Head of Public Affairs

Head of Public Affairs

Reading Full-Time 48000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
S

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead public affairs and PR strategies, engaging with media and government stakeholders.
  • Company: Join an innovative digital infrastructure provider focused on growth and employee engagement.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, private health, and flexible remote work options.
  • Why this job: Shape impactful campaigns in a fast-paced industry while influencing public policy.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in public affairs or PR, ideally in regulated sectors like telecoms.
  • Other info: Spotlight Recruitment values diversity and inclusivity, welcoming all applicants.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 80000 £ per year.

Our client is an innovative digital infrastructure provider, with a focused approach to growth and employee engagement. As they scale their solutions and accelerate growth, they’re building a bold and dynamic brand and marketing function and are now hiring a Senior Manager, Public Affairs and PR to help shape and protect reputation at the highest level. This role is based in Reading 2-3 days and the rest can be remote.

Benefits include 30 days holiday (can buy 5 more), private health, medical and a wide range of others. With hybrid working, generous leave and wellbeing support, this is a brilliant opportunity to take ownership of integrated campaigns, influence public policy, and drive strategic visibility in a fast-paced, regulated industry.

As Senior Manager, Public Affairs and PR, you’ll lead on all external public sector engagement from media relations and government communications to stakeholder lobbying and industry representation. Reporting to the Chief Customer Officer, you’ll work cross-functionally with legal, planning, sales and senior leadership to defend market position, influence infrastructure policy, and create compelling content that drives awareness and impact across digital, government and press channels.

Leading on PR and Public Affairs, you’ll represent the business across relevant industry bodies and working groups, helping to influence sector legislation and planning frameworks in line with organisational priorities. You’ll also collaborate with customers’ public affairs teams to support strategic access to senior government and parliamentary contacts.

If you’re confident influencing across Whitehall and Westminster, adept at managing reputation in regulated environments, and passionate about digital infrastructure, this role is for you.

What do I need?

  • Extensive experience in public affairs, corporate comms or PR roles, ideally within telecoms, infrastructure, energy or a regulated sector
  • Client-side experience leading strategy and campaign delivery at a senior level
  • Proven track record influencing policy, defending licence to operate, and managing complex stakeholder engagement
  • Deep understanding of how UK government operates, including local authorities, devolved administrations and infrastructure planning
  • Exceptional copywriting and content creation skills across thought leadership, press and digital
  • Strong relationships or the ability to build them quickly across media, policymakers and industry
  • Commercial awareness and confidence advising senior leadership on reputation and public affairs risk
  • Degree or equivalent experience in Communications, Marketing, Politics or a related field

If you’re a strategic communicator with experience managing high-stakes public affairs in a complex environment, whether in a Head of Public Affairs, Corporate Affairs Lead or Senior PR Manager role, apply now for immediate consideration.

Head of Public Affairs employer: Spotlight Recruitment

As an innovative digital infrastructure provider, our client offers a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee engagement and growth. With a generous benefits package including 30 days of holiday, private health care, and the flexibility of hybrid working, this role in Reading presents a unique opportunity to influence public policy and drive strategic visibility in a fast-paced environment. Join a team that values diversity and inclusivity, ensuring every employee feels they belong and can thrive.
S

Contact Detail:

Spotlight Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Public Affairs

✨Tip Number 1

Network strategically within the public affairs and PR sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, and conferences where you can meet key players in digital infrastructure and public policy. Building relationships with professionals in these areas can give you insights and potentially lead to referrals.

✨Tip Number 2

Stay updated on current trends and changes in UK government policies related to digital infrastructure. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment and understanding of the sector's challenges and opportunities.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've influenced policy or managed stakeholder engagement in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, showcasing your strategic thinking and impact.

✨Tip Number 4

Familiarise yourself with the company’s brand and recent initiatives. Understanding their mission and values will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how your experience aligns with their goals, making you a more attractive candidate.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Public Affairs

Public Affairs Expertise
Corporate Communications
Media Relations
Stakeholder Engagement
Government Relations
Policy Influence
Strategic Campaign Management
Content Creation
Copywriting Skills
Understanding of UK Government Operations
Relationship Building
Commercial Awareness
Advisory Skills for Senior Leadership
Experience in Regulated Sectors

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in public affairs, corporate communications, or PR roles. Focus on relevant achievements in telecoms, infrastructure, or regulated sectors to align with the job requirements.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your strategic communication skills and your ability to influence policy. Mention specific examples of how you've managed high-stakes public affairs and built relationships with policymakers.

Showcase Your Copywriting Skills: Include samples of your copywriting and content creation work, especially in thought leadership, press releases, or digital content. This will demonstrate your exceptional writing abilities, which are crucial for this role.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you mention your degree or equivalent experience in Communications, Marketing, Politics, or a related field. This will help establish your credibility and suitability for the position.

How to prepare for a job interview at Spotlight Recruitment

✨Research the Company and Industry

Before your interview, make sure to thoroughly research the digital infrastructure sector and the specific company. Understand their recent projects, challenges, and how they position themselves in the market. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Given the nature of the role, expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to handle complex stakeholder engagement and public affairs challenges. Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully influenced policy or managed reputation in a regulated environment.

✨Showcase Your Copywriting Skills

As exceptional copywriting is a key requirement, be ready to discuss your writing process and provide samples of your work. Highlight any thought leadership pieces or press releases you've crafted, and explain how they contributed to your previous organisations' public affairs strategies.

✨Demonstrate Your Relationship-Building Abilities

The role requires strong relationships with media, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss how you've built and maintained these relationships in the past. Share specific examples of how these connections have helped you achieve strategic goals or navigate challenges.

S
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>