Public Affairs Adviser

The Law Society represents solicitors in England and Wales. From negotiating with and lobbying the profession's regulators, government, and others, to offering training and advice, we are here to help, protect, and promote solicitors across England and Wales.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit for a role at the heart of the Law Society's campaigning and political influencing activity. The Law Society is the independent professional body for over 200,000 solicitors in England and Wales. A year into the new government, there is a huge opportunity to influence the political debate, driving important issues such as access to justice, the rule of law, and supporting a thriving legal business sector up the agenda and influence on behalf of our members.

About the role

This is an exciting role at the heart of our busy public affairs team, leading on our influencing and lobbying work on behalf of our members. As a Public Affairs Adviser, you will lead on the development and delivery of public affairs plans for specific policy areas, and support other core team functions such as campaigns, speechwriting, political monitoring, and stakeholder management. This is an exciting and varied role where your expertise and knowledge will be used to great effect to make a real impact for our members.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of public affairs plans and activities for a number of thematic areas of interest to our members.
• Respond timely and effectively to legislative developments that impact the legal profession and justice system.
• Actively lobby on priority Bills and campaigns in Parliament.
• Build and maintain alliances.
• Support the development and delivery of Law Society campaigns.
• Research and draft written outputs including speeches, briefings, and thought pieces.
• Support the implementation of the Society’s external stakeholder engagement work.
• Deliver high-quality parliamentary monitoring and political intelligence, advising members and staff on political and legislative developments, and proactively identifying issues and opportunities of relevance to the Society and the profession.
• Design and deliver high-quality events for political stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues from across the organisation in the development of public affairs outputs and activities.
• Engage with the Law Society’s members as part of public affairs campaigning work, where appropriate.
• Actively contribute to creating an inclusive and welcoming team environment, building effective working relationships with a range of colleagues and internal stakeholders across the Law Society.

Significant experience of working within a government, parliamentary, public affairs, campaigns, and related environment. Experience in planning and managing successful public affairs campaigns. Avid interest in politics with a thorough knowledge of the political process and the workings of Parliament. Collaborate effectively with a broad and diverse range of people within the Society and externally. Excellent written skills with the ability to communicate complex issues and develop innovative ways of communicating. Self-motivated and enthusiastic. A strong commitment to the delivery of high-quality work. Detail-oriented while also able to keep a bigger picture and pursue strategic priorities. A respectful and engaging approach with the ability to interface with multiple teams and functions. Able to effectively manage own wellbeing during busy peaks of work and moments of high pressure, with support from the Law Society as appropriate. A constructive approach to problem solving. Able to work effectively in a fast-paced and busy environment. The successful candidate will need to plan and manage their own workload, working with a high degree of autonomy to lead on projects. As this is a small and highly focused team, the post holder will have regular opportunities to feed into the wider work of the business unit. The post holder will work closely with a number of other departments within the Society, including the executive office, media team, legal policy, communications, our international team, and others. Experience in another communications discipline, such as media, corporate communications, and digital communications. Experience of mobilising members and/or supporters as part of a campaign. Experience in providing secretariat functions for a group. A knowledge of the legal sector and the public policy issues that influence it.

Required Qualifications

• Educated to an undergraduate degree level or commensurate work experience.

3% flex fund after 3 months. Generous flexible benefits package. Friendly working environment. Working locations: Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely.

This is an excellent opportunity to work with contemporary thinkers in a progressive membership organisation. The successful candidate will join a strong brand with a reputation for excellence and legal expertise, committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, and a culture of trust, clarity, excellence, and respect.