Public Affairs & PR Manager - 12 month FTC

Public Affairs & PR Manager - 12 month FTC

Temporary 54000 - 66000 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
B

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape BDO's public affairs agenda and manage media relations to enhance corporate reputation.
  • Company: Join BDO, a leading accountancy and business advisory firm with a people-centred culture.
  • Benefits: Career development support, agile working, and access to state-of-the-art collaboration spaces.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in public affairs while working with senior leaders and influential stakeholders.
  • Qualifications: Experience in public affairs or corporate communications, with strong communication and relationship management skills.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.

Ideas | People | Trust

We’re BDO. An accountancy and business advisory firm, providing the advice and solutions entrepreneurial organisations need to navigate today’s changing world.

Ideas | People | Trust

We’re BDO. An accountancy and business advisory firm, providing the advice and solutions entrepreneurial organisations need to navigate today’s changing world.

We work with the companies that are Britain’s economic engine – ambitious, entrepreneurially-spirited and high growth businesses that fuel the economy - and directly advise the owners and management teams that lead them.

We’ll broaden your horizons

The BDO Corporate Affairs team which comprises PR, public affairs and brand strategy is responsible for protecting and promoting BDO’s reputation through the media, with politicians and other stakeholders.

We’ll help you succeed

Leading organisations trust us because of the quality of our advice.

That quality grows from a thorough understanding of their business, and that understanding comes from working closely with them and building long‑lasting relationships.

You’ll be someone who is both comfortable working pro‑actively and managing your own tasks, as well as confident collaborating with others and communicating regularly with senior managers, directors, and BDO’s partners to help businesses effectively.

You’ll be encouraged to identify and draw attention to opportunities for enhancing our delivery and providing additional services to organisations we work with.

As the Public Affairs & PR Manager at BDO, you will protect and promote the corporate reputation of one of the UK’s leading professional services firms to support its commercial interests.

Reporting to the Head of Press & Public Affairs, this is a varied role providing a unique opportunity to work across public affairs, media relations and corporate communications in a sector facing high‑profile scrutiny.

You will act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, shaping BDO’s voice on critical economic, regulatory, and industrial policies, while driving high‑impact media coverage and supporting with crisis communications.

In this role you’ll

  • Shape BDO’s policy positions and support with the development of our public affairs agenda, ensuring it is aligned to the firm’s growth strategy.
  • Monitor the political and public policy landscape to identify emerging risks and opportunities which could impact BDO or the interests of our mid‑market clients.
  • Keep track of government and regulatory announcements affecting the accountancy profession and the wider professional services sector to provide timely analysis to senior leaders.
  • Build and maintain networks with key political stakeholders and business journalists, and ensure senior leaders are appropriately prepared for political and media engagements.
  • Develop a strong understanding of the business and cultivate effective internal relationships.
  • Work collaboratively with the wider corporate affairs team to support the development of communications and crisis management strategies.
  • Manage the delivery of routine economic trackers and monthly press releases working with external agencies.

You’ll be someone with

  • Proven experience in a public affairs, government relations, corporate communications or policy advisory role.

Agency or in‑house, though preferably with some experience of a highly regulated environment.

  • Demonstrable interest in and knowledge of the UK business, financial and political news agenda.
  • Strong understanding of the UK political landscape and a track record of engaging effectively with government officials, parliamentarians, trade associations and think tanks.
  • Experience in identifying and managing public policy risks and opportunities, and in advising internal stakeholders on political and regulatory developments.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex policy issues clearly and persuasively to a range of audiences.
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility with internal and external stakeholders.
  • A team player comfortable managing a varied workload - collaboratively, virtually and independently.
  • Self‑motivated, proactive and ambitious for our team and the business.

At BDO, we’ll help you achieve your personal goals and career ambitions, and we have programmes, resources, and frameworks that provide clarity and structure around career development.

We’re in it together

Mutual support and respect is one of BDO’s core values and we’re proud of our distinctive, people‑centred culture.

From informal success conversations to formal mentoring and coaching, we’ll support you at every stage in your career, whatever your personal and professional needs.

Our agile working framework helps us stay connected, bringing teams together where and when it counts so they can share ideas and help one another.

At BDO, you’ll always have access to the people and resources you need to do your best work.

We know that collaboration is the key to creating value for the companies we work with and satisfying experiences for our colleagues, so we’ve invested in state‑of‑the‑art collaboration spaces in our offices.

BDO’s people represent a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and we’ll encourage you to build your network, work alongside others, and share your skills and experiences.

With a range of multidisciplinary events and dedicated resources, you’ll never stop learning at BDO.

We’re looking forward to the future

At BDO, we help entrepreneurial businesses to succeed, fuelling the UK economy.

Our success is powered by our people, which is why we’re always finding new ways to invest in you.

Across the UK thousands of unique minds continue to come together to help companies we work with to achieve their ambitions.

We’ve got a clear purpose, and we’re confident in our future, because we’re adapting and evolving to build on our strengths, ensuring we continue to find the right combination of global reach, integrity and expertise.

We shape the future together with openness and clarity, because we believe in empowering people to think creatively about how we can do things better.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Public Affairs & PR Manager - 12 month FTC employer: BDO UK

BDO UK is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where strategic thinkers can thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth opportunities and professional development, you will be empowered to lead impactful procurement initiatives while aligning with ESG targets. Located in a dynamic professional services environment, BDO UK offers competitive benefits and the chance to work alongside industry leaders, making it a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful employment.

B

Contact Details:

BDO UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Public Affairs & PR Manager - 12 month FTC

✨Join PR Communities

Get involved in local PR groups or online communities where professionals gather to share opportunities and insights. Engage in conversations on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn—spotting temporary roles often happens in these spaces.

✨Attend PR Events

Look for industry events, workshops, or conferences that focus on public relations. Not only will you learn from the pros, but you might also meet someone who's looking for temporary help, which is perfect for a gig like this!

✨Showcase Your Skills

Create a portfolio that highlights any past PR work, campaigns, or even university projects. Share it on your social media or PR forums—you want to make sure your great work is visible when the right temporary role comes up.

✨Apply Directly on Our Website

When you spot a temporary PR role with companies like BDO UK, don't hesitate to apply directly through our website. You'll be on the front line, making it easier for you to get noticed!

We think you need these skills to ace Public Affairs & PR Manager - 12 month FTC

Public Affairs
Media Relations
Corporate Communications
Policy Advisory
Government Relations
Crisis Communications
Political Landscape Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:When you're applying for a temporary role in public relations, your cover letter is your chance to show off your passion for the field. Highlight any relevant PR experience you have, even if it's just through internships or volunteer work. Tell us why you're excited about the opportunity at BDO UK and how you can help make an impact, even in a short time!

Showcase Your Communication Skills:Public relations is all about communicating effectively, so make sure your CV reflects this! Use clear, concise language and showcase any writing samples you might have, such as press releases, blog posts, or social media campaigns. Including a link to a portfolio could really set you apart from other candidates.

Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability:Since this is a temporary role, we want to see how quickly you can jump in and start contributing. Mention past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or quickly adapted to changing situations. It’s these qualities that will show us you can thrive at BDO UK even on a short-term basis!

Research BDO UK and the Industry:Before submitting your application, take some time to learn about BDO UK and its approach to PR. Mention anything specific you like about their campaigns or strategies in your cover letter. This extra effort shows us you're genuinely interested and ready to bring your unique perspective to the team!

How to prepare for a job interview at BDO UK

✨Brush Up on Your Crisis Management Skills

In public relations, handling crises is key. Be ready to discuss past situations where you managed communication challenges effectively. Bring examples that showcase your quick thinking and strategic response – they want to see you in action!

✨Show Off Your Portfolio of Campaigns

Since this is a temporary role, showcasing your portfolio is crucial. Make sure you have a collection of your best press releases, campaign plans, or media coverage. You want to prove you can hit the ground running and bring valuable experience to BDO UK right away!

✨Know Your Media Landscape

A strong PR candidate should be familiar with the media landscape. Brush up on key journalists, publications, and current trends in communications. Think about how you’d tailor messages to different media outlets – you might get asked about this during the interview!

✨Be Ready to Discuss Networking Strategies

Networking is a big part of PR work, especially in a temporary role. Be prepared to chat about your previous networking experiences or how you plan to build key relationships quickly at BDO UK. They’ll want to know you can create buzz and leverage your connections immediately!