Head of Public Affairs in Cardiff

We are an organisation that understands our role and responsibility within the wider society we serve. Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion underpins how we engage with stakeholders, influence policy and represent the perspectives of the communities we work for. We believe inclusive decision‑making leads to better outcomes, stronger partnerships and greater public trust. Our public affairs approach is shaped by integrity, accountability and respect. We seek to engage with a wide range of voices, champion fairness and ensure that under‑represented perspectives are considered in the conversations that matter. By embedding EDI into our external relationships and advocacy, we aim to create lasting, positive impact – contributing to a more equitable and inclusive future.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Director of Corporate Affairs, the Head of Public Affairs is responsible for leading Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s public affairs and political engagement activity. The role provides strategic leadership on government and political relationships, ensuring the organisation is well‑positioned within the evolving political, policy and regulatory landscape. Through effective reputation management and the ability to build trusted relationships with key external influencers, you will play a central role in supporting the company to deliver on its customer promises and to build trust with customers every day. The Head of Public Affairs is the organisation’s senior expert on political insight and public policy, advising the Executive and senior leaders on emerging risks, opportunities and stakeholder considerations. The role ensures a coordinated, credible and proactive approach to engagement with elected representatives and public bodies, supporting the delivery of Welsh Water’s strategic objectives, regulatory commitments and public trust.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a comprehensive public affairs strategy aligned to Welsh Water’s corporate strategy, regulatory priorities and long‑term plans.
• Lead engagement with Welsh Government, UK Government, Members of the Senedd, MPs, local authority leaders and other elected representatives to build constructive, trusted relationships.
• Provide timely, high‑quality political insight, horizon scanning and strategic advice to the Executive, Board and senior leaders on emerging policy, legislative and political developments.
• Coordinate the development of clear, evidence‑based policy positions and briefing materials to support advocacy, consultations and external engagement.
• Prepare briefings, speaking notes and risk assessments for Executive and senior leader engagement with Ministers, officials and political stakeholders.
• Identify and manage political and public policy risks, working closely with Corporate Affairs, Communications, Regulation and Legal teams to ensure aligned responses.
• Act as the central point of coordination for political engagement activity across the organisation, ensuring consistency of messaging and approach.
• Represent Welsh Water at external forums, industry groups and stakeholder events where public affairs or political engagement is required.
• Lead, manage and develop the Public Affairs team, ensuring clear objectives, professional development and high performance.
• Manage relationships with external public affairs advisers, industry bodies and representative organisations to maximise value and influence.
• Maintain systematic mapping of elected representatives and political stakeholders, ensuring up‑to‑date intelligence on key contacts across Wales and Herefordshire.
• Coordinate and document political engagement activity, including meeting inputs, follow‑ups, commitments, interactions and outcomes, ensuring visibility and organisational learning.
• Monitor and track political engagement outcomes and relationship strength, escalating insights or emerging political risks to the Executive and senior leaders where required.
• Participate in a 24‑hour press office service through an on‑call out‑of‑hours rota.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification in public affairs, politics, public policy, communications, journalism or a related discipline.
• Leadership or management qualification advantageous.
• Significant senior‑level experience in public affairs, government relations or political engagement within a complex, regulated or public‑facing organisation.
• Proven track record of developing and delivering public affairs strategies that influence policy, legislation or regulatory outcomes.
• Experience engaging effectively with UK and Welsh Government, elected representatives (MPs, MSs, Councillors), local authorities officers and other political stakeholders.
• Ability to map and manage external stakeholders, working with stakeholder‑relationship owners to ensure their needs are met and relationships are maintained across the company.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders and the Executive Team on stakeholder engagement and wider political and influencer relationships.
• Experience managing high‑profile, sensitive or contentious issues in a political and media environment.
• Line‑management experience leading specialist teams and/or external advisers (e.g. monitoring and political intelligence agency).

Knowledge & Skills

• Deep understanding of UK and Welsh political institutions, policy‑making processes and legislative frameworks.
• Strong understanding of the regulatory and political context affecting the water sector or other regulated utilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and relationship‑building skills at senior level.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including briefing, position papers and ministerial correspondence.
• Strong judgement, discretion and ability to operate effectively in high‑pressure and ambiguous situations.
• Strategic thinking capability with the ability to translate political insight into actionable organisational advice.
• Ability to provide communications training and direct support for on‑call rota and during gold, silver and bronze operational incidents, where required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and 34 days annual leave (pro‑rata, including public holidays).
• Option to buy additional annual leave up to 5 days per year.
• Enhanced employer pension contributions – up to 11% employer contributions.
• Free mortgage brokering services.
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies.
• Progression opportunities, including the ability to apply for funded training and coaching and mentoring programmes.
• Gym and fitness discounts, as well as high‑street shopping discounts.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Discount off all Welsh Water visitor attraction centres and gift shops.
• Car‑leasing scheme and free on‑site parking at all sites.
• Health CashBack scheme and access to an online GP service.
• An employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate family.