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- Tasks: Lead strategic public affairs initiatives and engage with key political stakeholders.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation representing brewers and pubs across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team with excellent career development prospects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the brewing industry while shaping public policy.
- Qualifications: Experience in public affairs and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Director of Communications & External Affairs
Location: London (Hybrid)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Purpose of the Role: The Head of Public Affairs provides senior, strategic leadership of the BBPA’s political engagement and external affairs activity. The role acts as the single point of accountability for political strategy, stakeholder influence, and external risk management, ensuring the interests of brewers and pubs are effectively represented across Westminster, devolved administrations, and local and regional government. This role leads the public affairs function, delivering long-term influence, high-impact engagement, and strategic alignment between policy development and external advocacy. Reporting and accountable to the Director of Communications & External Affairs, the Head of Public Affairs also manages the Public Affairs Officer and oversees activity relating to the Welsh Beer & Pub Association.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the BBPA’s public affairs strategy.
- Provide senior political advice, judgement, and scenario planning, particularly during high-pressure or high-profile moments (Budgets, elections, crises).
- Anticipate political risks and opportunities, ensuring the organisation is well-prepared and strategically positioned.
- Work closely with senior leadership to translate policy priorities into effective political and public affairs activity.
- Work closely with the Head of Communications to ensure that public affairs messaging supports and compliments wider media engagement.
- Develop a profile and role providing media commentary on key campaign issues.
- Government & Political Engagement
- Build and maintain high-level relationships across Westminster, including Ministers, MPs, Peers, civil servants, and Select Committees.
- Lead engagement with devolved administrations, including acting as the senior lead for all work relating to the Welsh Beer & Pub Association.
- Strengthen the BBPA’s influence in Scotland and Northern Ireland through coordinated, high-quality engagement.
- Develop and maintain relationships with regional and local government, including Metro Mayors and Combined Authorities, to support political influence at sub-national levels.
- Stakeholder & Industry Relations
- Act as a senior representative of the BBPA in key industry forums, coalitions, and stakeholder groups.
- Serve as the central point of contact for industry and trade-body relations, attending meetings and briefings as needed.
- Build strategic partnerships that strengthen the industry’s influence and credibility.
- Oversee the BBPA’s regional associations, ensuring consistent visibility and alignment across the UK.
- Campaigns, Events & Advocacy
- Oversee the delivery of public affairs campaigns, including campaign design, messaging, and parliamentary engagement.
- Direct the production of campaign materials (design, print, distribution) to support BBPA objectives.
- Organise and lead events, conferences, parliamentary receptions, and seminars that support political engagement.
- Consistent briefing of members on campaigns (including the Long Live the Local campaign) and leveraging member network to galvanise support around key messaging and activations.
- Internal Advice & Member Engagement
- Liaise closely with BBPA policy experts to remain abreast of sector developments, ensuring political activity reflects emerging issues.
- Brief members on political developments, policy changes, and the likely impact on the brewing and pub industry.
- Advise colleagues across the organisation on political implications related to their policy areas.
- Team Leadership & Capability Development
- Line manage and develop the Public Affairs Officer, including objective-setting, coaching, and career development.
- Support capability-building across the communications and external affairs team to strengthen organisational resilience.
- Establish systems and processes to ensure a high-performing, coordinated, and future-ready public affairs function.
- External Agency Management
- Support the management of the BBPA’s public affairs agency, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Oversee delivery, evaluate performance, and provide direction to maximise strategic impact.
Person Specification:
- Significant experience working in senior public affairs or political roles.
- Strong track record of delivering public affairs strategies and managing senior political relationships.
- Proven ability to provide political judgement, particularly during high-stakes or fast-moving situations.
- Experience of working with Westminster and, ideally, devolved governments.
- Experience line managing or developing junior staff.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
- Demonstrable stakeholder engagement experience with political, industry, or trade audiences.
- Passion for beer, pubs, and the communities they serve.
- Collaborative, strategic thinker with excellent decision-making skills.
- High integrity, sound judgement, and strong political awareness.
- Ability to build trusted relationships internally and externally.
- Confidence operating autonomously at a senior level.
Measures of Success:
- Strengthened political relationships and influence across Westminster, devolved administrations, and regions.
- Clear, credible public affairs strategy aligned with BBPA policy objectives.
- High-quality member briefings, insights, and political intelligence.
- Reduced reactive crisis handling through improved anticipation and planning.
- Increased clarity of internal accountability and improved external decision-making.
- A confident, high-performing public affairs function with strong team capability.
Working Relationships:
- Internal: Director of Strategy & Policy, Communications & External Affairs Team
- External: Ministers, MPs, Peers, and civil servants, Devolved administrations and regional authorities, Metro Mayors and local government leaders, Industry trade bodies and coalition partners, Political advisers and public affairs agencies
Interview dates: Please note that we will conduct a dynamic recruitment process and will review CVs as they arrive. There is a two stage interview process and we will aim to conduct interviews during April.
If you're interested in this role, please do send your CV and cover letter to nickyackerley@hrsupportconsultancy.co.uk
Please note that we are not using external recruiters.
Head of Public Affairs employer: British Beer & Pub Association
Contact Detail:
British Beer & Pub Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Public Affairs
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its public affairs strategies. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals and be ready to discuss it. Confidence is key, so practice your pitch until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the industry! Whether it’s through social media, blogs, or conversations, let your enthusiasm for beer, pubs, and community shine through. It’s not just about skills; it’s about showing you care.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Make sure your application reflects your understanding of the role and how you can contribute to the BBPA’s mission. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Public Affairs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Public Affairs role. Highlight your experience in public affairs and political engagement, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the brewing and pub industry, and how your skills can help us strengthen our political relationships. Keep it engaging and concise!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In both your CV and cover letter, demonstrate your strategic thinking abilities. Share examples of how you've successfully developed and implemented public affairs strategies in the past, especially during high-pressure situations.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Beer & Pub Association
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the BBPA’s public affairs strategy and recent political developments. Familiarise yourself with key issues affecting the brewing and pub industry, as well as the current political landscape. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Build Your Network
Since this role involves high-level relationships across Westminster and devolved administrations, think about how you can leverage your existing connections. If you have contacts in the industry or political circles, mention them during the interview. It shows you’re proactive and already engaged in the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing teams and developing junior staff. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully led a project or initiative, especially in high-pressure situations. This will illustrate your capability to lead the public affairs function effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your political judgement and crisis management skills. Think of scenarios where you had to navigate complex political landscapes or manage stakeholder expectations. Practising your responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.