The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) is the professional membership body for ecologists and environmental managers working to protect and enhance the natural environment.
We are recognised by our members and external stakeholders as the voice of the profession through our effective, evidence-based input into, and support for, policy and practice.
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Policy and Public Affairs Manager to significantly contribute to our work influencing governments, parliaments and the media across the UK nations and Ireland. Reporting to the Head of Policy, you will be part of our Management Team.
About the role
The successful candidate will:
a. Play a pivotal role in CIEEM’s public affairs work, helping to make sure our members’ voices are heard where decisions are made.
b. Build and maintain relationships with parliamentarians, civil servants, journalists, peer organisations and networks.
c. Manage our media relations on policy issues, from rapid responses to comment requests to proactive stories, op-eds, social media activity and campaigns.
d. Help turn the evidence and expertise of our members into clear, credible positions for political and public audiences, in each UK nation and Ireland.
e. Manage key staff to help deliver our policy work.
Why this role?
These are both exciting and challenging times for the ecology and environment sector. Environmental policy is diverging across the UK nations and Ireland, with significant change under way in, for example, approaches to nature recovery and government priorities. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the political and public debate for the benefit of nature and society.
You will deliver real impact using creativity, sound prioritisation and the expertise of our members and volunteers. You will join a small but dynamic and dedicated team where your ideas, energy and judgement can make a real difference.
About you
We are looking for someone who is:
a. An experienced public affairs or policy professional with a track record of securing political or media outcomes.
b. Politically astute, with an understanding of how politics differs across the UK nations and Ireland, and of how to protect our non-party-political credibility.
c. An excellent communicator, able to translate science and evidence for political and public audiences and to build credible relationships with parliamentarians, civil servants and journalists.
d. Ideally, an experienced manager of people and projects with the judgement to prioritise in a small team.
Experience of the ecology and nature conservation sector or the professional body sector is welcome but not essential. Preference will be given to candidates with strong public affairs experience.
Benefits
As part of our commitment to making CIEEM a great place to work, we offer a comprehensive reward and benefits package which includes: flexible working arrangements; 25 days leave plus public holidays; a generous Workplace Qualifying Pension Scheme with CIEEM contributing up to 10% of gross salary (dependent on employee’s contribution) for eligible employees; professional development opportunities; and access to an employee assistance programme. For more information please see our ‘Working for CIEEM’ webpage.
Location
This post will be based at the CIEEM office in Ampfield (near Romsey in Hampshire) with the option of a hybrid arrangement with up to 50% of the time working from home. Alternatively, for those living more than an hour’s travel from Ampfield, the role can be home-based with occasional travel to the office. Regardless of location, some travel to Westminster and other key locations across the UK and Ireland will be required. We will also consider other flexible working arrangements.
Salary: £42,410 - £45,643 per annum (dependent on experience).