Public Affairs & Advocacy Associate Director – Director (Head Of)

This global strategic communications and advocacy group are looking to hire a first-rate communications professional to lead their Manchester team. 

The role will see you lead their existing small team, work with existing clients within the property, energy, infrastructure and transport sectors and collaborate with the wider UK team.

You will also be responsible to the growth of the Manchester office in terms of its clients and team, with the full support and resources of the wider UK team.

They are open to the level of this appointment, it could be someone at an Associate Director level wanting to take the next step up to lead an office or it could be an existing MD/Director looking for a change and the opportunity to work in a global group who pride themselves for being a great place to work (in the Times best places to work), also certified as B-Corp, so practise what they preach.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives on winning new business, delivering strategic counsel to clients and leading and motivating a team.

Their people are at the heart of everything they do and their experience is so important to them. Their ambition is to create a working environment where everyone can thrive. They meet the ambition and drive of their people with the opportunities and support to build a successful career.

They are incredibly proud of the culture they have built and have recently been listed in The Sunday Times best places to work in 2023. We were also certified as B-Corp at the beginning of 2024, meaning we are part of a global community of businesses committed to high standards of social and environmental impact.

You will use your skills and experience in team leadership, strategic communications, and business development to:

• Head up a growing regional practice, focused mainly (but not exclusively) on community engagement in the property and energy, transport & infrastructure (eti) sectors.
• Develop and deliver industry leading programmes of stakeholder and community engagement, public consultation and local and national Public Affairs.
• Embed best practice within your team and commit to their professional development.
• Win new business by implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy.
• Support the growth of the agency through close collaboration with colleagues across our locations in Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff, Chelmsford, and our Head office in London.

Ideal for you if you:

• Have good experience of delivering complex consultation programmes and evidence of achieving planning consents for clients.
• Have worked on eti projects, including NSIPs and the DCO process.
• Can demonstrate management of a sizeable client portfolio.
• Have experience of leading a team – we already have very capable people in place to work with you.
• Have a proven ability to think strategically, to manage projects and workstreams and to deliver client-ready documents and events.
• Have a burgeoning network of client, sector, stakeholder and media contacts which will continue to grow.
• Can demonstrate experience of managing media relations, particularly as part of a communications campaign.

Package includes:  

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid working – average is 2/3 office, but they are not prescriptive about this.
• Flexible working hours, with core hours from 10am -4pm.
• 30 days annual leave (plus BH) with the option to buy some, plus an additional day off for your birthday and an additional charity day off.
• Annual bonus based on the company PNL performance
• Contributory pension
• Access to Oliva, our mental health support platform and up to ten therapy or coaching session per year.
• Private medical insurance and employee assistance programme from day one.
• The ability to work remotely for up to four weeks in one year.
• Training and internal mentorship programme.