The Scottish Independence Referendum, the UK General Election and the possibility of a referendum on the UK's membership of a European Union mean there is an opportunity to get involved with the Pinsent Masons Public Policy team advising a range of major clients on the implications of these political events.
The Public Policy Manager has an extensive set of responsibilities including managing key client accounts, providing clients with strategic advice, overseeing the quality, content and delivery of client reports, managing client research requests, representing the team and firm externally at seminars/conferences and pursuing business development opportunities.
The Public Policy Manager will also act as team leader in the absence of the Director and will be required to co-ordinate certain administrative tasks.
Brief description of the Public Policy team:
The Public Policy team advises clients on political risk – the legislation, regulations, and policies which may impact on our clients operations, and how they should respond to protect against these threats or take advantage of these opportunities. We advise clients on their strategic engagement with UK and Scottish Ministers, the Westminster and Scottish Parliaments, local authorities and other public bodies.
Activities carried out by the team:
Our strategic public affairs advice and political intelligence gathering operates across Westminster, Whitehall and Holyrood, and extends to local government. We develop strategies and contact programmes for our clients to help them communicate with the key government and parliamentary decision-makers, and raise their profile with other leading stakeholders. Our strong network of contacts and knowledge of Parliaments and Governments mean we provide intelligence services to our clients to enable them to respond to the emerging issues they face and to the key drivers that affect their decision making.
Description of the type of client:
We work for a wide variety of clients on issues ranging from financial services and retail to engineering and manufacturing. Our focus is on the Scottish institutions, but we also advise on UK Parliament and Government relations.
Role & Responsibilities:
- Managing key client accounts;
- Providing clients with strategic advice on the work of, and their relationships, with Parliament, Government and the policy community;
- Managing policy research;
- Overseeing the quality, content and delivery of client reports issued on a daily, weekly, monthly, and ad hoc basis;
- Providing training for clients;
- Providing in-house advice for various legal teams;
- Contributing Public Policy content to Pinsent Masons tenders;
- Attending events and party conferences, engaging with stakeholders;
- Business development, external and cross-selling opportunities within the firm;
- Developing the Public Policy practice's profile in the UK market and within the firm.
Key skills, experience & qualifications required:
- A comprehensive understanding and knowledge of politics, public policy and Government at UK, Scottish and local authority levels, including institutional structures, processes and key decision makers;
- A strategic approach to client's businesses and management of their accounts;
- Proven experience working in a previous similar role in consultancy, in-house, in Government or Parliament;
- A degree qualification in political or related studies would be a considerable advantage;
- Proactive and efficient delivery of relevant information;
- Commitment to client service, ability to build good relationships;
- Ability to meet deadlines;
- Flexible attitude to work;
- Ability to think laterally to identify opportunities for clients and for business development;
- Proficiency in using the internet, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Department: Risk, Complicance & Legal Services
Team: Public Policy
Reports to: Director (as Head of Public Policy Team)
Hours of work: 9.00am to 5.00pm (flexibility required)
A competitive benefits package included.