Senior Public Affairs Advisor

We have a rewarding opportunity for a Senior Public Affairs Advisor to play a leading role in delivering engagement activities with political stakeholders, to provide advice and develop policy that helps the company meets its strategic objectives.
You will be responsible for maintaining relationships with and resolving queries from stakeholders in Westminster, Whitehall and City Hall including officials, MPs, Peers and Assembly Members. You will provide intelligence, advice, briefings and political insights. A key element of this role will be developing policy and campaigns that align with the company’s communications strategy and strategic objectives.  

What you will be doing as Senior Public Affairs Advisor
Campaigns - In partnership with colleagues across the business, help prepare carefully targeted engagement plans to advance the company’s positions
Relationship management - Build strong relationships with influential stakeholders, improving the company’s reputation and its ability to influence policy and legislation.  Represent the company in discussions with key stakeholders. Resolve stakeholder queries, including enquiries from MPs.  

Policy development - Develop impactful policy proposals that support corporate priorities. Work with colleagues to respond to consultations and understand the impact of legislation and government policy proposals. Develop a body of evidence and data to ensure that the needs for policy changes are well evidenced.    

Supporting Senior Business Leaders - Provide timely and accurate briefings for colleagues, including directors and senior leaders and support senior meetings meeting external stakeholders.  Provide advice and guidance to colleagues across the business, acting as an advocate for stakeholders’ interests.

Monitoring and Reporting - Monitor, analyse and communicate intelligence on legislative, policy and political developments

What you should bring to the role
Essential -

• Experience of engaging political stakeholders, particularly MPs and civil servants.
• Skilled in advising and briefing colleagues on Parliamentary and political developments and their implications.
• Thorough understanding of Westminster and Parliamentary processes, the working of MPs offices and their staff and the role of Government departments, as well as the wider political environment.
• Experience of working on successful campaigns and / or policy development, securing political support and / or changes in approach.
• A skilled written communicator, able to work in different styles for different channels and audience.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, and a readiness and ability to challenge accepted views.
• Capable of working effectively with colleagues and stakeholders from different disciplines and at all levels.

Desirable -

• Operating in a high profile and contentious political, media and regulatory landscape.
• Working in or with a water company or in a comparable field, such as another utility.
• Wider corporate experience in a related field, such as media relations or digital.

What’s in it for you? 
An opportunity to join a company that offers its employees a rewarding career path, allowing individuals to reach their full potential.

• Competitive salary from £36,320 - £46,320 per annum depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of your and your family’s health and well-being, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.