Public & Public Affairs Manager

Southwark Council

This role will lead our small but impactful Policy & Public Affairs team, influencing external opinion formers and decision makers to get the best deal for our residents. The team convenes colleagues from across the council and external partners, working collaboratively to deliver strategic influencing campaigns aimed at regional and national government. The Manager will support the team to develop and deliver influencing campaigns, using a variety of public affairs and influencing approaches.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee our public affairs priorities, working with officers and the cabinet to identify the national or regional policy changes needed to get the best deal for our residents.
• Support the team in the development of sophisticated public affairs influencing and campaigns, based on deep political insights and experience in influencing approaches.
• Convene multi-disciplinary project teams from across the council to deliver a range of influencing activities – including coordinating events, engaging decision-makers, developing evidence and generating media coverage.
• Build relationships with and collaborate with external allies, convening alliances to increase the impact and profile of our influencing.
• Oversee the Council’s overall profile and engagement with decision-makers and opinion formers – including parliamentarians, government departments, regional government, think tanks and stakeholder organisations – ensuring the needs of Southwark are understood by them.
• Represent the council with decision-makers and opinion-formers where appropriate, and work with colleagues to provide expert public affairs advice on external engagement.
• Support the Policy & Public Affairs team and manage the function, coordinating relationships with the department and organization.
• Develop effective communications and outputs on various policy issues, of both a technical and a persuasive nature, for internal and external audiences.
• Keep abreast of new legislation and political developments at a national, regional and local level. Gather, analyse, interpret and disseminate relevant information.
• Work with cabinet members and officers on policy areas which need additional focus, by supporting actions that deliver the cabinet’s policy agenda.
• Utilize strong professional networks and keep up with best practice in public affairs, attending meetings of professional bodies, training events and reading relevant material.

Umbrella rate: £43.68 per hour