Public Affairs Manager

Public Affairs Manager

City of London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Engage with political stakeholders and manage strategic communications to enhance our brand reputation.
  • Company: Join British Airways, the UK's flag carrier with over 100 years of history.
  • Benefits: Enjoy staff travel perks, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in public affairs while connecting Britain with the world.
  • Qualifications: Experience in Government or Public Affairs and strong communication skills required.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Overview

A career without limits

As the nation’s flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain.

It’s something we’ve been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world’s first international scheduled air service between London and Paris.

This originality has been in our blood since day one. It’s the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues.

So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far-flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make.

We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.

Join our dynamic Corporate Affairs and Sustainability team at British Airways as a Corporate Communications Lead, where you\\\’ll shape and deliver strategic communications that champion our corporate narrative. From financial reporting and sustainability to elevating the external profile of our CEO, this role is vital in promoting our strategy and strengthening our brand reputation across the media landscape.

The Role: Public Affairs Manager

The candidate will be part of the Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Directorate, an integral part of the business that is responsible for promoting and defending the airline\\\’s reputation with both internal and external stakeholders.

What you’ll do:

Responsibilities

  • Political & Stakeholder Engagement: Builds and maintains relationships with key political contacts to update them on business issues, opportunities and challenges
  • Campaigns and Lobbying: Works with external agencies as appropriate to execute strategies and implement campaigns aligned to business priorities, to engage political stakeholders, influence policy, and enhance the airline’s reputation in Whitehall, Parliament, and industry circles
  • Government & Diplomatic Relations: Plans and manages international government engagement, supporting route launches and withdrawals, market access, and regulatory compliance
  • Policy & Advocacy: Monitors and analyses legislative and regulatory developments at national, European, and international levels, providing timely insights and recommendations
  • Strategic Communications: Creates and delivers well-researched briefing materials, consultation responses, speeches, and government correspondence to support policy objectives
  • Industry engagement and representation: Engages with industry associations and external organisations to strengthen collective lobbying efforts and represents the airline at key industry forums, collaborating to align on advocacy efforts
  • Crisis & Issues Management: Provides government affairs support during crises and disruptions, ensuring effective stakeholder communication and manages individual international travel arrangements related to government affairs activity and initiatives
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Works closely with the IAG Government Affairs team and internal business units to align advocacy with commercial objectives

What you’ll bring to British Airways:

  • Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills
  • Strong situational awareness, judgement and ability to proactively pre-empt issues and consequences and propose solutions and learnings
  • Relentlessly upbeat and continually motivated to drive performance and improvement
  • Juggles and prioritises multiple tasks and translates complex issues into simple narratives
  • Advises, challenges and influences senior leaders
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and able to work in and respond to a fast-paced, deadline driven, changeable and complex operating environment
  • Strong awareness of the news and political agenda and current affairs
  • Positive attitude, with a growth mindset
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Self-starter, uses initiative and problem solves
  • Flexible, embraces change and open to new ideas
  • Creative
  • Resilient, calm under pressure and delivers to deadline
  • Able to plan, organise, prioritise and manage workload
  • Builds relationships and networks effectively
  • Caring, tactful and diplomatic

Your experience:

  • Significant, relevant and demonstrable Government or Public Affairs experience
  • Established relationships within the UK Government
  • Demonstrable understanding of how Government and Government departments work and get things done
  • Experience of handling and building relationships with MPs, Government representatives, Civil Servants, etc
  • Good knowledge of global, fast-paced consumer-facing business and/or 24/7 operational and unionised environments

What we offer:

We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary.

From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family.

At British Airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress.

We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.

Inclusion & Diversity

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work.

Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.

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Public Affairs Manager employer: British Airways

At British Airways, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the contributions of every team member. With a strong commitment to employee growth and development, we offer unparalleled benefits including extensive staff travel perks and opportunities for career advancement across our global network. Our inclusive work culture fosters creativity and innovation, making it an exciting place to build a meaningful career in the heart of the aviation industry.
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Contact Detail:

British Airways Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Public Affairs Manager

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at British Airways. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.

✨Ace the Informational Interview

If you can, set up informal chats with folks who work in public affairs or corporate communications. This is your chance to learn more about the role and the company culture while also making a great impression. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the position!

✨Showcase Your Skills

When you get the chance to meet with hiring managers or during interviews, be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. Highlight your experience in political engagement and crisis management to align with what British Airways is looking for.

✨Follow Up with Flair

After any meeting or interview, send a thoughtful follow-up message. Thank them for their time, reiterate your enthusiasm for the role, and maybe even mention something specific from your conversation. It’s a simple way to keep you top of mind!

We think you need these skills to ace Public Affairs Manager

Political Engagement
Stakeholder Management
Campaign Strategy
Lobbying
Government Relations
Policy Analysis
Strategic Communications
Crisis Management
Cross-functional Collaboration
Written Communication
Verbal Communication
Presentation Skills
Judgement and Decision-Making
Attention to Detail
Relationship Building

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for public affairs shine through! We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at British Airways. Share why you’re excited about the role and how you can contribute to our corporate narrative.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in government or public affairs. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their understanding of how government works and their established relationships within the UK Government. Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect this!

Be Clear and Concise: In a fast-paced environment like ours, clarity is key! When crafting your written application, keep your language straightforward and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the point while showcasing your skills and experiences.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re proactive and keen to join our team at British Airways!

How to prepare for a job interview at British Airways

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into British Airways' recent news, campaigns, and their corporate narrative. Understanding their current challenges and opportunities will help you engage in meaningful conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

✨Build Your Story

Prepare to share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills in political engagement, crisis management, and strategic communications. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.

✨Showcase Your Connections

Since the role involves building relationships with key political contacts, be ready to discuss your existing network and how you've successfully engaged with government representatives in the past. This will demonstrate your capability to hit the ground running.

✨Stay Calm and Collected

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially for a high-stakes role like this. Practice mindfulness techniques or breathing exercises beforehand to keep your nerves in check. A calm demeanour will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently.

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