learning, Finance, Procurement, Facilities and Operations, through to Risk and Legal, Corporate Affairs, and Market Development, our approach is focused on driving the improved performance of the firm. We work shoulder to shoulder with our client-facing teams and we focus on delivering our services in ways which help to drive efficiency, improve quality and enhance our firm's brand and reputation. We are the people responsible for telling our story - internally, to the public, to influential opinion-formers. We protect and enhance the KPMG brand. We use the power of our collective expertise, insights and relationships to equip KPMG to make the difference today and in the future. Join us, and you'll look after the voice, footprint and reputation of the firm, making sure we have a clear position that brings our purpose and values to life. We are made up of Marketing, Strategic Campaigns & Content, Communications, Stakeholder Engagement and Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability teams - together we help our people, clients and communities succeed.