At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful campaigns and shape public policy for a key industry.
- Company: Join a leading corporate trade body with a strong advocacy focus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and the chance to drive real change.
- Other info: Opportunity to build a new function and lead a high-performing team.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on the UK's economy through strategic communications.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in advocacy and exceptional communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54470 - 65000 £ per year.
We are seeking an exceptional communicator to join our client’s Executive Leadership Team and lead the development of a bold, influential, and campaigns‑led approach to advocacy, policy, and communications. This is a newly created leadership role with the opportunity to redefine how our client engages with Government, policy makers, the media, members, and key stakeholders. As Director of Campaigns, you will be responsible for ensuring the organisation is recognised as the authoritative and unified voice of the sector, driving meaningful policy outcomes and raising awareness of the industry's critical contribution to the UK economy.
You will lead the integration of policy, public affairs, communications, and stakeholder engagement to deliver high‑impact campaigns that influence decision‑makers, strengthen reputation, and create lasting value for members.
The Opportunity
As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will shape organisational strategy and drive a "campaigns first" culture across all advocacy activity. Working closely with colleagues you will create and deliver compelling campaigns that mobilise support, influence policy, and position the organisation at the centre of key national debates. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced campaigns, public affairs, or policy leader looking to make a significant impact within one of the UK's most important sectors.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Develop and deliver a strategic, insight‑led campaigns programme that aligns with organisational priorities, drives member value, and delivers measurable policy and advocacy outcomes.
- Lead the development of evidence‑based policy positions and thought leadership, translating complex issues into compelling narratives that influence political, regulatory, media, and industry audiences.
- Build and maintain influential relationships with Government, parliamentarians, regulators, policymakers, members, and industry stakeholders to strengthen the organisation's voice and impact.
- Enhance the organisation's external profile through strategic communications, media engagement, impactful storytelling, and acting as a senior spokesperson when required.
- Foster collaboration across membership, policy, communications, and external partners to maximise campaign engagement, amplify key messages, and strengthen sector‑wide advocacy.
- Lead, develop, and inspire a high‑performing team, ensuring effective resource management, accountability, innovation, and delivery against strategic objectives.
About You
We are looking for a strategic and politically astute leader with a proven ability to deliver influential campaigns and shape public debate.
Requirements include:
- Proven experience leading high‑profile advocacy, public affairs, or stakeholder engagement campaigns, ideally within a trade association, membership organisation, professional body, or similarly complex stakeholder environment.
- Deep understanding of Government, Parliament, public policy, and political decision‑making processes, with the ability to influence agendas and secure strategic outcomes.
- Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and narrative‑building skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into compelling and persuasive messaging.
- Strong media and external affairs experience, including acting as a credible spokesperson and building influential relationships across Government, media, regulatory, and industry networks.
- Demonstrable success in leading, developing, and inspiring high‑performing teams within a fast‑paced, results‑driven environment.
- Commercially astute and strategically minded, with the credibility, judgement, and leadership capability to operate effectively at Executive Leadership Team level and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a newly created function with significant strategic influence. You will help shape the future of an industry that underpins the UK's economy, leading campaigns that drive real change and ensure the sector's voice is heard where it matters most. If you are an ambitious and influential leader with a passion for advocacy, policy, and strategic communications, we would love to hear from you.
How to apply: For more information and to apply, please share a copy of your CV via the form below. Deadline for applications is midday on Thursday 2nd July.
Director of Campaigns (Public Affairs, Policy and Communications): Leading Corporate Trade Body in London employer: Ellwood Atfield
Join a leading corporate trade body that champions the voice of its sector, offering a dynamic work environment where your strategic vision can shape impactful campaigns and drive meaningful policy outcomes. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation, this organisation fosters a culture of excellence and provides ample opportunities for professional growth within a supportive Executive Leadership Team. Located in the heart of the UK, you will engage with key stakeholders and influence national debates, making a significant contribution to the economy while enjoying a fulfilling career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Campaigns (Public Affairs, Policy and Communications): Leading Corporate Trade Body in London
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like Ellwood Atfield. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like Ellwood Atfield, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
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Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
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We think you need these skills to ace Director of Campaigns (Public Affairs, Policy and Communications): Leading Corporate Trade Body in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Ellwood Atfield. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Ellwood Atfield.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ellwood Atfield
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
