Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategy and communications for the Scotch Whisky Association, engaging with key political stakeholders.
- Company: Join a prestigious association representing Scotland's iconic whisky industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, private medical insurance, and wellbeing initiatives.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Scotland's largest food and drink export in a high-profile role.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in public affairs, strong relationship-building skills, and strategic thinking.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on inclusion and professional development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: London (Westminster) – Hybrid, with a strong on-site presence aligned to parliamentary business.
Salary: £89,548 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week (full-time)
The Role
We are seeking an outstanding Deputy Director of Strategy and Communications to join the Scotch Whisky Association at a pivotal moment for the industry. Reporting to the Director of Strategy and Communications, this is a high-profile role at the centre of our engagement with SWA member companies and political stakeholders. You will help shape and deliver our strategy and communications activity, building influential relationships across Westminster, Whitehall, and the devolved administrations. Working across the political spectrum, you will ensure our members' priorities are clearly understood and effectively represented.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver SWA's political engagement strategy, positioning the Scotch Whisky industry with senior stakeholders across Government and Parliament.
- Build and maintain influential relationships with Ministers, officials, Special Advisers, and other key stakeholders across the UK and devolved administrations, supporting SWA's ability to influence policy and public debate.
- Manage, motivate, and develop a high-performing team, ensuring effective knowledge-sharing and supporting the development of junior colleagues.
- Anticipate and manage political and reputational risks, advising the Director, CEO, senior colleagues, and member companies on implications, options, and recommended actions.
- Foster strong collaboration across SWA and member companies, drawing on internal and external expertise to advance political engagement priorities and deliver shared objectives.
- Work closely with communications colleagues to align political engagement with external messaging, ensuring clear and consistent positioning.
About You
- Significant senior experience in public affairs and government relations, ideally in a complex and politically sensitive environment.
- Proven track record of shaping and delivering high-profile political engagement, with responsibility for strategy, messaging, and delivery.
- Sophisticated understanding of UK government, Parliament, and the wider political and economic context, and how industry engages effectively on key issues.
- Exceptional relationship-builder, able to cultivate and sustain senior-level contacts across politics, industry, and stakeholder organisations.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term positioning with responsive, tactical interventions.
- Strong judgement under pressure, including experience advising senior leaders on political and reputational risk.
- Line management experience, including managing budgets and resources.
- Demonstrable experience translating complex policy issues into clear, persuasive narratives for diverse audiences.
- Experience of membership organisations is useful but not essential.
How we work
Inclusion matters to us. We operate hybrid working and flexitime, and we welcome open conversations about what works best for you. This is a London-based role, and you will be expected to spend substantial time in our Westminster office. Due to the nature of this role, there is also a requirement for regular in-person working aligned to parliamentary business, including engagement in London and Scotland. This may involve periods of increased travel and a higher level of on-site attendance than is typical for some other roles.
What's on offer
The opportunity to shape and deliver a high-profile agenda for one of Scotland's most iconic industries which is the UK's largest food and drink export. Competitive salary and benefits, including:
- Employer pension contributions up to 15%
- Private medical insurance (subject to eligibility/qualifying period)
- Life assurance
- Group income protection.
- Monthly wellbeing allowance
- Wellbeing initiatives, plus engagement and activity days throughout the year
- CPD days and professional development opportunities
- Cycle to Work scheme.
How to apply
Please email the following documents to hr@swa.org.uk. Please attach each document as a separate file in Microsoft Word format; applications will be redacted in line with our recruitment procedures.
- Your CV
- A one-page covering letter outlining your suitability for the role and how you meet the person specification (maximum 500 words)
Closing date: 5:00pm, Thursday 29 January 2026. We anticipate a high volume of applications and may close early; if so, we will not close applications before 12:00pm, Friday 23 January.
We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We want every colleague to feel included, valued, and respected. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, and we particularly encourage applications from groups that are under-represented in our organisation and in the wider sector. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Deputy Director, Strategy and Communications in London employer: SCOTCH WHISKY ASSOCIATION
Contact Detail:
SCOTCH WHISKY ASSOCIATION Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Director, Strategy and Communications in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. Building those relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its current challenges. Understand their strategy and communications needs, especially in relation to political engagement. This will help you tailor your responses and show you’re genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role. Think about specific examples where you’ve successfully influenced policy or built relationships with key stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Director, Strategy and Communications in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Deputy Director role. Highlight your experience in public affairs and government relations, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Be specific about how your skills and experiences meet the requirements outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills: Since this role involves building influential relationships, make sure to include examples of how you've successfully cultivated connections in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to engage with key stakeholders.
Follow Application Instructions: Don’t forget to follow the application instructions carefully! Send your CV and cover letter as separate Microsoft Word files to hr@swa.org.uk. We want to see your attention to detail right from the start!
How to prepare for a job interview at SCOTCH WHISKY ASSOCIATION
✨Know Your Stakeholders
Before the interview, research the key stakeholders in the Scotch Whisky Association and their roles within government and parliament. Understanding who you’ll be engaging with will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs and priorities.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to develop and deliver political engagement strategies. Be ready to discuss specific instances where your strategic thinking led to successful outcomes, especially in politically sensitive environments.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since relationship-building is crucial for this role, practice establishing rapport during the interview. Use active listening and engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about their experiences and perspectives on the industry.
✨Communicate Clearly and Persuasively
Given the need to translate complex policy issues into clear narratives, practice articulating your thoughts succinctly. Prepare to explain how you would communicate the Scotch Whisky industry's priorities to diverse audiences, showcasing your communication skills.
