Head of Public Affairs

We are a global marketing agency that has gone from start-up to multi-national in little over two decades. Our success is due to a combination of factors: talented people delivering award-winning campaigns, expanding client relationships into new markets or services, and making strategic acquisitions. TEAM LEWIS has won many prestigious awards, including Cannes Lions, PRovoke Media, ICCO, European Excellence, PRCA Digital, Digital Impact, and Global Digital Excellence.

At the heart of the business is TEAM LEWIS Foundation. In January 2021, there was a need to respond to the challenges the COVID pandemic brought to communities and charitable organisations. TEAM LEWIS saw that support was crucial and change was needed to make that happen. Our local causes scheme was launched, allowing every member of TEAM LEWIS to nominate a local cause close to their heart to receive a cash donation. In addition, nominated causes can also benefit from a donation in kind of expertise, time, and resources. In the past year, TEAM LEWIS has donated almost $2 million to 445 causes around the world.

TEAM LEWIS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating and fostering an environment focused on equality, empowerment, and respect. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that supports and celebrates our diversity. We continue to invest in our efforts to ensure that TEAM LEWIS is a place where everyone can thrive.

Purpose of the role

The Head of Public Affairs’ remit is to drive the development of TEAM LEWIS’ Public Affairs offering across existing and new clients and sectors in the APAC region. They will act as the face of the service in the region, leading on marketing and selling the new practice to clients in markets across the region. They will also work closely with our Public Affairs teams in the UK to help cascade and grow clients internationally. The Head of Public Affairs will lead and/or play a significant role in new business credentials and pitches, and onboarding new client wins. The senior lead and sponsor on multi-market clients, bringing holistic thinking to tackling client briefs and problem-solving, pushing creative boundaries. Understanding the macro-economic, political, and cultural trends that clients face, the Head of Public Affairs' strategic and transformational insights will push clients to be braver and invest budget to break new communications ground. The role will champion client service excellence, retention, and profitability, as well as use existing and emerging technology to give us the edge over competitors and the ability to move faster and more efficiently. The Head of Public Affairs will be an active contributor to the success of the business. A notable presence, they will provide leadership and hands-on development of our people, encouraging different and more creative, innovative thinking about solutions.

Main responsibilities

• Develop and implement the plan to grow the Public Affairs practice; ensuring a strong grasp of the political landscape across the region and the impact this could have for clients, e.g. brand reputation, policy tracking, issues and crisis management, and consider the launch of new services and products to meet the needs of the market.
• Lead, or contribute to, credentials and pitches for prospects, developing the strategic insight, strategy, and messaging to drive conversion.
• Build relationships with senior prospect decision makers and key intermediaries and influencers across the region.
• Be the senior lead on APAC clients, ensuring continued excellence, profitable service, and delivery of results.
• Run executive Public Affairs programmes for senior clients.
• Help build a high calibre and motivated team: set strategic team objectives; work to maximise strengths and support career development.
• Interview key potential hires; help onboard and mentor these hires, setting them up for success.
• Provide senior counsel across the client base, applying strategic and innovative thinking to aid retention and expand our remit.
• Deliver excellent client communication; ensure that KPIs and service agreements are defined.
• Promote a culture of innovation and curiosity for continuous professional improvement.
• Lead on employee communications, contributing at meetings and attending socials.
• Run training sessions and work with colleagues and HR to evolve the training programme.
• Be a collaborative, encouraging, supportive member of the agency’s senior leadership team.

About you

Ambitious, dynamic, and positive, you have proven experience of leading and growing Public Affairs teams. Your network is strong across a variety of sectors. You have a track record of winning and retaining major accounts as well as driving organic growth from existing clients. A strategic thinker, you enjoy counselling c-suite clients and policymakers as well as devising stakeholder engagement campaigns that build trust and drive change. Mission-focused and commercial, you like to exceed goals, deliver results, and make a positive impact. An empathetic and charismatic leader, you know how to motivate a team. You relish business challenges and thrive on an international remit.

Additional requirements

• Strong knowledge of the marketing comms industry in APAC, as well as emerging trends and technologies, using this to inform strategy, direction, and investment.
• In-depth experience in corporate reputation, strategic positioning, and behavioural change campaigns, plus in issues and crisis management.
• Understanding of trends and issues impacting corporate reputations and complex stakeholder audiences; sustainability and environmental experience are a plus.
• Experience in B2B and the technology sector is helpful.
• The ability to speak multiple languages is helpful.
• High level of commercial acumen, including successful commercial management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to problem solve, project manage, prioritise, and multi-task.
• Integrity, humility, self-drive/initiative – and a sense of humour!

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the responsibilities for this role. Other responsibilities may be added from time to time.