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- Tasks: Lead a team to shape and implement external affairs strategy during a crucial election year.
- Company: Join The Guinness Partnership, a key player in social housing with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with flexible working options in central London.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in social housing while building valuable relationships and influencing policy.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education and experience in influencing within the political system required.
- Other info: This is a fixed-term role from April to December, perfect for those ready to hit the ground running.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, interim Head of External Affairs to provide fixed term cover from April – December . This is a full-time vacancy with two days a week based in Guinness’s central London office.
Reporting into the Director of Strategy and Policy, you will work to implement and shape Guinness’s external affairs strategy in this crucial election year. Taking responsibility for a small in house team of external affairs professionals, you will guide their work to help enhance Guinness’s external profile and reputation through strategic stakeholder engagement, horizon scanning and intelligence sharing, and collaboration across the sector to secure positive outcomes for Guinness and social housing.
You’ll be a confident communicator with a strong understanding of influencing. You will be practised at building relationships with our key MPs and local authorities. Your knowledge of housing will help you to produce effective, evidence-based consultation responses and briefings.
Your key responsibilities will include managing environmental and horizon scanning activities, ensuring short, medium and long-term strategic challenges are anticipated and relevant colleagues are engaged and informed. You’ll be expected to represent Guinness at external events and to help influence policy outcomes for social housing. You’ll work with the Director to manage a wide range of relationships with relevant sector bodies and groups, always looking for opportunities to add our voice in areas where we have strong knowledge and expertise.
What we’re looking for
We know that how we do things is just as important as what we do, so you’ll not only be highly self-motivated with the rigour to pursue goals, but you’ll also be a confident collaborator, networker and relationship builder with a willingness to go the extra mile to get the job done. You’ll be an excellent, engaging leader of your team.
You’ll be able to demonstrate:
Essential:
Desirable:
Essential qualifications:
Interim Head of External Affairs employer: The Guinness Partnership
Contact Detail:
The Guinness Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Head of External Affairs
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the housing and external affairs sectors. Attend relevant events, seminars, or webinars where you can meet key stakeholders and influencers. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to recommendations.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with current housing policies and the political landscape in the UK. Understanding the latest developments will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment and knowledge of the sector.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in influencing and lobbying. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully built relationships with MPs or local authorities, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing how you've managed teams in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate and guide a team towards achieving strategic goals, as this is a key aspect of the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of External Affairs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in external affairs, influencing, and stakeholder engagement. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage relationships effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Clearly outline how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities of the Interim Head of External Affairs position, particularly your knowledge of housing policy.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent written and oral communication skills are crucial for this role, include examples of impactful reports, briefings, or presentations you have created in the past. This will demonstrate your capability to produce high-quality documentation.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Emphasise your leadership experience in managing teams and delivering results. Provide specific instances where you successfully led a project or initiative, showcasing your ability to motivate and engage your team.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Guinness Partnership
✨Showcase Your Influencing Skills
Given the role's emphasis on influencing and lobbying, be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've successfully influenced stakeholders or policy outcomes. Highlight your understanding of the British political system and how you've navigated it in past roles.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership
As a leader of a small team, it's crucial to convey your leadership style. Share experiences that illustrate how you've motivated and guided teams to achieve results, especially in high-pressure situations or during transitional periods.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
The role involves strategic stakeholder engagement and horizon scanning. Be ready to discuss your approach to identifying and addressing short, medium, and long-term challenges in external affairs, particularly in the context of social housing.
✨Communicate Effectively
Excellent communication skills are vital for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, whether in written form or during verbal discussions. Prepare to present a brief report or briefing as part of your interview to showcase your writing abilities.
