Public Affairs Manager

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

We aim to engage and communicate with our diverse nation about the smart meter rollout across England, Scotland, and Wales. We are an independent organisation set up by the government to deliver the national public engagement campaign, raise awareness of smart meters and drive adoption of this technology in everyone's homes. Smart meters are essential building blocks in the creation of a cleaner, greener energy system for the future.
We are looking for a Public Affairs Manager, with knowledge of the workings and dynamics of Scottish politics at all levels, to join our team in either our London or Edinburgh office! The Public Affairs Manager plays an important role in developing and managing ourengagement activity to ensure awareness, understanding and advocacy of the smart meter rollout among political and professional stakeholders.

Key tasks / responsibilities

Manage our public affairs activities in Scotland, including our outreach and advocacy to opinion-forming audiences, events and our presence at external events held by third parties
Support public affairs activities in Wales, including outreach and advocacy to politicians, events in the Senedd and our presence at external events
Develop and deliver a programme of activity to advocate to stakeholders in the Scottish Parliament, Senedd, local authorities and the third sector across GB about the smart meter rollout and our policy positions
Identify opportunities and produce written and other materials for external and internal publication, including stakeholder magazines (e.g. Holyrood Magazine), newsletters and website texts for third party organisations
Support the delivery of post-general election strategy to MPs and develop relationships with newly elected and returning Scottish and Welsh MPs
Develop and deliver resources for use by elected representatives and other opinion-formers across Great Britain
Develop and deliver presentations and workshops on behalf of our organisation as required
Keep abreast of relevant political and policy developments, alert colleagues and provide summaries and proactive responses as required
Attend our events and represent the organisation at third-party events for political and stakeholder audiences
Draft content for senior management briefings and official correspondence
Ensure teams across the organisation are aware of public affairs activity in Scotland and Wales, and seek input from other departments as required to inform future plans
While this post can be based in either Edinburgh or London, it will involve travel across Great Britain and occasional evening and weekend working

Skills, experience and competencies

Essential

Knowledge of the workings and dynamics of Scottish politics at all levels
Knowledge of third sector and business stakeholder organisations in Scotland and experience in influencing them
Ability to take on responsibility and use initiative to prioritise work and to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines
Excellent communication skills (verbal/writing) with first-rate attention to detail
Creative thinking when it comes to developing outreach activity

Desirable

Knowledge of the workings and dynamics of Welsh politics and local government
Knowledge of third sector and business stakeholder organisations in Wales and experience in influencing them
Excellent presentation and public speaking skills
Appreciation of our objectives and activities
Appreciate the diversity of the people and communities of Great Britain and embrace this diversity in your approach to work