Senior Advisor - External Affairs

Vodafone Group; London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Vodafone as a key advisor on political strategy, part of a team influencing the company’s global strategy. This senior role necessitates significant political experience and the ability to engage with top officials to advocate for Vodafone's interests while navigating complex geopolitical landscapes.

Benefits

Yearly bonus: 20%

Company car: £580/month + private fuel

Annual leave: 28 days + bank holidays

Charity days: 5 days/year

Maternity leave: 52 weeks with full pay for first 13 weeks

Private pension matching up to 10%

Access to private medical and dental services

Discounts on Vodafone services and retail

Qualifications

• At least ten years of political and/or public policy experience, preferably in national government.
• Ability to manage competing demands.
• Advanced understanding of political, diplomatic, and economic affairs.

Responsibilities

• Advise the CECO on a range of EU and global geopolitical matters.
• Build relationships with government officials and policymakers.
• Prepare senior leaders for external engagements.

Skills

Political Strategy

Public Affairs

Government Relations

Writing Skills

Influencing Skills

Judgment

Education

Degree

Job description

Join Us

At Vodafone, we’re not just shaping the future of connectivity for our customers – we’re shaping the future for everyone who joins our team. When you work with us, you’re part of a global mission to connect people, solve complex challenges, and create a sustainable and more inclusive world. If you want to grow your career whilst finding the perfect balance between work and life, Vodafone offers the opportunities to help you belong and make a real impact.

What you’ll do

This role is pivotal to shaping Vodafone’s political influence and navigating the geopolitics that define its global strategy. Working closely with the Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer (CECO), you will be part of a small team that provides counsel to Vodafone’s most senior leaders while collaborating across External Affairs (EA) and with operating companies worldwide.

This senior role requires at least ten years of political and/or public policy experience, preferably gained inside national government. It requires you to manage competing demands, provide strategic advice, and influence at all levels, including directors and executives. You will pursue the company’s most important EA priorities.

• Advise the CECO on a range of matters, including EU affairs, global geopolitics and political handling.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Building relationships with government officials, policymakers, and industry groups to advocate for Vodafone’s interests
• Prepare letters, board papers, speeches and other materials as necessary that shape internal and external narratives.
• Shephard/oversee the preparations for external engagements for Vodafone’s most senior leaders – including logistics, briefing materials and engagement with local market teams as necessary.
• Prepare senior leaders for meetings with heads of government, ministers and other policymakers.
• Collaborate cross functionally with colleagues, particularly in Public Affairs/Policy/Corporate Security & Communications as necessary in support of Group EA priorities.

Who you are

• Significant experience in political strategy, public affairs or government relations.
• Exceptional writing and influencing skills, good political knowledge and
• Advanced understanding of political, diplomatic and economic affairs, with an ability to anticipate risks and capitalise on opportunities for the business.
• Focus, pragmatism and sound judgment in high-pressure, fast-paced situations.
• Self-starter able to navigate ambiguity and create impact across a large organisation.
• Degree

Not a perfect fit?

Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about empowering people and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to still apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another opportunity.

What's in it for you

• Yearly bonus: 20%
• Company car: company funded car of £580 per month + private fuel or cash alternative of £630
  per month.
• Annual leave: 28 days + bank holidays + the opportunity to buy/sell/carry over 5 days/year
• Charity days: 5 days/year
• Maternity leave: 52 weeks: the first 13 weeks are fully paid, followed by 26 weeks of half pay
• Private pension: You can contribute up to 5% of your basic pay with 2:1 matching from Vodafone up to 10%.
• Access to: private medical, private dental, free health assessments, share save scheme
• Additional discounts: Vodafone retail, gym, cinema, cycle to work, season ticket loan

Who we are

We are a leading international Telco, serving millions of customers. At Vodafone, we believe that connectivity is a force for good. If we use it for the things that really matter, it can improve people's lives and the world around us. Through our technology we empower people, connecting everyone regardless of who they are or where they live and we protect the planet, whilst helping our customers do the same.

Belonging at Vodafone isn't a concept; it's lived, breathed, and cultivated through everything we do. You'll be part of a global and diverse community, with many different minds, abilities, backgrounds and cultures. ;We're committed to increase diversity, ensure equal representation, and make Vodafone a place everyone feels safe, valued and included.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, please refer to https://careers.vodafone.com/application-adjustments/ for guidance.

Together we can.