Head of External Affairs

Murray McIntosh; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive compensation

Excellent benefits

Job summary

Future Biogas, a leading UK developer and operator of renewable gas, is seeking a Head of External Affairs to sit with the CEO and senior leadership in Guildford. The role will shape government engagement, policy influence and relationships with regulators, industry bodies and key partners.

You'll manage the external affairs function with autonomy, lead parliamentary activity, stakeholder engagement and budget, and help drive the energy transition at scale.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in Public Affairs, Politics, Communications, Business or related discipline.
• Proven experience in public affairs, government relations or policy development within a related industry.
• Excellent influencing, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking.
• Experience of leading and developing small, high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead external affairs and government stakeholder engagement activities.
• Develop relationships to influence policy developments across government and NGOs.
• Provide strategic advice on political and external affairs in conjunction with Policy and Comms teams.
• Support business development and growth through stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Public Affairs

Government relations

Policy development

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Team leadership

Education

Degree or equivalent (Public Affairs/Politics/Communications/Business)

Job description

Murray McIntosh is proud to partner with Future Biogas, one of the UK's leading developers, owners and operators of anaerobic digestion and biomethane infrastructure. Operating 11 sites nationwide and backed by major infrastructure investors, the business is helping corporates decarbonise through renewable gas today while developing the next generation of carbon-negative energy projects.

As the business enters an exciting new phase of growth, Future Biogas is creating a Head of External Affairs role to strengthen its influence across government, regulators, industry and the wider stakeholder landscape.

This is a unique opportunity to establish and lead a new function at the centre of one of the UK's most innovative clean energy businesses.

The Opportunity

Working closely with the CEO and wider senior leadership, you will ensure Future Biogas is represented in the right conversations, building relationships that support both the business and the wider energy transition.

You'll sit at the intersection of policy, communications, business development and commercial strategy, helping to shape how Future Biogas engages with Government ministers and officials, regulators and policymakers, industry associations, corporate stakeholders and key partners across energy, agriculture and sustainability.

The role will operate with a high degree of autonomy, responsible for managing the external affairs function and associated budget.

• Lead the external affairs, development of FB's parliamentary profile and government stakeholder engagement activities.
• Create the relationships needed to help identify and influence policy developments across government, quasi-governmental organisations and NGO's that impact the business.
• Provide strategic advice on political and external affairs and reputational issues in conjunction with Policy, Comms and other FB teams as relevant.
• Support business development, planning and growth opportunities through effective stakeholder engagement.

We're interested in speaking with individuals who can demonstrate:

• Degree or equivalent experience in Public Affairs, Politics, Communications, Business or a related discipline
• Proven experience in public affairs, government relations or policy development within a related industry
• Excellent influencing, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking
• Experience of leading and developing small, high-performing teams

Most importantly, you'll be a natural relationship-builder who enjoys opening doors, creating opportunities and bringing the right people together.

You'll combine strategic thinking with strong political awareness and have the credibility to engage confidently with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.

What's on Offer?

• A newly created leadership role with significant exposure to CEO and executive team and the opportunity to build and shape a function
• Competitive salary with performance-related bonus and excellent benefits package

Location: Future Biogas' headquarters are based in Guildford, with a new office opening within the Surrey Research Park. With a hybrid working model, the business already attracts talent from London and the South East, supported by strong rail links and shuttle transport.

If you're excited by the prospect of helping shape the future of renewable energy, carbon removals and UK sustainability policy, we'd love to hear from you.