Head of Government Relations

The Aerospace Technology Institute is an independent organisation that works alongside government and industry to transform aerospace through technology and innovation. The ATI is funded equally by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and by industrial recipients of project grants who pay a small levy. ATI projects are chosen and overseen through close collaboration with Innovate UK and BEIS.

Our role is to establish a challenging technology strategy for the sector, and to develop a portfolio of research and technology (R&T) activity to realise that strategy, exploiting the sector's strengths to the full and creating new capabilities for the future market. Government and industry have agreed to provide funding to the ATI Programme out to 2031, creating an ongoing commitment to the development of the UK sustainable aerospace sector.

More information about the ATI is available on its website.

**Mission Statement**
Transforming aerospace through technology and innovation.

**Diversity & Inclusion**
The Aerospace Technology Institute is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring there is no discrimination of any kind within our workforce. Our objective is to maintain a working environment in which there is no unlawful discrimination, and all decisions are based on merit. For more information, please contact HR.

**The Opportunity**

**Position Title: Head of Government Relations**

**Job Type: Permanent**

**Location: London based**

**Travel: Some UK travel**

**Reporting to: Chief Relationships Officer**

**The Role**
The core focus of this role is to enhance the ATI’s engagement with relevant Departments across the UK governments and to lead, influence and co-ordinate policy discussions. You will drive our relationships with BEIS, DfT, MOD and DIT and develop those with HMT, No 10, MPs and Select Committees. You will also work closely with the Devolved Administrations. You will promote ATI independent research and share how our work can support policy development. You will lead the development of the next Spending Review bid. You will oversee UK regional relationships with smaller businesses through the relevant aerospace associations and line manage and develop the regional manager. You will own the Strategic Engagement Plan and work with the leadership team to identify engagement opportunities and maximise ATI’s impact at these events. You will support the wider ATI Thought Leadership and contribute ideas or content to maximise the success of those campaigns. You will also be a key member of the ATI Leadership Team and as such will have corporate responsibilities.

This role reports into the ATI Chief Relationships Officer.

The post holder will manage the Regional Manager and work closely with the International Policy and Communications Teams.

Key activities and responsibilities
- Working with the Chief Relationships Officer to develop and deliver a strategic engagement plan to enhance the profile and reputation of the ATI with key stakeholders including industry, academia, RTOs, Ministers, MPs, advisers, officials and other influencers.
- Understand, input to and influence policy developments across areas including aerospace, sustainability, competitiveness and innovation. Ensure the ATI independent view is understood and where appropriate, incorporated.
- Identify gaps in the political debate that ATI could add value to an co-ordinate input through ATI Thought Leadership, events, visits and meetings. Bring together colleagues from across the ATI to support content and provide visibility of the depth of our expertise.
- Lead the development of the ATI Spending Review narrative and engagement around it. Identify key points of influence and grow ATI ability to engage with them. Create visibility of the impact ATI has. Advise and brief ahead of political meetings.
- Support the ATI’s role on the Jet Zero Council ensuring ATI is able to provide independence advice and value into the discussion. Be the main poc for the Jet Zero Council Secretariat and prepare the CEO ahead of his meetings. Identify areas for work and support CEO/CRO to deliver on our objectives related to this group.
- Oversee UK regional relationships with regional Aerospace Associations, trade associations and influence groups. Grow partnerships and joint working with these groups supporting the growth of the UK aerospace sector.
- Line Manage, develop and support a member of staff and provide leadership across the wider organisation.
- Strategically minded: Able to structure insights and evidence into compelling narrative for how to realise opportunities for the ATI.
- Market knowledge: Solid understanding of the UK political framework and workings of government.
- Commercially minded: Able to work with stakeholders at all levels across the UK aerospace sector and quickly get to grips with the key challenges and issues facing the sector.
- Creative: Able to innovate and to instigate