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- Tasks: Build relationships with stakeholders and advise leaders on strategic engagement.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at the Department for Transport, shaping transport policies.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension contribution.
- Other info: Great career development opportunities and supportive management culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in government relations and influence key decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in external affairs or communications with strong influencing skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Can you build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders across the transport, business and supply chain sectors? Do you have the confidence to influence and advise Ministers and senior leaders? Have you built a strong track record in government relations, external affairs, public affairs or communications? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
Responsibilities
- You will be responsible for developing stakeholder handling, engagement plans and visit proposals to deliver Ministerial and senior official priorities.
- You will build relationships with key stakeholders and represent the Department at meetings and events.
- You will regularly advise Ministers and senior officials on stakeholder issues, ensuring a consistently strong strategic approach to engagement across the department.
- You will have line management responsibilities and support senior colleagues in running a successful External Engagement team.
The successful candidate will have a background in government relations / external affairs / public affairs and/or communications, with strong influencing skills, the ability to manage competing demands and the confidence to advise leaders on controversial and challenging reputational issues.
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Role and Responsibilities
We're looking for an experienced external engagement professional to join our team, leading stakeholder relationships across the transport, business and supply chain sectors. You'll provide strategic advice to Ministers and senior leaders, develop high-quality engagement plans and events, and manage an External Engagement Officer.
Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:
- Building effective and proactive relationships with key organisations in the transport, business and supply chain sectors to support the Department’s objectives.
- Supporting the wider External Engagement team to deliver the Department’s strategic engagement strategy, including developing stakeholder handling and engagement plans for high-profile and controversial issues.
- Providing strategic advice to Ministers and our Executive Committee on stakeholder engagement and handling and develop a programme of high-quality engagement events and visits that highlight Ministerial and Departmental priorities.
- Managing an External Engagement Officer, supporting them to plan and deliver Ministerial visits and develop their skills and capability.
- Producing briefings and communications material for key audiences, such as businesses and industry organisations, to promote better understanding of key issues and initiatives.
- Gathering intelligence and analysing the effectiveness of external engagement to help inform current and future engagement strategies.
- Championing the establishment of common engagement principles and best practice to improve the quality of stakeholder engagement across the department and its agencies.
- Assisting policy teams within the Department in the development and delivery of their own stakeholder engagement programmes.
Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.
Senior External Affairs Manager in Leeds employer: Government Recruitment Service
Contact Detail:
Government Recruitment Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior External Affairs Manager in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the transport, business, and supply chain sectors. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to senior stakeholders on LinkedIn. Building those relationships can really set you apart!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the department’s current priorities and think about how your experience in government relations or public affairs can contribute. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've influenced stakeholders in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your strategic thinking! When you get the chance to speak with decision-makers, highlight your ability to develop engagement plans and handle controversial issues. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a doer, but a thinker who can navigate complex situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our process!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior External Affairs Manager in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in government relations and external affairs. We want to see how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Influencing Skills: Since this role involves advising Ministers and senior leaders, it’s crucial to demonstrate your influencing abilities. Use specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated complex stakeholder relationships or managed competing demands.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Keep your language straightforward and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while still reflecting your personality and passion for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. This way, you can ensure your application reaches us without any hiccups, and you’ll have access to all the latest updates about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Recruitment Service
✨Know Your Stakeholders
Before the interview, research the key stakeholders in the transport, business, and supply chain sectors. Understand their priorities and challenges. This will help you demonstrate your ability to build effective relationships and show that you're already thinking strategically about how to engage with them.
✨Showcase Your Influencing Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced senior leaders or Ministers in the past. Be ready to discuss specific situations where your advice made a difference. This will highlight your confidence and capability in handling challenging reputational issues.
✨Engagement Plans Matter
Think about how you would develop stakeholder handling and engagement plans for high-profile issues. Bring a few ideas to the table during the interview to showcase your strategic thinking and creativity. This will demonstrate your proactive approach to external affairs.
✨Line Management Experience
Be prepared to discuss your line management experience and how you've supported team members in developing their skills. Highlight any successful projects you've led and how you fostered a positive team environment. This will show that you can lead the External Engagement team effectively.