Senior External Affairs Manager – Scotland

Vma Group; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Exchange for Change is seeking a Senior External Affairs Manager for Scotland to shape and deliver high-impact public affairs and engagement programmes around the UK Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). This hybrid role (Glasgow/remote) focuses on driving awareness and engagement with diverse stakeholders to support a major environmental infrastructure programme.

The successful candidate will bring extensive experience in public affairs, policy development, and strategic communications, with strong

Qualifications

• Proven experience in public affairs, policy, communications or stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of the Scottish political system and policy landscape.
• Strong relationships with government, industry, and external stakeholders to DRS.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to influence and represent an organisation effectively.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with peers to raise the reputation and profile of Exchange for Change and the DRS in Scotland.
• Develop engagement strategies and build advocacy networks.
• Provide strategic advice on policy, briefing, and consultation responses.
• Identify emerging issues and manage reputational risk.

Skills

Public affairs

Stakeholder engagement

Policy writing

Communication

Job description

Senior External Affairs Manager – Scotland, at Exchange for Change

VMA Group is excited to partner with Exchange for Change to find a highly skilled Senior External Affairs Manager – Scotland 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 be 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.

Hybrid: 60/40 split – Glasgow/remote | Full-time, Permanent

The role:

Reporting to the Head of External Affairs you will collaborate closely with peers with similar remits in England, Wales 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 Scotland.

• Proven experience in public affairs, policy, communications or stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of the Scottish 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.
• Experience in environmental policy, circular economy or large-scale programme delivery would be beneficial, but not essential.

Why join?

If you're an experienced external affairs professional looking for a role with real purpose and impact, we'd love to hear from you.