Public Affairs Manager - Asset Management

Public Affairs Manager - Asset Management

At M&G, our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. As an international savings and investments business with roots stretching back more than 170 years, we offer a range of financial products and services through Asset Management, Life and Wealth. All three operating segments work together to deliver attractive financial outcomes for our clients and superior shareholder returns.

Through our behaviours of telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer workplace accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.

Role Context

M&G operates in a complex, highly regulated environment, within a sector that is often in the public eye. Maintaining good relations with policymakers in Whitehall, Westminster, European Union (EU) and in key M&G markets is critical to delivering against the business' new purpose and strategic priorities.

The Policy and Public Affairs team (PPA) is a key part of External Relations, within the broader M&G Corporate Affairs function. Working closely with the Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager, the role holder will help to develop and implement a strategic policy and public affairs plan for the Asset Management business that builds M&G's reputation, influencing and positioning in our sector and beyond. This will include the creation and delivery of proactive campaigns that will positively change external perceptions of M&G and affect change with key stakeholders. The role holder will work closely with colleagues in the PPA team and wider External Affairs team to ensure that activity is aligned, targeted and impactful. They will provide counsel and direction to internal stakeholders on proactive political engagement and potential issues which could affect M&G's reputation and operating environment.

They will be the first identifiers of operational and reputational risks to the business from political and legislative developments, devising lobbying and engagement strategies to help mitigate impacts.

Key Accountabilities for the Role:

• Working with the Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will develop and implement a strategic policy and public affairs plan for the Asset Management business that supports the delivery of our strategic objectives and builds M&G's reputation and positioning.
• Work with the wider PPA Team to build and manage strong relationships with relevant Ministers, parliamentarians, civil servants, policymakers, partner organisations and other external agencies to influence the Government's agenda and ensure the best possible operating environment for M&G throughout the UK, EU and beyond.
• Support M&G's response to relevant Government consultations by coordinating submissions, working closely with regulatory and policy experts across the business.
• Playing a leading role in developing agile submissions and responses to key moments in the political calendar including the Budget, King's Speech, Spring Statement, key legislation and Select Committees.
• Support the development of Asset Management policy collateral; such as policy briefs, evidence statements, consultation responses, speeches, blogs, white papers, academic articles and social media postings, to maintain a drumbeat of thoughtful insights to ensure we are well positioned in the minds of our key stakeholders.
• Work closely with teams across M&G including colleagues in the wider Corporate Affairs function to ensure that our positions are effectively communicated using all communication channels as appropriate.
• Provide political insight, monitoring and analysis, drawing on information from many sources and advise on appropriate responses.
• Ensure M&G representation at key external events including policy roundtables, party conferences, trade association steering boards and external commissions.
• Coordinate and assist with the engagement and representation of M&G's interests on relevant trade associations and other key bodies.
• Help ensure that external agencies and suppliers are deployed impactfully.

Key Knowledge, Skills, Requirements and Experience:

• A strategic thinker who has worked in Westminster or Brussels, in a public affairs/policy role previously and/or in a highly regulated sector.
• A good understanding of the Westminster 'village' and Brussels with a good network of established contacts with politicians, key civil servants and their teams.
• A track record of building strong internal and external relationships, plus a solid understanding of how to strengthen them.