At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape national advocacy strategies to influence policy and public debate.
- Company: Join Water UK, a key player in the water sector with a strong advocacy focus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and exposure to senior political figures.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national policy while working with industry leaders.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in advocacy or government relations, with strong political judgement.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Water UK is looking to recruit a Head of Advocacy, a high-profile leadership role with responsibility for shaping and delivering our national advocacy strategy. Reporting to the Director of Public Affairs, the role sits at the heart of a rapidly growing, influential team and offers regular exposure to senior political figures, CEOs and FTSE-level industry leaders.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Water UK’s advocacy strategy, shaping and delivering campaigns that influence national policy and public debate.
- Provide high-quality briefings for senior stakeholders, and represent Water UK externally, including at party conferences, parliamentary meetings and senior stakeholder roundtables.
- Work closely with the CEO, Director of Public Affairs and Head of Public Affairs to ensure advocacy activity aligns with organisational priorities, and collaborate across teams to deliver consistent messaging and strategy.
- Line-manage and develop an Advocacy Manager contributing to a high-performance culture.
Key Skills & Experience Required
- Significant experience in advocacy, government relations or similar senior political roles, with a proven track record of shaping and delivering advocacy or influencing strategies.
- Strong political judgement and deep understanding of UK parliamentary processes, with prior knowledge of the water, environmental or infrastructure sectors being desirable (but not essential).
- Confident working with senior internal and external stakeholders at the highest level, with the ability to handle high expectations.
- Line management or team leadership experience is highly desirable.
To apply
We have partnered with Ellwood Atfield on the appointment of this role. If this role is of interest, please apply with your CV and Covering Letter via the link below - we welcome early applications.
Head of Advocacy employer: Water UK
Contact Detail:
Water UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Advocacy
✨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. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its advocacy strategies. Understand their recent campaigns and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you’re genuinely interested and can hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your vision for advocacy and how you can contribute to Water UK’s mission. Keep it concise but impactful – think of it as your personal brand statement that highlights your strengths.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, get your CV and cover letter polished and hit that apply button!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Advocacy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Advocacy role. Highlight your experience in advocacy and government relations, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant achievements that align with Water UK's mission.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your skills can help shape Water UK's advocacy strategy. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Political Savvy: Since this role involves working with senior political figures, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of UK parliamentary processes. Share examples of how you've influenced policy or public debate in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Water UK
✨Know Your Advocacy Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the current advocacy landscape, especially in relation to water and environmental issues. Research Water UK's previous campaigns and be ready to discuss how you would shape their national advocacy strategy.
✨Prepare for High-Level Conversations
Since this role involves interacting with senior political figures and industry leaders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare examples of how you've influenced policy or public debate in the past, as these will showcase your experience effectively.
✨Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills
Be ready to discuss your line management experience and how you've developed high-performance cultures in your teams. Think of specific instances where you’ve successfully led a team through challenges or achieved significant outcomes.
✨Align with Organisational Priorities
Understand Water UK's mission and values, and think about how your advocacy strategies can align with their organisational goals. Be prepared to discuss how you would collaborate with the CEO and other stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging.