The Investment Association is the trade body that represents UK investment managers. Our 250 members collectively manage over £6.9 trillion of assets on behalf of clients in the UK and around the world. Our purpose is to ensure investment managers are in the best possible position to:
- Build people’s resilience to financial adversity
- Help people achieve their financial aspirations
- Enable people to maintain a decent standard of living as they grow older
- Contribute to economic growth through the efficient allocation of capital
The money our members manage is in a wide variety of investment vehicles including authorised investment funds, pension funds and stocks & shares ISAs. The UK is the second largest investment management centre in the world and manages 37% of European assets. More information can be viewed on our website.
About the Corporate Affairs team
Role reports to: Corporate Affairs Director
The IA’s Corporate Affairs team is led by the Corporate Affairs Director and is a hard-working, sociable and dynamic team. The team is currently made up of 5 people. We have a strong mix of domestic and international backgrounds and speak 6 languages between us. The team encompasses a media relations team, a UK government affairs team and an EU affairs team. We have regular exposure with the CEO and interact regularly with the IA’s policy teams, as a big part of our role is shining a light on the expertise within the organisation which we turn into materials to use for advocacy or communications. All team members are expected to be flexible and support other parts of the team under pressure when needed. The post holder will therefore have plenty of opportunities to learn and develop beyond their brief, keeping the role varied and interesting. The role also offers significant opportunity for exposure to senior members within the asset management industry.
The team ethos is one of service - service to one another (we all muck in to help each other out); service to our IA colleagues (we help provide briefing materials for anything from media interviews, to meetings with senior stakeholders, to advising on messaging in policy documents) and most importantly, service to our members (everything we do ultimately must be of value to those we represent every day and a big emphasis culturally in the team is given to ‘member satisfaction’).
Overview of the role
The Head of Government Affairs will work closely with the Corporate Affairs Director to develop and oversee the implementation of the IA’s UK government affairs strategy and the dissemination of information to member organisations and stakeholders on a wide range of issues.
Main duties
- Develop and implement the IA UK’s government affairs strategy, both in Whitehall and devolved administrations such as Holyrood, ensuring the value of the asset management industry is understood by key regulators, decision makers and political parties
- Work with media relations colleagues in the corporate affairs team to ensure the team’s work is integrated across media and government relations and ensure consistency of messaging
- Take a leading role in helping to shape the asset management industry’s narrative and messaging for use with key stakeholders, with particular focus on London and Scotland, that creatively and compellingly tells the story of the value of the asset management for policy-makers
- Identify key policy issues that represent threats and opportunities for the IA and its members (legislative proposals, third party campaigns etc) and put in place strategies to ensure that the industry’s reputation and license to operate is protected and enhanced
- Overseeing intelligence gathering amongst stakeholders including key government departments, Parliament, think-tanks, the Bank of England, and the FCA / PRA, that impact on asset management and financial services and to keep IA colleagues and members fully informed of new policy developments and initiatives
- Working alongside the IA’s membership and events team, oversee the development of a programme of events to support the IA’s advocacy objectives
- Lead the IA’s annual party political conference programme; develop a compelling policy offer that showcases the IA’s expertise and that will resonate with key political targets; and develop a programme of events at the mainstream parties’ autumn conferences to showcase the IA’s policy offer
- Liaise with other UK-based third party organisations such as the CBI, Corporation of London, The CityUK and think-tanks
- Oversee the preparation of newsletters and other briefing papers to update members and stakeholders on a range of political and regulatory issues principally related to UK developments that affect or emanate from the asset management industry
- Act as an ambassador for the IA in external meetings with senior members and stakeholders
- Oversee the development of internal briefing materials (e.g. background information, biographies, online research of documents and papers in relation to UK institutions, consumer groups, pressure groups and others) in advance of meetings held by the IA CEO or senior EXCO colleagues with key decision-makers
- Prepare and oversee the development of external and internal briefing materials (e.g. background information, biographies, online research of documents and papers in relation to UK institutions, consumer groups, pressure groups and others) in advance of meetings held by the IA Chair or deputy chair and other senior members as required
- Undertake Occasional travel, including to Scotland and Brussels for meetings and other key events
- Develop a programme of and oversee the coordination of all IA meetings/dealings with UK political institutions and compile a regular report for IA senior management and members
- Oversee the execution of and take part in regular monitoring of political developments both in and out of hours, ensuring senior policy colleagues are appraised of up to date political developments of interest of the IA and its members
- Lead and coordinate a senior member committee made up of industry government affairs professionals to oversee, plan an react to major domestic political developments that will impact the industry
Management/supervisory responsibilities
- Line management of the Government Affairs Manager and Government Affairs Officer
- Management of the public affairs aspect of an agency retainer
Education and experience
Qualifications/education required
- Degree level or equivalent
- Computer literacy, particularly good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
Required experience
- Substantial proven track record of working in a policy-related / public affairs / political role [for example, in a Government department, a political party or in a similar body to the IA] with a demonstrable ability to build and maintain a strong network of contacts
- A clear understanding of current affairs and relevant financial services public policy issues
- A strong knowledge and understanding of party politics and dynamics of all mainstream political parties, the UK government and parliamentary legislative process
Desirable experience (but not essential)
- Experience in investment management sector (or broader financial services industry)
- Experience of having worked in a political environment or a government relations role
Personal attributes
- Good communicator: articulate and succinct, excellent command of written and spoken English, capable of acting as an ambassador and advocate with senior stakeholders
- Excellent political awareness and business judgement
- Determined, enthusiastic and proactive, ‘can do’ attitude that takes the initiative, that works well under pressure
- Excellent time management skills, ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritise
- Rigorous attention to detail (proofing etc.) and high standards in all work
- Outgoing and team spirited; comfortable working alone or in a team; ability to get on with people at all levels
- ‘Service’ mentality – going above and beyond for team members, colleagues and members
- Strong people skills and ability to build relationships with media and other stakeholders
- Strong work ethic, resilient and willing to work longer hours and flexibly when required
- Ability to hit deadlines and deliver to the highest standards, first time around