Public Affairs Associate Director

JR United Kingdom; Slough; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company within public affairs seeks an Associate Director to join the UK team. The role involves strategic leadership in developing public affairs strategies, managing client relationships, and fostering a supportive team culture. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in public affairs with significant experience in managing campaigns and a deep understanding of the UK policy landscape. This position offers a competitive salary and a range of benefits including hybrid working arrangements and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus additional days for service

Company bonus scheme

Private medical insurance

1 month paid sabbatical after 5 years

Regular socials and outings

Fortnightly Deliveroo allowance

Free eye tests

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in public affairs.
• Extensive agency experience required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Deep understanding of UK political dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Devise effective public affairs strategies for clients.
• Lead and mentor a team, ensuring high-quality service.
• Serve as the senior point of contact for clients.
• Contribute to business growth through networking.

Skills

Client relationship management

Strategic leadership

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

Experience in public affairs

Parliamentary/political/government experience

Job description

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We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Associate Director to join our UK Public Affairs team. As an Associate Director, you will play a pivotal role in helping us grow and drive the success of our clients' public affairs strategies by ensuring the delivery of high-quality services.

This is an internal leadership, external facing and client servicing role that would suit an individual who thrives on direct communication, developing engaging campaign strategies, and enjoys building relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

We care about our team and are looking for an individual who will embrace our management style based on a supportive culture and who will get on board with our mission to remain an effective influence for better in the world of public affairs.

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in public affairs roles.
• Extensive experience in public affairs agencies is essential.
• Parliamentary/political/government experience is essential.
• Proven track record of successfully managing client relationships, developing public affairs strategies and delivering impactful campaigns.
• Proven track record of generating new business and/or expanding existing contracts.
• Proven track record of managing and leading a team, with the ability to inspire, motivate and mentor colleagues.
• Deep understanding of the UK policy landscape, political dynamics and legislative process.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities and pro-active attitude.
• Excellent spoken and written English (native-speaker level or equivalent). Any additional languages will be considered an asset.
• Experience in tech, digital or financial policy will be considered an asset.

Core competencies:

• Strategic leadership: Devise and execute effective public affairs strategies and advocacy campaigns that achieve tangible results for our clients
• Strategic counsel: provide strategic counsel on policy trends, political opportunities, impactful messaging and effective stakeholder engagement.
• Client servicing: Serve as the senior point of contact for clients, helping account managers and/or account directors maintain and deepen relationships, anticipate client needs and proactively offer solutions and opportunities. Ensure client satisfaction through the team’s consistent, high-quality service delivery. Conduct regular reviews of project performance, identifying areas for improvement and cost optimisation. Ensure effective account delivery. Overall responsibility for client retention and profitably within your team structure.
• Business growth: Take a proactive approach in contributing to the growth of the business through active networking. Leading on new business proposals and pitches. Stay ahead of industry trends to position the agency as leaders in the space. Cultivate strong connections and build trust with policymakers, parliamentarians, government officials, industry representatives and journalists.
• Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of talented professionals, providing guidance, support, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment that encourages excellence and accountability. Line management of members of the consulting team and developing junior members of staff.
• Brand ambassadorship: Contribute to the agency’s thought leadership by producing internal and external articles, contributing quotes to the media and participating in industry forums and events. Represent our company with pride, both internally and externally.
• Senior leader: Through membership of the Senior Leadership Team, supporting the Managing Director and Directors in the development and delivery of the company’s business plan. Ensuring that all aspects of the business are properly managed, including the staff, client relationships, budgets, assets and resources, to make best use of them and increase the company’s profitability.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: £61,000-£75,000 per annum based on experience
• 25 days holiday + 1 additional day per each year of service until reaching 30-day limit;
• Birthday off;
• Company bonus scheme;
• Private medical insurance;
• Hybrid working arrangement (1 mandatory day per week in the office, the other 4 voluntary) with great offices in the heart of Central London;
• Flexible working available;
• 1 month paid sabbatical after 5 years of service;
• Investment in personal growth: hands-on internal training from public relations and public affairs colleagues and opportunities for external training;
• Regular socials and outings;
• Fortnightly Deliveroo allowance
• Free eye tests.

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about UK public affairs and meet all of the requirements described above, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV to us at [emailprotected] for the attention of Max Wilson by 5th June.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so we encourage applicants to submit your CV as soon as possible. Due to the high number of applications received, only selected candidates will be contacted.

The first round of interviews will be conducted online with a second round taking place in person in our London offices.

About us:

Whitehouse Communications is an independent issues-led political communications agency based in London and with presence in Brussels, specialising in public affairs, political communications, policy analysis, advocacy campaigns and media relations. We advise clients on how to effectively and positively engage with key decisionmakers in Brussels, Westminster, Whitehall, and local government.

Equal opportunities statement

We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and to make full use of the talents and resources of all employees and to provide a healthy environment that will encourage good and productive working operations within the organisation. You and any job applicant will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.