Head of Corporate Affairs

Food and Drink Federation; Greater London; Híbrido; GBP 59.000 - 72.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

25 days holiday

Private healthcare

Leisure travel insurance

Health & wellbeing allowance

Interest-free season ticket loan

Cycle-to-work scheme

Descripción de la vacante

The Food and Drink Federation in London is seeking a Head of Corporate Affairs to lead engagement with government, Parliament and political stakeholders. You will shape our public affairs strategy and strengthen the industry voice across Whitehall and Westminster.

The role requires senior leadership, extensive networks, and the ability to translate policy into clear communications while guiding a Corporate Affairs team in a fast-changing political environment.

Formación

• Significant experience leading public affairs or government relations at senior level.
• Strong understanding of Westminster, Whitehall and UK political processes.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, persuasive communications.
• Experience advising senior leaders on political strategy, messaging and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience leading, supporting and developing teams.
• Awareness of policy issues affecting the food and drink manufacturing sector.

Responsabilidades

• Lead engagement with government, Parliament and other political stakeholders across agreed policy and campaign areas to build influential relationships.
• Develop and deliver an annual public affairs strategy and stakeholder engagement plan.
• Design and lead high-profile public affairs campaigns with coordinated messaging for government and parliamentarians.
• Lead on the production of political briefings, correspondence and stakeholder communications.
• Build strong relationships with member companies and engage prospective members.
• Advise the Chief Executive and senior leadership on political strategy and cross-party relationships.
• Lead, coach and develop the Corporate Affairs team and work with Communications on integrated activity.

Conocimientos

Public affairs

Government relations

Strategic communications

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Policy analysis

Political insight

Descripción del empleo

Salary £65,000 per year, with excellent benefits including 25 days holiday, private healthcare, leisure travel insurance, health & wellbeing allowance, interest-free season ticket loan and cycle-to-work scheme

Hours 35 hours per week; hybrid working (2-3 days in the office per week)

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is looking for an experienced, connected and influential Head of Corporate Affairs to lead our engagement with government, Parliament and political stakeholders.

This is a high-profile leadership role with the opportunity to shape and deliver our public affairs strategy, maintain and strengthen our political relationships and ensure that the voice of food and drink manufacturing is heard across Whitehall, Westminster and beyond.

The FDF is a membership organisation championing UK food and drink manufacturing. We work with businesses, government and members to influence policy and legislation, campaign on critical issues and help create an environment in which the industry can thrive.

Key responsibilities

• Reporting to the Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications. Lead engagement with government, Parliament and other political stakeholders across agreed policy and campaign areas in order to build and maintain influential relationships with politicians, special advisers, civil servants and public affairs leaders.
• Use insight, experience and analysis skills to develop and deliver an annual public affairs strategy and stakeholder engagement plan.
• Design and lead high-profile public affairs campaigns that communicate the FDF’s messages clearly and persuasively, coordinating consistent messaging across policy areas for government, officials and parliamentarians, including supporting our associated APPG.
• Lead on the production of political briefings, correspondence and stakeholder communications.
• Build strong relationships with member companies and contribute to the engagement of prospective members.
• Act as an advisor to the Chief Executive and senior leadership team in developing cross-party political relationships that strengthen the FDF’s influence and profile.
• Lead, coach and develop the Corporate Affairs team, providing clear priorities, constructive feedback and support. Working closely with the Head of Communications to develop integrated activity.

Requirements

The successful candidate will be expected to build effective external and internal networks, consider political sensitivities when framing discussions and requests, and bring people together around shared objectives. The role also requires clear communication, sound judgement, calm, collaborative leadership and the ability to deliver effectively in a changing political environment.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Significant experience of leading public affairs or government relations at a senior level, with a strong understanding of Westminster, Whitehall and the wider UK political processes.
• Experience of designing and delivering public affairs, advocacy or political campaigns that have successfully influenced government policy, built on insight and an understanding of what works.
• The ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, persuasive and accurate communications.
• Experience of advising senior leaders on political strategy, messaging and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience of leading, supporting and developing teams.
• Awareness of the policy issues affecting the food and drink manufacturing sector.

Our Workplace

We’re based in the heart of central London in a modern, bright open-plan office. We have a friendly work culture with great break-out spaces, quiet booths and opportunities for flexible-working. Our ‘Feel Good for Life’ team regularly organises events and activities to promote positive health and wellbeing.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments for disabilities or medical conditions.

Recruitment privacy notice

This is the privacy policy relating to the protection of FDF job applicants' information. The FDF will ensure that data is always processed in accordance with the provisions of relevant data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The FDF employs over 70 people in London, Edinburgh and Wales. We are organised in teams, providing expert advice and managing a wide variety of issues on behalf of the industry.