Job Description
We're looking for an External Affairs Manager to help strengthen our reputation, deepen our stakeholder relationships, and ensure our voice shapes the national conversation on housing and social impact. If you're politically astute, energised by stakeholder engagement, and passionate about making a meaningful difference, this is your opportunity to be right at the heart of a major organisational transformation. This is a role with real influence and visibility-your work will directly support the mission to become a truly resident-focused organisation.
What you'll be doing
- Lead public affairs and stakeholder engagement programme, ensuring that MPs, Councillors, London Assembly Members and other key influencers are informed, engaged and inspired by our work.
- Build trusted relationships with political stakeholders, acting as a credible, proactive and responsive partner.
- Monitor the political environment and provide expert political insight, risk assessment and strategic briefings to senior leaders.
- Shape policy positions that clearly articulate priorities and social purpose.
- Work closely with colleagues across our Corporate Affairs and operational teams to ensure we respond to casework effectively and show up brilliantly for all stakeholders.
- Support media and incident responses when needed and contribute to the out-of-hours rota.
- Represent the organisation within key sector networks, ensuring we remain an active and collaborative voice.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the below:
- Experienced in public affairs, government relations or political engagement, ideally in a complex or regulated environment.
- Politically aware, with a strong understanding of the UK political landscape.
- A clear, confident communicator able to brief, influence and advise senior leaders.
- Experienced in stakeholder engagement for a range of stakeholders at various levels
- Skilled in managing casework, preparing political briefings and translating developments into actionable business insights.
- Highly organised, collaborative and motivated by social purpose.
- A strategic thinker with excellent judgment and the ability to anticipate reputational risks.
- Digitally savvy, adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment with media and political scrutiny.
- Experienced in Media Relations, Crisis Communications, Resident Communications and Public Consultations, Town Halls.
If this role is of interest, please apply ASAP with an up-to-date word version of your CV highlighting all your relevant experience as they are looking to hold interviews ASAP. Do get in touch if you would like more information.
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