Senior External Affairs Manager – Wales

Vma Group; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Exchange for Change seeks a Senior External Affairs Manager to shape and deliver high-impact public affairs and engagement programmes for Wales, supporting the UK DRS rollout. Reporting to the Head of External Affairs, you will collaborate with peers across the UK to raise the profile of the Welsh DRS initiative and build broad stakeholder support.

You will influence policy positions, craft communications, and develop advocacy networks with government, industry and civil society.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in public affairs, policy, communications or stakeholder engagement (role requirement).
• Strong understanding of Welsh political system and policy landscape.
• Strong relationships with government, industry and external stakeholders relevant to DRS.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to influence and represent the organisation.
• 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.
• Welsh language skills would be highly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with peers in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to elevate Exchange for Change and DRS in Wales.
• Shape and deliver high-impact public affairs and engagement programmes.
• Develop engagement strategies and advocate across sectors to raise awareness of the DRS.

Skills

Public affairs

Policy knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Advocacy networks

Welsh language (advantage)

Job description

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.

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

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 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.
• Welsh language skills would be highly advantageous.

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.