Head of Public Affairs

**Company**

Fedcap Employment (part of The Fedcap Group) is a not-for-profit organisation delivering employability solutions across a range of UK contracts through a blend of local frontline professional teams. Our services are more vital than ever before to individuals and their wider communities as we tackle unemployment challenges head on and seek to diversify into health and related markets.

We are currently recruiting for a **Head of Public Affairs **. This is a new role to the business, helping us to grow our organisation through raising our profile with key audiences and advocating our views as we seek to make a real difference to the lives of our customers and communities across the UK.

**The Role**

We are looking for an experienced Head of Public Affairs to join our Fedcap team. As Head of Public Affairs, you will represent Fedcap with external audiences which shape our legislative environment, making sure our organisation’s aims and positions are heard and understood.

You will use your deep understanding of social, political and economic trends and market conditions to provide strategic advice to our executive leadership team, helping it to proactively shape our operating environment and strategy.

You will need to have a strategic mindset to work alongside colleagues in our Research and Development function to own and drive the creation and communication of our thought leadership and advise on future opportunities.

You will also be experienced and skilled at developing effective and collaborative partnerships.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Reporting to the Head of Marketing and Communications, lead the design and delivery of public affairs strategies and tactical plans, encompassing Fedcap’s policy priorities and ensuring they align with the business’s overall strategy and development into new markets
- Lead the design and delivery of stakeholder engagement with key political and policy influencers, building relationships with opinion formers and decision makers, including special advisers, in Government and both UK Parliaments
- Lead the development and communication of the company’s thought leadership work
- Create and oversee opportunities for the company to engage at external events, including Select Committees and conferences
- Build collaborative relationships and represent the company with senior industry and political stakeholders
- Provide advice to senior colleagues and reputational or commercial risk management related to any governmental or political developments
- Advise the business on legislative and regulatory developments in the UK, and develop and communicate policy positions to support the development of our business and the interests of our customers and partners
- Day-to-day management of public affairs agencies/consultants
- Work on reputational management, media issues

**Person Specification**
- Proven experience in a senior public affairs role
- Experience in public/social policy, politics or similar with excellent working knowledge of government and Parliament across the UK
- Demonstrable record of stakeholder engagement and working within a political environment
- Track record of creating and executing communications, public affairs and lobbying strategies and plans
- Experience of managing external agencies and consultants
- Demonstrable track record of creating and delivering thought leadership
- Experience of managing reputational/media issues
- Knowledge of and/or demonstrable interest in the work of employability and societal inclusion
- A flair for communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively, verbally and in writing
- Ability to work diplomatically and professionally at a senior level when managing our relationships with elected representatives and other organisations
- Highly organised and able to meet demanding deadlines
- Ability to role model our values and of **Kindness, Respect, Integrity **and **Innovation**

**Benefits**
- You won’t work on weekends or bank holidays
- A monthly benefits scheme worth £500 with access to over 900 retailers
- A cycle to work scheme that is open all year long
- Laptop and mobile phone for every employee
- Employee assistance programme (EAP). A telephone service offering various support services including emotional support, stress helpline amongst others.
- The opportunity of an Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP) qualification for all employees
- A two-week Induction and training programme
- Company annual leave, including a buy/sell scheme
- Free life cover
- Pension with a 4% match from Fedcap

**Additional information**

**Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion**

**Disability confident employer**

**Veterans and service personnel**

Fedcap is positive about employing veterans and service personnel spouses or family members as part of our commitment to upholding principles of the Armed Forces Covenant.