Public Affairs Manager

**Public Affairs Manager**
**Location**:London
**Length**:8 months
**Rate**: £38-41 p/h
**Hours**: 9am - 6pm
Our Corporate Relations team purpose is to protect and promote our client's reputation and licence to operate, to support our ambition to become the most trusted and respected consumer goods company. The Corporate Relations team in Great Britain oversees ourSociety 2030 Spirit of Progress agenda, our external and internal communications as well as our Government Affairs outreach.
**About the Role**:

- The Public Affairs Manager is responsible for building and managing our relationship with political stakeholders, amongst both UK and Scottish Government. This entails representing our client through a number of platforms and channels, from one-to-one meetingsand industry roundtables to government working groups and external events.
- You will manage a programme of strategic external events throughout the year, which aim to raise awareness and build advocacy around our client and our brands in both Westminster and Holyrood.
- You will be responsible for overseeing and executing our campaign work in GB to tackle spirits discrimination from an excise tax point of view. You will work hand in hand with our primary trade associations in the UK, as well as campaign alliances to tella positive story about the spirits category and ensure a stable and fair excise duty environment in the UK.
- As Public Affairs Manager you will oversee a number of policy areas relevant to the UK business, with a particular focus on health and alcohol policy, working alongside our relevant trade bodies to track the opportunities and risks of the business and engagewhere relevant and necessary.
- You will work closely with the Head of Corporate Relations in Scotland on Scottish policy matters and stakeholder engagement, being responsible for policy matters that impact the GB business, and proactively engaging with Scottish stakeholders on our Society2030 initiatives and relevant community partnerships.
- You will work hand in hand with the wider CR team to deliver our ambitious CR agenda in GB, such as amplification of our Society 2030 programmes and initiatives and relevant corporate announcements.
- You will work closely with the GB Executive Committee and Corporate Relations Director to set the strategic direction for our public policy agenda and horizon scan for any potential opportunity or risks coming down the line to ensure the business is fullyprepared.
- In this role you will manage our retained Public Affairs agency in GB, as well as working closely with other relevant agencies used by the wider GB and global CR teams, to enable the delivery of our agenda.
- You will be required to oversee our relationship with key trade bodies, such as the Scotch Whisky Association, the British Beer and Pub Association and the Confederation of British Industry, helping to shape and drive activity via relevant working groupsand forums, and supporting senior internal stakeholders with their involvement in these organisations where relevant.

**Skills**:

- We’d love to work with someone who has a keen interest and knowledge of political and current affairs, in addition to a strong external and reputational radar. As a minimum however we require someone to have a broad understand of the UK and/or Scottishpolitical system and willingness to engage with a range of political stakeholders.
- 3-5 years of experience in UK or Scottish political or Government Affairs, either directly, within an agency setting or in an in-house role.
- Prior experience managing or organising events.
- Excellent written and general communication skills, as well as attention to detail are essential for this role.