The Policy and Public Affairs Manager position is a key role for the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA), the award-winning trade association for bioscience in the UK, representing an innovative sector seen as key to the future success of the UK in delivering new treatments for patients and economic growth.
The primary purpose of the Policy and Public Affairs Manager role is to deliver on the influence objective of the BIA. This involves understanding the policy landscape of the UK and what it means for the sector; working with members to represent the sector to stakeholders in Westminster, Whitehall and beyond; and working to shape and influence public policy development that has an impact on UK bioscience.
This position is one of three toles working on exclusively on Policy and Public Affairs at the BIA. The role sits within the wider External Affairs division of the BIA, which also covers media relations, communications and regulatory affairs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Public Affairs
Working closely with the rest of the Policy and Public Affairs team, the Policy and Public Affairs Manager will be closely involved with the central components of BIA public affairs activity, including the BIA annual Parliament Day, BIA Party Conference activity and providing support to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Life Sciences.
Policy
Working closely with the rest of the Policy and Public Affairs team, the Policy and Public Affairs Manager will play a key role in policy development on issues important to the needs of BIA members. In particular, this role will take a lead on access to medicines policy, including providing the Secretariat for the Rare Disease Industry Group. The role also has responsibility for providing the Secretariat to the BIA’s Cell and Gene Therapy Committee.
The above responsibilities will include the following types of activity:
- Keep abreast of policy and public affairs developments in relation to the above and share information with colleagues and members as appropriate;
- Consult on, draft and finalise key policy inputs such as government consultations, input to independent reviews and submissions to Parliamentary Committees;
- Develop and deliver public affairs activity in respect of core policy areas and for the central components of BIA public affairs activity;
- Develop expertise in above policy areas, acting as a spokesperson where appropriate and looking for wider opportunities to communicate policy concerns such as through blogs and events;
- Support relevant member committees and groups as directed, driving through the work programme of those groups and managing associated budgets where relevant;
- Play a role in developing the strategic focus of the BIA in respect of above areas, corresponding plans and activity and delivering those in practice;
- Represent the BIA at external events, policy working groups and fora;
- Attend weekly policy and public affairs team meetings to update on your work, contribute to team goals and brief colleagues effectively;
- Contribute to the development of External Affairs quarterly reports;
- Contribute to stakeholder list/maps and contacts within Dynamics;
- Ensure BIA website content is kept up to date for the pages you are responsible for.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Working knowledge of Westminster and Whitehall;
- Demonstrative experience in understanding policy development and how to showcase coherent arguments;
- Excellent written skills with an ability to grasp complex issues quickly and how to distil these for a variety of external audiences;
- Collaborative team-player who is flexible to changing business needs and supports colleagues effectively;
- Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrative ability to work with a variety of stakeholders to build and communicate a consensus view;
- Ability to develop good working relationships with a range of stakeholders;
- Ability to represent the BIA and its members in person and through oral and written communication.
Desirable
- Academic background and/or previous work experience in life sciences and/or healthcare.