Public Affairs Manager

Spencer Recruitment; Dublin; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Spencer Recruitment is partnering with an established Dublin communications consultancy to recruit a Senior Account Manager specialising in Public Affairs. The role focuses on advising leading businesses on political, regulatory and reputational matters.

You will manage important client relationships, develop evidence‑led strategies and deliver campaigns engaging government, regulators and industry stakeholders, with senior leadership guidance.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in public affairs, government relations, policy, political communications or corporate affairs.
• Experience in a communications agency, public affairs consultancy, or similar environment.
• Deep understanding of Irish political institutions, policymaking and regulatory processes.
• Experience managing clients or senior internal stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze complex policy issues and provide clear strategic advice.
• Excellent writing, research, presentation and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder‑management and relationship‑building capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of public affairs clients as a trusted adviser.
• Develop and implement public affairs, government relations and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Produce briefing documents, policy papers and stakeholder materials.
• Collaborate with corporate communications, media relations and digital teams on campaigns.
• Guide and develop junior colleagues and contribute to proposals and new business.

Skills

Public affairs

Government relations

Policy analysis

Stakeholder management

Written communication

Presentations

Client management

Job description

Spencer Recruitment is partnering with an established Dublin communications consultancy to recruit a Senior Account Manager specialising in Public Affairs.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced public affairs professional to join a senior-led agency advising leading businesses and organisations on political, policy, regulatory and reputational matters.

The successful candidate will manage important client relationships, develop evidence-led public affairs strategies and deliver campaigns that engage political, government, regulatory and industry stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

Client and account management

• Manage a portfolio of public affairs clients, acting as a trusted day-to-day adviser.
• Build strong relationships with senior client contacts and understand their commercial, policy and reputational priorities.
• Develop account plans, manage budgets and ensure work is delivered on time and to a consistently high standard.
• Identify emerging client needs and opportunities to provide additional strategic support.
• Prepare regular client updates, reports and presentations.

Public affairs strategy

• Develop and implement public affairs, government relations and stakeholder‑engagement strategies.
• Monitor political, legislative, policy and regulatory developments relevant to clients.
• Analyse complex policy issues and translate them into clear advice and recommended actions.
• Undertake stakeholder mapping and identify appropriate engagement opportunities.
• Advise clients on engagement with government departments, political representatives, civil servants, regulators, local authorities and industry organisations.
• Support clients in building credible and constructive relationships with decision‑makers.

Research and content development

• Produce high‑quality briefing documents, policy papers, consultation responses and stakeholder materials.
• Draft political and regulatory updates, key messages and executive briefing notes.
• Conduct research to support client positions and campaign strategies.
• Prepare senior executives for meetings with political, policy and regulatory stakeholders.
• Ensure all advice and written materials are accurate, persuasive and grounded in evidence.

Integrated communications

• Work with corporate communications, media relations and digital colleagues to deliver integrated campaigns.
• Help clients communicate complex policy positions to wider business, media and public audiences.
• Contribute to reputation‑management, issues‑management and corporate communications programmes.
• Support the development of messaging for sensitive or high‑profile matters.

Team and business development

• Guide and support junior colleagues across research, monitoring and campaign delivery.
• Allocate work effectively and maintain high standards across account teams.
• Contribute to proposals, tenders, credentials documents and new‑business pitches.
• Support the continued growth and development of the agency’s public affairs offering.
• Share knowledge of political and policy developments across the wider consultancy.

Experience and capabilities

Candidates should have:

• Strong experience in public affairs, government relations, policy, political communications or corporate affairs.
• Experience gained within a communications agency, public affairs consultancy, representative body, political environment, regulated organisation or relevant in‑house team.
• A strong understanding of Irish political institutions, policymaking and regulatory processes.
• Experience managing clients or senior internal stakeholders.
• The ability to analyse complex policy issues and produce clear strategic advice.
• Excellent writing, research, presentation and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder‑management and relationship‑building capabilities.
• The judgement and discretion required to advise clients on sensitive issues.
• The ability to manage several client accounts, deadlines and competing priorities.
• A collaborative approach and experience supporting or developing junior colleagues.

Experience integrating public affairs with corporate communications, reputation management or media relations would be particularly relevant.

What’s on offer

• The opportunity to join an established, senior‑led communications consultancy.
• Exposure to high‑profile public affairs and corporate communications briefs.
• Direct involvement in political, regulatory and reputational strategy.
• The opportunity to work with experienced communications and public affairs advisers.
• Professional development and clear scope to progress within the agency.
• A competitive salary and benefits package.