Associate Director

Salary: Upwards of £65,000 per annum based on experience

Contract: Permanent

Role overview

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced public affairs practitioner to join our EU and UK Public Affairs team. As an Associate Director, you will play a pivotal role in helping us grow and drive the success of our clients’ public affairs strategies by ensuring the delivery of high-quality services. This is an internal and external leadership role, as well as client facing, that would suit an individual who enjoys growing a business, winning new clients and building relationships with stakeholders at all levels. We care deeply about our team and are looking for an individual who will embrace our management style based on a supportive culture and who will get on board with our mission to remain an effective and positive influence in the world of public affairs.

Essential requirements (must-haves)

• Proven track record of developing and delivering successful public affairs strategies.
• Experience working in a public affairs agency at mid to senior level.
• Demonstrable understanding of and experience engaging in the EU’s policy and political landscape.
• Proven track record generating new business and expanding existing client contracts.
• Experience managing and leading a team, with the ability to inspire, motivate and mentor.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of building relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities and pro-active attitude.
• Excellent spoken and written English (native-speaker level or equivalent).

Desirable requirements (nice-to-haves)

• A policy specialism in food and/or health policy.
• Understanding of and experience engaging in the UK’s policy landscape.
• Experience in regulatory affairs.
• Experience in trade associations.

Core competencies:

• Strategic leadership: Devise and execute effective EU public affairs and advocacy strategies and provide strategic counsel on policy trends, impactful messaging and effective stakeholder engagement. Cultivate strong connections and build trust with policymakers, government officials, industry representatives and journalists.
• Business growth: Take a proactive approach in contributing to the growth of the business through active networking and leading on new business proposals and pitches. Stay ahead of industry trends to position the agency as leaders in the space.
• Client servicing: Serve as the senior point of contact for clients, helping account managers and account directors maintain and deepen relationships, anticipate client needs and proactively offer solutions and opportunities. Ensure client satisfaction through the team’s consistent, high-quality service delivery. Conduct regular reviews of account and project performance, identifying areas for improvement and cost optimisation.
• Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of talented professionals, providing guidance, support, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment that encourages excellence and accountability.
• Brand ambassadorship: Contribute to the agency’s thought leadership by producing internal and external articles, contributing quotes to the media and participating in industry forums and events. Represent our company with pride, both internally and externally.

Compensation and Benefits

• 25 days holiday + 1 additional day per each year of service until reaching 30-day limit;
• Birthday off;
• 1 month paid sabbatical after 5 years of service;
• Generous new business bonus scheme;
• Pension scheme;
• Private medical insurance;
• Hybrid working arrangement (1 mandatory day per week in our very enviable offices in Central London, the other 4 voluntary);
• Up to 35 days of overseas work per year;
• Bi-annual reviews focusing on personal development;
• Investment in personal growth: hands-on internal training from public relations and public affairs colleagues and opportunities for external training;
• Fortnightly Deliveroo allowance;
• Cycle-to-work scheme;
• Free eye tests;
• A great team ethos and social life.

About us

Whitehouse Communications is an independent issues-led political communications agency based in London, specialising in public affairs, policy analysis, media relations and crises communications. We advise clients on how to effectively and positively engage with key decision-makers in Brussels, Westminster, Whitehall, and local government.

How to apply

If you are passionate about public affairs in the EU and the UK, and you meet the requirements described above, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV and a cover letter by Monday 10 November to the attention of Chris Whitehouse at recruitment@whitehousecomms.com explaining how you meet the essential requirements for this role and why you’re passionate about the opportunity to join us. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so we encourage applicants to submit their CV and cover letter as soon as possible. The first round of interviews will be conducted online with a second round taking place in person in our London offices.

Equal opportunities statement

We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and to make full use of the talents and resources of all employees and to provide a healthy environment that will encourage good and productive working operations within the organisation. You and any job applicant will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.