Senior Advocacy and Public Affairs Manager

ASVA: Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in Scotland’s cultural sector is seeking a Senior Advocacy and Public Affairs Manager. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead advocacy efforts that highlight the importance of museums and galleries. You will develop strategic plans, engage with key stakeholders, and communicate complex issues effectively. With a focus on collaboration and integrity, this position allows you to make a significant impact on the cultural landscape of Scotland. Join a passionate team committed to creating positive change and promoting the value of the arts in society.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Living Wage accreditation

Investors in People Gold accreditation

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Advocacy and Public Affairs roles.
• Strong communication and influencing skills required.
• Ability to navigate complex cultural issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead advocacy campaigns to influence key stakeholders.
• Develop relationships with government officials and organizations.
• Communicate MGS's views to legislators and the public.

Skills

Advocacy and Public Affairs

Communication Skills

Political Knowledge

Campaign Management

Research and Analysis

Education

Degree in Public Relations or related field

Tools

Digital Platforms

Job description

Senior Advocacy and Public Affairs Manager

Organisation: Museums Galleries Scotland

Salary: Starting salary £45,813 per annum

Location: Edinburgh / Hybrid

About the Role

Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the National Development Body for Scotland’s museums and galleries. We support a sector of 449 museums and galleries, through strategic investment, workforce development, advice and advocacy. We are a forward facing and inclusive organisation, committed to the ongoing development of a positive culture for our team.

We are seeking an experienced professional to lead our work to clearly communicate the positive value and impact of the museums and galleries sector. You will do this by developing and leading advocacy campaigns and activity that make a strong case for Scotland’s museums and galleries sector to influence a range of external audiences and stakeholders including Government Officials, Government Ministers, MSPs, relevant Committees, relevant funders and other key organisations and influencers.

Politically astute, the Senior Advocacy and Public Affairs Manager possesses strong communication and influencing skills, using research and information to build a political and public case for our sector and inform evidence-based advocacy messaging and activity.

Being able to navigate and effectively communicate complex issues that implicate the wider culture and heritage sector in Scotland will be essential. MGS has worked to raise awareness of the budget challenges faced by our sector while also striving to adapt to ensure relevance to communities and users. An exciting new capacity programme with the Scottish Government is in development designed to transition the sector to a sustainable footing and you would play an instrumental role in shaping how we communicate the benefits of this programme to key stakeholders.

This role offers an enriching opportunity to be creative and proactive in developing our organisational voice to highlight the immense value of Scotland’s museums and galleries

The successful candidate will manifest MGS’s core values: collaboration, integrity, passion for museums, and courageousness.

Overview of Responsibilities

Strategic

• Work with the Head of Strategy and Communications and Senior Management Team to develop advocacy and public affairs strategic plans and messaging that meets MGS’s strategic priorities
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to ensure strong MGS and sector profile and reputation
• Contribute to the delivery of the National Strategy for Scotland’s Museums and Galleries and ensure strong awareness of the strategy among key political stakeholders and policy makers
• Contribute to the development and delivery of MGS’s Business and Operational Plans, reporting on progress as required
• Lead on the coordination of the MGS led Scottish Museums Advocacy Group quarterly meetings
• Work closely with a policy network of MGS culture and heritage sector partners to help inform and develop aligned advocacy across organisations

Communications

• Lead on the delivery of Advocacy and Public affairs plans and activity with Marketing and Communications team, wider MGS and sector colleagues
• Communicate the views of MGS to legislators in the Scottish and UK Parliaments, local government and other external organisations, either directly or through joint working with strategic partners to influence decision making
• Lead on MGS’s responses to relevant public consultations co-ordinating with relevant sector partners and MGS colleagues
• Communicate MGS’s advocacy work to the sector through relevant channels including writing content for news items, newsletters and blogs
• Prepare briefings for Ministers, MSPs and Civil Servants in response to sector related matters
• Lead on briefings and speech notes for the Chair, Chief Executive Officer and senior managers for major events and key engagements that reflect sector advocacy messaging and maintains profile and engagement with the sector

Research and analysis

• Oversee and maintain timely monitoring of Parliament, Government, stakeholders, press and media on relevant policy developments in the museums and galleries and wider culture sector and brief MGS colleagues on relevant activity or issues
• Maintaining an understanding of current political priorities within MGS, making opportune connections to the work of the sector and MGS colleagues. Provide advice and guidance, both internally and externally, on relevant policy matters
• Work with Senior Management Team to maintain awareness of museums who are experiencing challenges; coordinating MGS’s response and supporting other organisations with response development when necessary
• Help inform relevant MGS research activity and leading on development of advocacy related messaging informed by data findings.

Relationships

• Build and nurture effective working relationships across the organisation and be part of an effective Senior Management Team
• Advocate on behalf of the sector and MGS and including representation to key external stakeholders and the Scottish museum sector as a whole
• Collaborate with other staff to identify and deliver opportunities to profile the work of the sector and MGS
• Work fairly and with integrity and adapt style to different people, cultures and situations

People Management

• Line manage the Research Manager, working together to develop advocacy opportunities and messaging from findings from MGS or externally led pieces of research
• Work with Marketing and Communications Head and Managers to provide collaborative leadership of the Marketing and Communications team, supporting efficient allocation and prioratisation of resources.
• Provide support and recognition to staff and understand the needs and concerns of the team
• Take responsibility for development and motivation of staff, ensuring skills and strengths are used effectively
• Support on aspects of staff performance development and management process
• Undertake line management responsibilities as required

Skills and Experience

• Significant experience gained working in an in house or agency Advocacy and Public Affairs Role or similar for example Public Relations or Government Affairs
• Politically astute with strong knowledge of the Scottish political system and priorities
• Experience of leading advocacy or awareness raising campaigns or activity designed to meet a need
• A strong understanding of policy development and influencing policy decisions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• The ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex issues to a range of audiences
• Confidence using a range of digital platforms

Preferred

• Experience working with or in Scottish Government
• Experience of working with the Scottish or UK press
• Experience or knowledge of the museums and galleries, heritage or cultural sector
• Commissioning or using research findings in advocacy work
• Campaign measurement, evaluation and reporting
• Understanding and managing risk

Wework with staff to help everyone reach their potential in the workplace and welcome conversations with individuals about their needs, circumstances and aspirations.

HOW YOU WORK

MGS has a behavioural competency framework which describes how we expect people to go about their work day-to-day. Staff must demonstrate the following skills areas at an appropriate level:

• Communicating with impact
• Respect, inclusion and integrity
• Sector focus
• Drive for results
• Innovation, agility and building capability

This role requires someone who displays energy and enthusiasm in their interactions with others; communicates effectively with and is approachable to a range of different audiences and can positively shape how people view the museums and galleries sector. As a member of the Senior Management Team you are expected to act as a role model for MGS’s organisational behaviours and to champion the organisation internally and externally.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS –Travel – occasional regional travel may be required.

Please download the job information pack for the full details of this role (available via link to website below).

How to Apply

• Please complete an application form, by downloading it from our website.
• Then submit your form via our online systemBreathe HR .

The deadline to apply isMonday 19th May 2025 at 9am.

Please use our application form, CVs will not be accepted. If our application form makes it difficult for you to apply and demonstrate your skills effectively, we would be happy to accept a video, audio or alternative application format. Please refer to the guidance on alternative application format to ensure your application will cover all the required information. If you would like to discuss an application in an alternative format, please contact us on the email below or call 0131 550 4197.

Please note that interviews for this post are planned to take place online, in the week commencing Monday 26th May.

Museums Galleries Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of the community and is an equal opportunities employer. We hold Living Wage and Investors in People Gold accreditation and are happy to talk flexible working. We will guarantee an interview to people with disabilities who meet the essential criteria in our person specification.

Please note that details supplied may be held in electronic and paper files for administration purposes only during the recruitment process. We retain recruitment files for six months following the date of interview, after which they are disposed of appropriately.Our privacy policy.