As Manager, Government Affairs you will influence the external political and public policy environment to further Virgin Atlantic’s commercial interests and protect and enhance our reputation in Whitehall, Parliament, and amongst industry stakeholders.
You will be working on high profile issues that matter to our customers and the business, like Heathrow expansion, Brexit and Air Passenger Duty. Working with and reporting to the Director of External Affairs, you will help to devise our influencing strategy and lead its execution. You will maintain and extend our stakeholder relationships and use your expertise and personal gravitas, as well as compelling evidence, to influence decisions and the political debate.
You will be working alongside our senior leaders and external stakeholders one minute, and colleagues across the business the next, so we’re looking for someone confident, adaptable, and able to work with people at all levels. You will represent our views within our trade association and external forums. Building coalitions of like-minded stakeholders within and outside the aviation industry is an important aspect of the role.
Day to day
Design and deliver external public or behind the scenes influencing campaigns, working with a variety of senior external influencers and stakeholders, in order to deliver our business and customer priorities.
Influence future policy and legislation through engagement and negotiation, demonstrating understanding of the final goal whilst considering our commercial and operational perspective.
Develop well-articulated and evidenced briefing materials for internal and external distribution.
Prepare timely and compelling consultation responses on proposed legislation or regulation.
Identify future legislative changes that could impact our business and future priorities.
Identify and work with relevant departments across business to garner opinion on the impact of proposed regulation.
Work with press office to deliver co-ordinated public affairs and media campaigns on our priority issues.
Represent Virgin Atlantic at industry forums including Airlines UK, BAR-UK, CBI, IATA and Sustainable Aviation.
Articulate Virgin Atlantic's position in respect of new policy, in line with competition compliance guidelines, and influence the agenda of our trade bodies.
Attend working groups and seek opportunities to engage with government agencies.
Develop constructive relationships with key external stakeholders, including parliamentarians and government officials.
Prepare Virgin Atlantic Executive Team for meetings with senior policy makers.
Prepare company policy and lines to take.
About you
We’re looking for someone educated to a minimum of degree level or equivalent, with significant in-house or agency experience in the successful delivery of public affairs campaigns and stakeholder engagement programmes to achieve business objectives. You will be able to demonstrate how you have differentiated your organisation from industry peers and represented their brand in your role.
You will be an excellent communicator and influencer, with the confidence to represent our business externally in a variety of industry and government fora. Strong written skills are an absolute must.
You must have in depth knowledge of the UK political environment and process and bring with you an existing political or parliamentary network. Knowledge of the US and/or EU environment and procedures is desirable.
Experience or an understanding of the aviation sector would be an advantage, but is not essential as you will have a proven ability to quickly become a subject matter expert.