Hanover, a consulting firm that specialises in advising international brands, businesses and organisations on reputation, communications and public affairs, is looking for an experienced public affairs practitioner to work across the technology portfolio in our Advocacy team.
You will manage a market-leading portfolio of technology, media and telecoms (TMT) clients that currently span Microsoft, Sky, Three, BlackBerry and UK Broadband. We require someone who has an interest in the technology sector and a desire to develop a specialism in this area. You should also have a proven track record of managing effective public affairs campaigns and new business acquisition across a range of sectors.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Client handling:
- Provide timely and relevant strategic advice to clients, informed by sector knowledge and intelligence-gathering on market trends and policy developments;
- Develop close client relationships and be the principal point of contact for clients within the TMT portfolio;
- Manage a team of junior consultants to ensure effective delivery of agreed client projects, on budget and to a high quality;
- Conduct client- or topic-specific environmental analyses and write bespoke policy submissions and briefings;
- Lead regular client meetings and internal account management meetings supporting Directors in reviewing progress, monitoring capacity and allocating tasks.
New business:
- Identify prospective clients and organic growth opportunities, drawing support from senior and junior colleagues in implementation of business development plans;
- Project manage new business activity, including delivery of team marketing plans and preparation of credentials, proposals and pitches;
- Demonstrate an active and ever-expanding new business network that can provide significant opportunities for Hanover;
- Identify opportunities to cross-sell services between Hanover teams and/or offices;
- Regularly contribute timely and newsworthy articles to the Hanover website in consultation with the Marketing Manager;
- Expand personal network and, by extension, that of the technology team through event attendance and relationship building.
Other:
- Personal management / coaching of junior colleagues;
- Enhance the policy expertise of the Advocacy team;
- Independent initiative in growing key accounts and acquiring new business;
- Responsibility for managing budgets related to the portfolio of clients;
- Approval of all Project Initiation Documents with clients.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Key Sector Knowledge:
- Expert knowledge of the UK Parliamentary system and the workings of Westminster;
- Good policy knowledge of UK technology, media and telecoms policy, specifically broadband, mobile and digital government, and interest to develop this further;
- Flexible application of sector knowledge and commercial understanding to support Hanover’s business plans beyond the TMT sector.
Key Skills:
- Excellent project and budget management skills;
- Strong presentation, communication and pitching capabilities;
- Proven new business development and networking ability;
- A good personal network of contacts especially across the TMT sector.