Head of Policy & Public Affairs

Hybrid working – 1–2 days per week in South West London office

12 Month Maternity Cover

An influential professional membership organisation is seeking an experienced Head of Policy and Public Affairs to help shape its policy positions, strengthen its political influence and ensure its members remain informed about important legislative and regulatory developments.

Working within a small, collaborative team, you will lead policy and public affairs activity across the full cycle: monitoring legislation, developing policy positions, producing consultation responses and parliamentary briefings, building relationships across Westminster and communicating complex developments clearly to members.

This is a varied, hands‑on position requiring someone equally comfortable drafting detailed policy materials, meeting parliamentarians and officials, briefing external agencies and presenting confidently to members at meetings, webinars and events. You will also have line management responsibility for two direct reports.

• Monitor relevant political, legislative and regulatory developments and identify opportunities to influence policy.
• Promote the organisation’s policy proposals to parliamentarians, government officials, regulators and other key stakeholders.
• Lead the development of responses to government consultations, drawing upon internal expertise and member insight.
• Produce high-quality parliamentary briefings, stakeholder materials, member bulletins, website content and policy updates.
• Translate complex legislation and technical policy developments into clear, accessible communications for different audiences.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with MPs, Peers, civil servants, ministerial offices, regulators, trade bodies and think tanks.
• Present policy and legislative updates to members through round tables, webinars, meetings and in‑person events.
• Lead the organisation’s presence at party conferences and other significant political and industry events.
• Manage stakeholder mapping, segmentation and relationship tracking, proactively identifying opportunities for engagement.
• Work closely with external public affairs and communications agencies, providing clear briefs and overseeing delivery.
• Collaborate with marketing, communications and events colleagues to promote policy priorities, campaigns and achievements.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of policy and public affairs activity, reporting against agreed objectives.
• Lead, support and develop two direct reports.

• Demonstrable experience in policy, public affairs or political engagement, ideally gained within a membership body, trade association, professional body or comparable organisation.
• Strong understanding of the UK political system, Westminster and the legislative process.
• Experience monitoring Bills and engaging effectively with Parliament and Government.
• Excellent written communication skills, with experience producing consultation responses, parliamentary briefings, policy reports and member communications.
• Confident verbal communication and presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex issues to professional audiences.
• Proven ability to absorb detailed technical information quickly and translate it into clear, accessible language.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship‑building skills, with the credibility to represent an organisation externally.
• Experience managing, supporting and developing team members.
• The ability to work at pace within a fast‑moving political and legislative environment.
• A collaborative, flexible approach and willingness to contribute across a small team.

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