At a Glance
- Tasks: Support government affairs and communications, engaging with stakeholders and preparing high-quality materials.
- Company: Join Hypersonica, a pioneering tech firm redefining European defence capabilities.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, share options, and a mission-driven environment with real impact.
- Other info: Fast-paced culture with high ownership and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of defence technology while working closely with senior leaders.
- Qualifications: 2-4 years in defence, public affairs, or communications; strong writing and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Help Build Europe's Hypersonic Capability
At Hypersonica, we’re redefining what’s possible in European defence technology.
We exist to deliver speed, resilience, and technological independence at a pace that sets a new standard.
We are a small, elite team working on problems that matter, and solving them fast.
By joining Hypersonica, you’re not stepping into a predefined role.
You’re joining a talent dense environment where every individual shapes the direction of the company.
Our philosophy is to hire a small number of exceptional people with broad, deep technical capability, strong judgement, and the ability to operate autonomously.
We hire for talent, not rigid boxes.
This role represents a business need, but the way it evolves will be shaped by the individual.
If you’ve achieved what others said was impossible, or you bring a unique combination of skills that doesn’t fit a traditional mould, we want to hear from you.
The work you do here directly contributes to Europe’s technological independence.
- What You’ll Do
- Support the Government Affairs Director, UK, and Director of Communications across day-to-day priorities, research, coordination, briefings and execution.
- Maintain and improve the stakeholder engagement and tracking system across UK government, Parliament, local authorities, industry, advocates, allies and relevant third parties.
- Support stakeholder engagement required to secure and establish Hypersonica’s UK manufacturing presence.
- Help develop and execute local political engagement plans around UK site selection, manufacturing expansion and future operational milestones.
- Prepare high-quality briefing materials, stakeholder notes, meeting packs, follow-up documents and internal summaries for senior leaders.
- Research UK government departments, parliamentary activity, local authorities, defence stakeholders, political developments, policy announcements and industry movements relevant to Hypersonica.
- Support engagement with UK government departments, Parliament, local authorities, defence and military stakeholders as relationships develop from early projects into larger programmes.
- Help coordinate external events, meetings, site visits, private lunches, roundtables and senior stakeholder engagements.
- Support key communications and engagement moments, including UK footprint expansion announcements, contract awards, investment milestones and follow-on communications.
- Draft or support external-facing content, stakeholder communications, executive messaging, presentations and short written materials.
- Track outcomes and produce simple impact reporting across communications and government affairs activity.
- Provide practical coordination support to senior leaders, including some PA-style work where needed: scheduling, logistics, follow-ups, document preparation and stakeholder tracking.
- Work closely with Communications, Government Affairs, Business Development, Operations and senior leadership to keep messaging and engagement aligned.
Who You Are
- You have 2-4 years’ experience in at least one of the following areas: defence, public affairs, government relations, Parliament or political offices, communications, journalism, media relations or public policy.
- You have excellent written communication skills and can produce briefings, stakeholder notes, presentations and external-facing content quickly and clearly.
- You are highly organised and able to manage multiple competing priorities without losing detail.
- You are comfortable working across different types of work: research one hour, briefing notes the next, stakeholder tracking, event coordination, then comms content.
- You are comfortable supporting senior stakeholders and executives, including preparation, coordination and follow-up.
- You have strong judgement and understand the importance of discretion when dealing with sensitive topics, senior external stakeholders and national-security-adjacent work.
- You are interested in defence, national security, advanced technology, manufacturing and the role of sovereign European capability.
- You are not looking for a narrow comms role or a narrow government affairs role. You want breadth, exposure and responsibility.
- You are willing to cover practical coordination and PA-style work where needed.
Desirable
- Knowledge of UK government and parliamentary processes.
- Experience in a defence company, public affairs consultancy, communications agency, parliamentary office, trade association or policy environment.
- Experience supporting senior leaders with briefings, external engagement, stakeholder management or events.
- Experience producing written materials for government, policy, media, industry or executive audiences.
- Understanding of the UK defence ecosystem, MOD, Parliament, local government, industrial policy or national-security debates.
- Experience working in a fast-moving company where priorities change quickly.
What We Offer
- A mission-driven environment working on one of Europe’s most ambitious defence technology programmes.
- Direct exposure to senior leaders, government affairs, strategic communications and major company milestones.
- High ownership from day one, with real responsibility and visible impact.
- A fast-paced, technically rigorous environment where decisions are made quickly and execution matters.
- The chance to help shape how Hypersonica engages government, industry, media and strategic stakeholders as we scale UK operations.
- A culture built around clarity, integrity, high standards and practical problem solving.
- Competitive compensation, including share options.
- The opportunity to help build a sovereign European hypersonic capability at a pivotal stage of company growth.
- Security and eligibility
Due to the nature of the work with the UK MOD and government stakeholders, applicants must be eligible to work in the UK and able to meet relevant security requirements.
You must be eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC).
Hypersonica is an equal-opportunity employer and assesses candidates solely on merit, capability, and potential.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analysing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information.
These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment.
Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.
If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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Government Affairs & Communications Associate employer: Hypersonica
Hypersonica is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the defence technology sector. Employees benefit from competitive compensation, share options, and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, all while contributing to Europe's technological independence in a mission-driven environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Government Affairs & Communications Associate
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like Hypersonica, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
✨Join Relevant Networks
Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re freshly graduated or still studying, make the most of your university's careers service. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies like Hypersonica and can help you get your foot in the door for these full-time public sector roles.
✨Stay Updated with Government Initiatives
Keep your finger on the pulse regarding new government projects and policies. Understanding current initiatives can give you a leg up in interviews, showing that you are informed and genuinely interested in making a difference in the public sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Government Affairs & Communications Associate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Hypersonica and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hypersonica
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Hypersonica, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Hypersonica.