What’s in it for you
- The opportunity to lead and implement our public affairs strategy;
- The challenge of a fast paced, varied and interesting role at what is a busy time in the legal sector;
- The chance to position the SRA and to develop and implement a full stakeholder management strategy;
- The satisfaction of helping to ensure public protection and high standards of legal services through the regulation of solicitors and law firms.
The role
As part of a dynamic and aspirational External Affairs team, you will be responsible for maximising the SRA's public affairs strategy and political influence across England and Wales. With a proven track record in leading and delivering in the public affairs arena you will have a key role in developing and implementing our strategy.
You will possess excellent stakeholder management skills, ensuring we are inclusive and effective in our engagement. Part of that will be delivering a high profile programme of engagement at party political conferences, Parliament and assembly, as well as using social media and the appropriate public affairs channels to promote our priorities and policy positions.
With responsibility for a small team and wider relationships across the SRA, you will have sound management experience and enjoy working in a fast paced environment. You will have strong communication skills with the ability to deliver advice, articulate at relevant briefings and support senior management with engaging presentations and speeches.
What we are looking for
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, experience of devising and implementing strategy and operational processes effectively;
- Experience of leading, motivating and developing teams;
- Strong interpersonal skills;
- An interest in the development of the legal sector and making a difference to both public protection and professional practice.
Essential
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and experience:
- Degree or equivalent qualification/experience;
- Experience of leading a public affairs function, or similar, in a high profile and complex organisation;
- Strong stakeholder management abilities, with expertise in influencing and developing relationships with senior level stakeholders;
- Ability to work in a fast paced and issues rich environment with a customer focus;
- Successful development and implementation of stakeholder management programmes in a communications, corporate or political environment.
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of delivering change and continuous improvement;
- Experience of managing and reporting on budgets, and developing and delivering against KPIs.
The SRA is the independent regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales, protecting consumers and supporting the rule of law and the administration of justice. We do this by overseeing all education and training requirements necessary to practise as a solicitor, licensing individuals and firms to practise, setting the standards of the profession and regulating and enforcing compliance against these standards. We offer a generous flexible benefits package, a friendly working environment and the opportunity to develop your career within a professional organisation.