At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead client teams and shape strategic priorities in public affairs.
- Company: Hanbury Strategy, a dynamic firm focused on impactful communications.
- Benefits: 28 days paid leave, pension plan, hybrid working, and wellness programmes.
- Other info: Join a diverse team and enjoy a rich development programme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in public affairs while developing your skills in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: 4-6 years in public affairs or related fields with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Hanbury Strategy
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 is focused on delivering client excellence and growing our business across offices in London, Brussels, Washington D.C., and Sydney.
We are hiring a driven Public Affairs Associate Director to lead client teams and contribute to the continued growth of our business. The successful candidate will have an appetite for developing knowledge, networks, and skills in a fast-paced and collaborative working environment. You will shape strategic client priorities and deepen relationships. As a key member of our high performing team, you will provide cutting-edge regulatory and political analysis and engagement advice to leading global companies across multiple sectors.
About You
This role requires experience in public affairs. However, at Hanbury we support clients across the whole communications spectrum. We are therefore open to candidates with experience across reputation, communications, politics and policy to help deliver excellence for our clients.
- A solid understanding of the UK political and regulatory landscape and experience.
- At least 4-6 years of professional experience working in government, politics, a regulator, consultancy, think tank, industry body or in-house public affairs roles.
- Dedication to producing high quality work and going the extra mile in a fast paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to cultivate respectful debate and is not afraid to take risks.
- Track record of managing projects and teams in a fast-paced, delivery-focused environment.
- Good organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Capable researcher and analyst, able to interpret complex subject matter at pace and turn into tailored, succinct insights.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, concise advice to stakeholders, both in written and verbal forms.
- A driven self-starter who works well independently but equally eager to be part of a dynamic team.
- Contributes to a positive working environment and 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 client accounts, demonstrating strong lateral thinking and problem resolution skills. Provide strategic regulatory and political analysis, engagement advice and manage the delivery to daily products and services to clients. Consistent focus on adding value to clients and recognises opportunities to extend relationships. Contribute to Hanbury’s house view on relevant policy developments.
Business Development
You will play a significant role in business development, including leading the development of well-structured and creative new business proposals. Active in cross and upselling to existing clients and driving new commercial opportunities. Strong presentation skills and influencing skills. Strong and developing network, building relationships with potential new business leads.
Leadership & Development
You will be responsible for approving work created by more junior colleagues, providing coaching and effective feedback. You will manage junior colleagues on accounts, and have experience in delegation, motivation, supervision and development of others.
Culture
Associate Directors support the development of a positive Hanbury culture and act as an advocate and ambassador for Hanbury both internally and externally.
Benefits
28 days’ paid leave plus bank holidays and time off over Christmas. Pension plan - 4% company contribution. Annual discretionary bonus scheme. Normal working hours are 9am - 6pm. Electric vehicle scheme. Nursery 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.
Equal Opportunities
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.
Associate Director (Public Affairs) in London employer: Hanbury Strategy
At Hanbury Strategy, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in our London Bridge office, where every team member is valued and encouraged to excel. With a strong focus on employee development, we offer a rich array of training opportunities, wellness programmes, and a supportive culture that promotes collaboration and innovation. Join us for a rewarding career where your contributions directly impact our mission to tackle complex reputational and regulatory challenges for our clients.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director (Public Affairs) in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director (Public Affairs) 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 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.