Director, Public Affairs & Communications

Director, Public Affairs & Communications

Full-Time 42750 - 52250 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead client relationships and deliver strategic communications solutions across various sectors.
  • Company: Dynamic global consultancy focused on impactful public affairs and communications.
  • Benefits: 28 days paid leave, hybrid working, wellness programmes, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Embrace a diverse culture and enjoy a supportive work environment.
  • Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real difference in public affairs and communications.
  • Qualifications: 7+ years in consultancy or related fields with strong leadership and communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 42750 - 52250 £ per year.

We turn insight into impact.

Whether a client is facing a communications challenge or has a policy goal, our exceptional team uses our understanding of politics, public opinion and the press to create campaigns that work.

We have a relentless focus on achieving great results for our clients.

Founded in 2016, Hanbury continues to focus on delivering client excellence and growing our business across offices in London, Brussels, Washington D. C. and Sydney.

We are looking to bring on board a driven Director with expertise across Public Affairs and Communications to lead a broad client portfolio and contribute to the ongoing growth of our business.

This role will be pivotal in delivering strategic counsel and operational support to clients across multiple sectors and to helping to run this thriving global consultancy.

About You

The ideal candidate profile

  • Has a shrewd understanding of the UK political, regulatory and media landscape.
  • Will have at least 7 years of professional experience working in consultancy, politics, a regulator, think tank, industry body or in‑house PA/Comms roles.

Previous agency experience is particularly favoured.

  • Is dedicated to producing high quality work and going the extra mile in a fast paced environment.
  • Has a collaborative leadership style, with a commitment to mentoring and developing talent within the organisation.
  • Has excellent interpersonal skills to encourage respectful debate and is not afraid to take risks.
  • Has a proven track record of managing projects and leading project teams in a fast‑paced, delivery‑focused environment.
  • Has excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to provide clear, concise advice to senior stakeholders, both in written and verbal forms.
  • Wants to be part of a dynamic team and drive a positive working environment.
  • Enjoys working with people with a diverse range of backgrounds and opinions.
  • Role and Responsibilities
  • Client Management
  • Experienced client handling.

You will manage overall client relationships on a portfolio of around 8 client accounts, ensuring profitability, strategic alignment and efficient resource planning (with minimal oversight).

  • Provide strategic regulatory and political analysis, media engagement advice and manage the delivery to daily products and services to clients.
  • Consistent focus on anticipating challenges and adding value to clients and recognises opportunities to extend relationships.
  • You will maintain financial oversight, foster cross‑team collaboration and lead by example through exceptional client delivery.
  • Business Development
  • You will be a key commercial driver in retaining clients and generating organic growth.
  • In business development, directors lead the development of well‑structured and creative new business proposals - with minimal partner involvement - whilst coaching junior staff.
  • Active in industry networking with a consistent track record of delivering growth.
  • Own at least one marketing initiative and foster cross‑selling opportunities across the firm.
  • Strong presentation skills and influencing skills.
  • Leadership & Development
  • Champion excellence firm‑wide, promoting client successes and sharing best practices.
  • Actively support and participate in company‑wide training and development programmes.
  • Manage junior colleagues effectively through delegation, clear feedback, motivation, and professional development.
  • Collaborate with Partners on recruitment, onboarding, and defining new roles.
  • Proactively drive improvements to working practices across all teams.
  • Culture
  • Directors support the development of a positive Hanbury culture and act as an advocate and ambassador for Hanbury both internally and externally.
  • 28 days paid leave plus bank holidays and time off over Christmas.
  • Annual discretionary bonus scheme.
  • Normal working hours are 9am - 6pm.
  • Electric vehicle scheme.
  • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan.
  • The opportunity to opt in to Vitality including private health care and subsidised gym.
  • We are a hybrid working employer.
  • Work from abroad policy for up to 4 weeks a year.
  • Access to a full social and cultural calendar and employee wellness programmes.
  • A rich and diverse people development programme including fortnightly internal training sessions and a full annual programme of external trainers and inspirational speakers.

Hanbury Strategy is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex or sexual orientation.

As part of our commitment to equal opportunities, we are open to discussions about alternative working patterns or hours.

Please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments to be made during recruitment or in employment for reasons associated with your physical or mental health.

We are committed to ensuring everyone is able to fully participate in whatever way is most appropriate for them.

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Director, Public Affairs & Communications employer: Hanbury Strategy

At Hanbury Strategy, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored mentorship programmes and opportunities to lead high-impact campaigns in the dynamic UK political and media landscape. With offices in global hubs, we offer a unique environment where your contributions are valued, and you can thrive both personally and professionally.

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Contact Details:

Hanbury Strategy Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, Public Affairs & Communications

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We think you need these skills to ace Director, Public Affairs & Communications

Understanding of UK political landscape
Regulatory analysis
Media engagement
Client relationship management
Project management
Business development
Presentation skills

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 Hanbury Strategy. 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 Hanbury Strategy.

How to prepare for a job interview at Hanbury Strategy

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.