Head of Corporate Affairs

Job Posting End Date: August 09

**Who are we?**

We are Unum - one of the UK’s leading employee benefits providers.

We’ve been around for 50 years, currently protecting over 1.7 million people, providing security and peace of mind to individuals and their families.

With a Fortune 500, US parent company, we’re part of highly successful global organisation, sharing ideas and innovations across teams to create a collaborative work environment. We’re transforming our business, and we’re keen to increase our digital capabilities to evolve the way we work and optimise opportunities for growth.

**The role**

**What will you be doing?**

As our Head of Corporate Affairs, you will be the face of Unum UK’s corporate affairs strategy, working closely with the leadership and senior management team to identify key public policies that interest Unum’s business. You will connect regularly with Internal Communications, External Communications, Social Media, and Corporate Social Responsibility to ensure a coherent and effective public affairs strategy.

**What will you bring?**

Working closely with leadership, senior management and US senior management (where appropriate) to set and implement a strategy to achieve key goals through effective participation in the legislative and regulatory environment in the UK and when appropriate in the EU.

This includes:

- Identifying specific UK legislative, regulatory and public policy issues of importance to Unum UK.
- Being the face of Unum’s UK corporate affairs strategy, presenting at conferences and seminars and establishing a strong media followership to reinforce Unum as a thought leader in the Risk and Health markets.
- Supporting the Company’s public affairs goals by maintaining and strengthening a close working relationship with Government Ministers, Shadow Ministers, key Members of Parliament and Peers, and senior officials.
- Maintaining a close working relationship with the constituency MPs, primarily for Basingstoke and Dorking.
- Forging and maintaining a close working relationship with Members of key All Party Parliamentary Groups, Parliamentary Researchers, Political Parties policy officers; officials of key Parliamentary Committees, officials from key Government Departments, primarily: Cabinet Office; Department for Business, Innovation and Skills; Department for Work and Pensions; Department of Health; and HM Treasury, policy officers at the Financial Conduct Authority, Prudential Regulatory Authority and Financial Ombudsman Service, and key non-profit organisations (in conjunction with the CSR Manager) to achieve the legislative, political and public policy interests of the company

**What will you bring?**

You will be an excellent public speaker, able to influence public opinion across all media channels and have proven experience of working in an in-house public affairs/government relations role or within a public affairs consultancy. You will have worked closely with policy makers within both UK and EU institutions, identifying public policy opportunities and achieving tangible success.

In addition, a solid understanding of financial services issues and products is essential as well as extensive knowledge and understanding of the UK political system.

**Why join us?**

Our culture

We aim to be the most inclusive, diverse and socially responsible company in the employee benefits market. With an agile and flexible way of working, we want to be a place where people aspire to work and where everyone can be themselves.

**What will you get in return?**

We are passionate about our employee health and wellbeing and providing work-life balance that suits you.

Our benefits include a discretionary bonus, 24/7 health support services (including a remote GP), income protection, health cash plan, 27 days annual leave, opportunity to participate in charitable events and more.

However you see your future career, we’ll support and challenge you to be your best with a wealth of learning and development opportunities.

Company:
Unum UK