Policy and Public Affairs Manager

UK Bioindustry Association

Policy and Public Affairs Manager

Salary: circa GBP40,000 per annum

MAIN PURPOSES OF THIS JOB

This role will lead our work to support innovative life science and biotech start-ups and scale-up companies by shaping Government Policy and promoting the sector to investors.

It is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious self-starter to make a big impact working across government, the life sciences industry and investment community. The holder will develop and deliver a comprehensive programme of work including supporting the UK Government's Life Sciences Investment Envoy, who is currently also the BIA's Chair, and providing the secretariat to our Finance and Tax Advisory Committee. This will involve close collaborative working with civil servants, CEOs and CFOs from member companies and key investors.

In this role, you will be helping deliver the next generation of medicines and other biology-driven technologies to solve global challenges, from disease, to hunger, to climate change. You will be at the heart of a world-leading industry that is recognised by both the Government and the Labour Party has key to Britain's economic future.

The BIA has just won a prestigious PRCA Public Affairs Award for its in-house campaign to secure a U-turn from the Chancellor. If you want to become part of this impactful, respected and award-winning team, read on and apply below.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy

• Monitor, evaluate and communicate government and parliamentary announcements and activity regarding innovation, investment, finance and tax issues relevant to life sciences SMEs
• Work with BIA colleagues, members and external consultants to develop sector positions on innovation, investment, finance and tax policies, and produce a strong evidence base to support advocacy

• Provide the Secretariat to the BIA Finance and Tax Advisory Committee and other member/stakeholder meetings, preparing agendas and papers, and producing minutes
• Working with the Associate Director: Policy, Public Affairs and Investor Relations, support the development of new policy initiatives to increase investment in life sciences and biotech

Public affairs

• Support the work of the UK Government's Life Sciences Investment Envoy, working with civil servants to link government and BIA activities
• Develop and deliver effective engagement campaigns to influence political, civil service and financial services stakeholders
• Use matrix management to deliver the strategy through joined-up BIA activities across policy, events and communications

Events

• Deliver a programme of BIA events that raise investors' understanding and interest in the sector and provide networking opportunities for BIA members with investors
• Lead on the BIA's co-organised events with strategic partners, such as the Office for Life Sciences, Department for Business and Trade, the Office for Investment, the British Business Bank, London Stock Exchange, and others

Communications

• Working with BIA colleagues, help develop online (website and social media) content to make the BIA the go-to organisation for domestic and foreign investors wanting to understand and connect with the UK life sciences and biotech sector
• Working with BIA colleagues and external data providers, support the production of authoritative and impactful reports to promote investment in and understanding of the sector
• Working with BIA colleagues to build and manage CFO and investor communities

As a small organisation, flexibility is a key value all members of the team need to work to. As such the above duties and responsibility are subject to change as informed by needs of the team, organisation and changes in the external environment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Strong interest in and a good understanding of one or more of the following: UK Government and Parliament; the life sciences and biotech industry; or investment, finance or tax
• Persuasive communication skills adaptable for a variety of audiences
• Excellent written skills with an ability to grasp complex issues quickly and how to distil these for a variety of external audiences
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrative ability to develop good working relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Proven project management skills to drive projects through from conception to output
• Collaborative team-player who is flexible to changing business needs and supports colleagues effectively
• Ability to represent the BIA and its members in person and through oral and written communication

Desirable

• Experience working in or with government
• Investor or press communications experience
• Event management experience
• Understanding of how financial issues link with wider sector issues (e.g. healthcare, innovation, science and the business environment)

If you are interested in applying for the position, please can you submit your CV and a covering letter outlining why you feel you are suitable for the role, including your current salary and salary expectations.

Applications should be submitted via email to: Nick Gardiner via the application button.

Applications should be submitted by no later than:11:59pm on Friday 23rd February 2024.