Regulatory Affairs Lead

Ellwood Atfield are proud to partner with Exchange for Change, the not-for-profit organisation appointed by the UK government to design, build and operate the UK’s new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use drinks containers made from PET plastic, steel and aluminium. This scheme, which launches on 1st October 2027 across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, will be the world’s biggest DRS and one of the most ambitious environmental infrastructure programmes in the UK’s history.

The opportunity Exchange for Change is seeking a Regulatory Affairs Lead to take ownership of the organisation’s regulatory strategy, ensuring full compliance with DRS legislation and all statutory obligations. The role will be responsible for developing and executing a robust regulatory plan, while proactively monitoring the external environment to anticipate change and future-proof both Exchange for Change and the DRS. Central to the position is the ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with regulators and internal stakeholders, to drive engagement, confidence and transparency. The Regulatory Affairs Lead will play a key role in upholding the highest standards of governance and accountability, ensuring Exchange for Change operates with integrity at every level as it delivers one of the most significant environmental programmes in UK history.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Exchange for Change’s regulatory strategy, ensuring full compliance with UK DRS legislation while proactively monitoring the policy landscape to identify, assess and mitigate risks, and future-proof the organisation and the scheme.
• Lead Exchange for Change’s input into external policy and regulatory consultations, representing the organisation at key stakeholder forums and shaping regulatory activity in line with strategic priorities.
• Act as the strategic lead for all regulator relationships, convening and directing cross-functional teams to deliver tailored engagement strategies across each nation, ensuring consistent messaging, coordinated approaches and effective intelligence-sharing.
• Develop and implement a proactive regulatory affairs engagement strategy, collaborating closely with the Head of External Affairs to align and streamline engagement with both regulators and government representatives.
• Oversee all regulatory reporting and compliance submissions, including quarterly compliance reports, annual funding reports and operational plans for England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
• Recruit and line-manage a Regulatory Affairs Manager, fostering a culture of collaboration, high performance and shared accountability across the regulatory affairs function.

Experience required

• Extensive senior level experience in leading regulatory affairs, compliance or public affairs within a multi-stakeholder and matrixed organisation including FMCG, utilities, transport, logistics and environmental management.
• Strong experience in working with government departments, regulators and trade associations.
• Proven capability engaging diverse stakeholders across industry, supply chains, regulators and government.
• Strong understanding of devolved regulatory systems and differing policy/legislative contexts in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Strategic thinker who can assess, manage and mitigate sensitive issues/risks, balancing political, operational and commercial considerations effectively.
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of translating complex operational issues for political, industry and internal audiences.
• Understanding of UK environmental and waste management regulation would be beneficial.

Benefits

• 34 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Health insurance
• Bike to work scheme
• Care leave
• Car salary sacrifice scheme
• Plus many more benefits

We are an equal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession to ensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best.