Government Relations Lead in London

Rowden is a UK-headquartered industrial technology company building the next generation of operational edge systems. We combine hardware, software, and systems engineering to deliver critical technology for frontline organisations and critical industries operating in demanding and disconnected environments. We're one of Europe's fastest-growing companies, a strategic supplier to the UK Ministry of Defence, and backed by the National Wealth Fund. Our engineering and manufacturing capability is rooted in the UK, with a growing customer base and partnerships across Europe and North America. Our growth brings new opportunities and challenges across technology, industrial policy, investment, supply chains, talent, and international trade. We're looking to build on our established relationships with government and industry, strengthen our influence in the UK and overseas, and ensure our government affairs activity directly supports our commercial ambitions.

About the role

You'll lead Rowden's government affairs activity, helping us shape the policy and regulatory environment in which we operate, strengthen our relationships across government, and create the conditions for growth in the UK and internationally. You'll work directly with senior leadership, providing political intelligence and advice on developments across HMG, Parliament, and the wider policy environment. You'll need a strong understanding of how decisions are made across MOD, DBT, HMT, and the Cabinet Office, particularly where defence procurement, industrial policy, export controls, and regulation affect our business. We expect you to anticipate developments, understand their commercial implications, and recommend where Rowden should engage or act.

Your effectiveness will depend on how well you understand what Rowden builds and how we are different. While this role is externally focused, you'll spend significant time embedded with our commercial, delivery, engineering and product teams learning our technology capabilities and relevant programmes, so that every position, briefing, and conversation with government is targeted and grounded in what we actually deliver.

You'll build purposeful relationships with relevant ministers, officials, parliamentarians, select committees, trade advisers, and diplomatic networks. As we expand internationally, you'll help assess new markets, understand procurement and market access barriers, identify relevant government and industry stakeholders, and recommend practical routes to establishing our presence. You'll have the autonomy to build Rowden's government affairs capability and advise directly on decisions that matter to our future. We value sound judgement, intellectual rigour, and the ability to get things done, regardless of where you studied or whether you followed a conventional route into government affairs. Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.

Key areas of responsibility

• Build a deep understanding of Rowden’s capabilities and programmes, working closely with commercial, delivery, engineering and product teams, and translate this into a targeted, evidence-led engagement plan that supports our pipeline and delivery priorities.
• Identify and build strong relationships with officials, relevant MPs, mayors, select committee members, and trade bodies whose responsibilities align with our business priorities.
• Anticipate political, policy, and regulatory developments that could affect Rowden, and provide senior leadership with timely analysis, commercial implications, and recommendations that inform business decisions.
• Identify opportunities to influence relevant policy discussions, contributing evidence and practical recommendations from Rowden's engineering and operational delivery experience.
• Represent Rowden at parliamentary hearings, government events, and industry forums where there is a clear strategic purpose.
• Assess priority international markets, including procurement pathways, regulatory barriers, and potential partners. Develop evidence-based recommendations that help Rowden decide where to invest and how to enter new markets.
• Build relationships with UK trade advisers, British embassies and High Commissions, defence attachés, and relevant overseas government stakeholders, using these networks to improve market access and support international growth.
• Write impactful policy papers, parliamentary submissions, government briefings, and correspondence that advance Rowden's positions on issues affecting our business and the wider industrial base.
• Prepare Rowden's senior leadership for important government engagements, ensuring clear objectives, well-researched briefings, and effective follow-through. Support corporate presentations and other materials for senior government and industry audiences.

Key skills, experience and behaviours

• Political and commercial judgement. You understand how government works, how policy affects business, and where an organisation can credibly influence outcomes. You've advised senior decision-makers and can turn complex issues into clear recommendations.
• Intellectual curiosity. You can learn complex engineering and programme detail quickly to translate this into effective recommendations and actions. You enjoy working directly with commercial and delivery teams and getting hands on with technology.
• Exceptional writing and analytical skills. You can research an unfamiliar issue, evaluate evidence, develop a well-reasoned position, and produce compelling briefings and papers for senior audiences.
• Strong government affairs experience. You've worked in government relations, public policy, Parliament, or a related field, with a track record of developing engagement strategies and building relationships with government and political stakeholders.
• Initiative and independence. You stay informed, anticipate developments, and take ownership. You're comfortable managing competing priorities and challenging assumptions when necessary.
• Credibility and humility. You can engage confidently with senior officials and industry leaders without being impressed by titles or proximity to power. You listen carefully, recognise the expertise of others, and care more about achieving the right outcome than building your profile.

Useful experience

• Defence, national security, technology, industrial policy, or another highly regulated sector.
• Government procurement, export controls, international trade, or market access.
• Diplomatic networks, overseas trade teams, or international government engagement.
• Preparing parliamentary evidence, government consultation responses, or policy submissions.

Working at Rowden

We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are! We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible, hybrid-working model, with an average 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility, part-time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants. Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible. Finally, if you feel that you don’t meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience, we’d still love to hear from you!