SIBA, the Society of Independent Brewers, was formed in 1980. As a trade association we represent more than 825 independent breweries. We provide support services for our members and create commercial opportunities through a number of different initiatives.
It is an exciting time for British beer and brewing and there are now more breweries per head of population than in any other country. It is also an exciting time for SIBA. We have re-structured the organisation to ensure it is fit for purpose to deliver its new vision ‘to deliver the future of British beer and become the voice of British Brewing’.
Job Overview
Location: London/South East preferred as regular availability at Westminster is essential
This new position, reporting to the Director of Communications & Membership, will offer an exciting challenge for the right person. You will join a new Communications team headed up by Tony Jerome and work closely with the Managing Director, Mike Benner.
You will be tasked with building the profile of SIBA and its key issues with Governments and parliamentarians in Westminster, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as at a European level. You will build contacts, identify opportunities, monitor policy and raise the awareness of and support for, independent brewers in the UK, establishing SIBA as their voice. You will contribute to our overall public affairs strategy as well as devising and delivering plans for individual projects and campaigns and advising the Managing Director as the Society’s main spokesperson and representative. You will play an active support role in representing and supporting SIBA at events.
Purpose of the role
- Provide Public Affairs support and advice as required;
- Build profile, opportunities and contacts;
- Contribute to public affairs strategy;
- Plan and deliver campaigns;
- Organise events;
- Represent SIBA as necessary;
- Monitor parliamentary activity and policy issues and advise accordingly.
The Package
- Salary will be £22,000 - £25,000 and is dependent on qualifications and experience;
- Permanent position on successful completion of three month probationary period;
- Contributory pension scheme on successful completion of probationary period;
- Performance review at three, six and twelve months in the first year and at least annually thereafter;
- Some travel in the UK and occasionally abroad;
- Travel and subsistence expenses paid;
- Staff benefits include group life and income protection cover.
Responsibilities and key deliverables
- Work with the Director of Membership and Communications and the Managing Director to develop public affairs strategies to deliver SIBA’s vision and strategic aims
- Advise and implement tactics to build engagement and support for SIBA and its aims with the UK, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Governments, civil servants and parliamentarians as well as the European Commission and Parliament.
- With the use of SIBA’s parliamentary monitoring service, monitor, communicate and advise upon upcoming policy developments, the political climate and the progress of relevant bills or other activity including maintaining a public affairs timetable
- Provide appropriate briefing documents at all levels
- Provide general lobbying advice and support to the Managing Director and Chairman, including deputising at stakeholder meetings
- Build engagement programmes with SIBA members and ensure SIBA’s Board is suitably briefed on lobbying issues and activity
- Provide general lobbying advice and support to members in dealing with MPs, etc
- Draft responses to appropriate consultations
- Manage a contact database and a contact diary/timetable
- Identify and maintain relationships with relevant All-Party Parliamentary groups
- Build and manage relationships with key industry stakeholders
- Work with the PR and marketing Manager to make best use of social media in SIBA’s lobbying activity
- Provide support on multi-disciplinary campaigns as required
- Any other duties as may reasonably be required
Person Specification
Education, skills and experience
Essential:
- Some experience in a public affairs roles;
- Undergraduate Degree;
- Good knowledge of the workings of government and parliamentary procedures;
- Strong political knowledge and understanding and a genuine interest in politics;
- Experience of developing public affairs plans;
- Experience of managing and delivering public affairs projects;
- Good IT skills including Microsoft Office;
- Excellent communication skills;
- The ability to influence people;
- The ability to provide accurate concise and easy to understand briefings on complex subjects;
- Good research skills;
- Experience of being able to work alone and collaboratively;
- Strong ability to prioritise and manage challenging workloads often under pressure.
Desirable:
- At least two years relevant experience Some campaigning experience;
- Relevant subject to at least 2:1;
- Enthusiasm and passion for politics;
- Strategy development experience;
- A good understanding of Social Media;
- A passion for beer!
Personal Qualities
Essential:
- Intelligent and analytical;
- Excellent communication and networking skills;
- Ability to build evidence based arguments;
- Strong self-awareness and resilience under pressure;
- A diplomatic but persuasive approach;
- Decisive;
- A team worker with excellent inter- personal relations; confident but not aggressive;
- Committed to member/ customer service;
- Problem solver and strategic thinker.
Desirable:
- Passionate and driven;
- Full, clean driving licence.
Practical
- Ability to travel as required.