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- Tasks: Lead a team to shape NRW's external affairs strategy and engage with key stakeholders.
- Company: Natural Resources Wales protects and enhances the natural environment for future generations.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a Civil Service Pension Scheme with 28.97% employer contributions.
- Why this job: Influence high-level decision-making and advocate for environmental policies that matter.
- Qualifications: Experience in stakeholder management, excellent communication skills, and fluent Welsh required.
- Other info: Diversity is celebrated; applications from under-represented communities are encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 45367 - 50877 £ per year.
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Team / Directorate: Communications and External Affairs / Communications, Customer and Commercial
Starting salary: £45,367 rising to £50,877 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (pro rata for part time applicants)
Contract type: Permanent
Work pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week (Part time, annualised hours, compressed hours or term time working considered – discussions at interview stage welcome)
Interview date: 28/07/2025
Post Number: 203955 (for office use only: GDN, TTJ, H)
The role
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is seeking an experienced External Affairs Manager to lead our strategic engagement with partners.
In this influential role, you will manage a specialist team that works closely with the Chief Executive, Executive Team, and senior leaders across the organisation. Together, you\’ll shape NRW\’s external affairs strategy-ensuring we have a strong, consistent voice in policy discussions, advocacy, and reputation management.
This is a unique opportunity to influence decision-making at the highest levels and help position NRW as a trusted, expert voice in environmental and public policy across Wales.
As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance.
Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.
Successful external applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. We aim to make offers of appointment within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.
About Us
Natural Resources Wales is the principal environmental body for Wales, working to protect and enhance the nation\’s natural environment for future generations. The External Affairs Team is central to this mission-providing expert guidance on political engagement, stakeholder relationships, and policy advocacy to ensure NRW\’s voice is heard and respected at every level.
What you will do
- Manage and lead a team, ensuring the delivery of work plans and be fully accountable for staff development, performance and well-being, as well as ensuring compliance with all NRW policies and procedures.
- Lead on the development and oversee delivery of NRW\’s External Affairs Plan, ensuring effective engagement with government, industry, and key stakeholders to influence policy and decision-making in line with our strategic priorities.
- Work with the team and the Public Affairs Officer to build relationships and manage regular contact with key stakeholders, politicians and political advisers to keep them informed about NRW\’s work and policy concerns and ensure follow up.
- Manage preparation for key stakeholder meetings, ensuring NRW Board, ET and LT staff are well briefed on likely interest and can respond to concerns and questions accordingly.
- Through effective engagement, communication, influencing and negotiation, and working with Heads of Place and Service develop and maintain good working relationships with internal clients and external stakeholders including public- sector organisations, various industrial and commercial sectors
- Act in the best interests of NRW ensuring decision making and advice given are sound and all risks are actively managed. Develop and oversee the feedback loop for sharing intelligence into and out of the business and ensuring that we react appropriately
- Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post
- Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy , together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post
- Be committed to your own development and that of your staff through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
- Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
Your Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge And Skills
In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method .
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with experience of providing advice to senior management
- Extensive experience of management of a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Excellent relationship building skills and experience of quickly developing internal and external networks to help achieve objectives and build advocacy
- Pragmatic and forward thinking with an ability to determine when to escalate issues to Senior Management
- Excellent understanding of the political and public landscape in Wales
- Ability to operate with confidence and credibility at the highest levels of an organisation.
- Political awareness and experience of operating in politically sensitive environments.
- Experience of managing teams, including all aspects of line management.
Welsh Language Level Requirements
- Essential: C2 – Higher proficiency level (fluent in both spoken and written Welsh) previous Level 5
Benefits
This role will offer a range of benefits, including:
- Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
- 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
- generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
- commitment to professional development
- health and wellbeing benefits and support
- weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose
See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.
Please keep reading
We\’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of disability, neurodivergence, ethnic origin,colour, nationality, gender expression and gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation,culture,or religion. We put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values .
We are committed to equal opportunities and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.
We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.
We are a Bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards . Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.
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External Affairs Manager, NATURAL RESOURCES WALES
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External Affairs Manager employer: ABJ Supply
Contact Detail:
ABJ Supply Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land External Affairs Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Natural Resources Wales' mission and current projects. Understanding their strategic priorities will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the environmental sector, especially those who have experience in external affairs. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and may even lead to valuable referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising the STAR method to showcase your relevant experiences. Focus on examples that highlight your communication skills and stakeholder management abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current political and environmental issues in Wales. Being knowledgeable about these topics will demonstrate your awareness and readiness to engage in policy discussions effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace External Affairs Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in external affairs, stakeholder management, and team leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to influence policy and engage with senior management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for environmental issues and how your skills align with the role. Use the STAR method to illustrate your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Demonstrate Welsh Language Proficiency: Since fluency in Welsh is essential for this role, include any relevant qualifications or experiences that showcase your language skills. If applicable, mention situations where you have used Welsh in a professional context.
Prepare for the Interview: Anticipate questions related to your experience with stakeholder engagement and political awareness. Prepare to discuss how you would approach developing NRW's External Affairs Plan and managing relationships with key stakeholders.
How to prepare for a job interview at ABJ Supply
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description and the key responsibilities of the External Affairs Manager. Familiarise yourself with Natural Resources Wales' mission and how this role contributes to their strategic goals.
✨Prepare for STAR Method Questions
Since the interview will require you to demonstrate your skills using the STAR method, prepare specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your communication skills, stakeholder management, and team leadership. Practice articulating these examples clearly.
✨Research Current Political Landscape
Given the political sensitivity of the role, it's crucial to be well-informed about the current political landscape in Wales. Be prepared to discuss recent developments and how they may impact NRW's external affairs strategy.
✨Showcase Your Welsh Language Skills
As fluency in Welsh is essential for this position, be ready to demonstrate your language skills during the interview. Consider preparing a brief introduction or answering some questions in Welsh to highlight your proficiency.
