Senior External Affairs Manager

VMA Group; Cardiff; Sur place; GBP 60 000 - 90 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Exchange for Change seeks a Senior External Affairs Manager – Wales to shape and deliver high-impact public affairs, industry engagement programmes and campaigns for the UK deposit return scheme (DRS) in Wales. The candidate will work with internal teams and peers across the UK to raise the organisation’s profile and influence policy discussions relevant to the DRS deployment.

The role requires proven experience in public affairs, strong Welsh political knowledge, and robust stakeholder

Qualifications

• Proven experience in public affairs, policy, communications or stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of the Welsh political system and policy landscape.
• Strong relationships with government, industry, and external stakeholders in relevant sectors to DRS.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and represent an organisation effectively.
• Experience developing engagement strategies and building advocacy networks.
• Strong policy, briefing, and consultation response-writing skills.
• Ability to identify emerging issues, manage reputational risk, and provide strategic advice.
• A collaborative, proactive approach and passion for making a positive environmental impact.
• Welsh language skills would be highly advantageous.

Responsabilités

• Shape and deliver high-impact public affairs programmes and campaigns to raise awareness of the DRS in Wales.
• Collaborate with peers across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and wider teams to raise Exchange for Change’s profile.
• Engage with government, industry and external stakeholders to support policy development and implementation for the DRS.
• Provide strategic advice on communications and engagement risks and opportunities.

Connaissances

Public affairs

Policy

Communications

Stakeholder engagement

Engagement strategies

Policy briefing

Welsh language (advantage)

Description du poste

Senior External Affairs Manager – Wales, at Exchange for Change

VMA Group is excited to partner with Exchange for Change to find a highly skilled Senior External Affairs Manager – Wales to shape and deliver high-impact public affairs, industry engagement programmes and campaigns to raise awareness of, and engagement with, the new UK deposit return scheme (DRS) for single-use drinks containers.

Exchange For Change is the industry-led organisation appointed by the UK governments to design, build and operate the DRS. Launching on 1 October 2027, the UK’s DRS will the largest DRS in the world and one of the UK’s most ambitious environmental infrastructure programmes.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape communications and engagement for a nationally significant environmental initiative that will transform recycling across the whole of the UK.

The role:

Reporting to the Head of External Affairs you will collaborate closely with peers with similar remits in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as wider teams across the organisation, to raise the reputation and profile of Exchange for Change and the implementation of the DRS across Wales.

What we're looking for:

• Proven experience in public affairs, policy, communications or stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of the Welsh political system and policy landscape.
• Strong relationships with government, industry, and external stakeholders in relevant sectors to DRS.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and represent an organisation effectively.
• Experience developing engagementstrategies and building advocacy networks.
• Strong policy, briefing, and consultation response-writing skills.
• Ability to identify emerging issues, manage reputational risk, and provide strategic advice.
• A collaborative, proactive approach and passion for making a positive environmental impact.
• Experience in environmental policy, circular economy or large-scale programme delivery would be beneficial, but not essential.
• Welsh language skills would be highly advantageous.