Head of Public Affairs

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is the trade association for UK retail. The industry is diverse, dynamic and includes retail brands, brand manufacturers who sell direct to consumers, and covers many innovative business models, from in-store and digital to rental, repair and re-use.

Retail is the ‘everywhere economy’, a vital part of the socio-economic fabric of the UK. It’s 5% of GDP, our largest private sector employer with 3 million direct jobs and 2.7 million more in the supply chain and through its scale and reach, helps support delivery of government policy.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead public affairs for one of the UK's most influential trade associations at a time when retail sits at the heart of the UK's economic, political and social agenda.

Working as a member of the Corporate Affairs leadership team alongside the Corporate Affairs Director, you’ll shape and deliver the BRC’s engagement with government, Parliament and political stakeholders, ensuring the voice of retail is heard where it matters most.

As BRC's Head of Public Affairs, you will be responsible for:

• Political Leadership; Lead the BRC's engagement with ministers, parliamentarians, special advisers, officials and political stakeholders across government.
• Public Affairs and Campaigns; Design and deliver integrated public affairs campaigns around the industry's highest strategic priorities.
• Strategic Stakeholder Engagement; Work closely with member organisations to ensure advocacy reflects their priorities while advancing the interests of the wider sector.
• Corporate Affairs Leadership; Act as a key member of the Corporate Affairs leadership team, contributing to wider strategic priorities beyond public affairs.
• Leadership; Lead, coach and develop members of the Public Affairs team, creating an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture.

The ideal role holder will be:

• Significant experience leading public affairs or government relations engagement at a senior level.
• Strong understanding of Westminster, Whitehall and UK political processes.
• Demonstrable success influencing government policy and building senior stakeholder relationships.
• Experience designing and delivering successful public affairs or advocacy campaigns.
• Ability to translate complex policy into persuasive external communications.
• Experience advising senior leaders on political strategy and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience, with eligibility for annual bonus.
• Benefits include private health and dental insurance, pension contributions and the availability of season ticket loans.

We are an equal opportunities recruitment partner and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of background.

We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive environment where employees can lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Our wellbeing offerings include:

• Access to mental health professionals and subsidised private healthcare
• Dental cash plan and Medi-cash plan
• £35 per month contribution toward gym membership
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with 24/7 counselling and specialist support
• Menopause and the Workplace Programme

26 days of annual leave, plus a discretionary Christmas day off and volunteer days.

Enhanced statutory pay for eligible colleagues, with a focus on family-friendly policies.

Diversity is embedded in everything we do — it’s natural and authentic to who we are as an organisation. We celebrate individuality, embrace inclusivity, and create a culture where everyone feels comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. Here, differences aren’t just welcomed — they’re encouraged, valued, and celebrated every day.

We are committed to accessible recruitment. Please let us know if you require reasonable adjustments for interviews, such as:

• Additional time for assessments
• Written questions in various formats

Our salaries are benchmarked against similar organisations, with a competitive pay structure and a discretionary corporate bonus scheme based on company performance.

• Private Pension Scheme with salary sacrifice option
• Life Assurance:
  Cover of 4x annual salary
• Season Ticket Loan
• Cycle to Work Scheme

We believe in nurturing our team’s growth and helping you reach your potential. Here’s how we invest in your career:

• Graduate Programme: 2 years programme focusing on Policy and Corporate Affairs
• Training Programmes:
  Access to workshops, certifications, and development resources
• Career Pathing:
  Career development plans and mentorship programs.
• Internal Mobility:
  Opportunities to explore different roles or career tracks within the company