BRE’s Corporate Affairs team is transforming the external perceptions of BRE, recognising our expertise at the highest levels of government, Parliament and other external stakeholders. The environment in which we operate is high profile, with legislation like the Building Safety Act and significant changes planned to vital documents like the Future Homes Standard and National Planning Policy Framework.
With focus on environmental issues remaining high after the COP summits and with the Government’s commitment to net zero and tackling the high cost of energy, our expertise and experience have never been more needed. This role will focus on increasing our profile and name recognition in Westminster and Whitehall, so that BRE continues to be a trusted adviser to law and policy makers on issues relating to the built environment.
Whilst the location of this position offers some flexibility around remote working, the role holder will also need to be able to commit to travelling to our premises in Watford and to regular meetings in London as required.
The Value this role will add?
- Monitor Parliamentary activity and identify opportunities for BRE to engage on relevant policy matters
- Contribute to consultation responses, briefings, correspondence and Select Committee preparation
- Maintain a stakeholder record to track all contact with MPs, their staff and civil servants in national, devolved and local government
- Coordinate political and policy updates for the business and ensure Corporate Affairs is feeding into relevant workstreams from other teams across BRE
- Keep up with the latest legislative developments in BRE’s areas of interest, including from think tanks, and update colleagues where appropriate
- Support and coordinate the delivery of thought leadership campaigns (eg. BRE’s Cost of Poor Housing)
- Represent BRE at appropriate meetings with stakeholders and support the growth of the organisation’s political network
- Keep up to date with latest policy developments in all nations and regions of the UK, as well as key international markets
- Support the wider activities of the Corporate Affairs team such as planning and delivering events, site visits/tours and crisis responses
- Manage the relationship with our Parliamentary monitoring service to ensure it is delivering essential intelligence and best value
- Build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues across the business
What experience and skills does the role need?
- Experience of working in a public affairs, policy or parliamentary role
- Detailed working knowledge of Parliamentary procedure and processes, and a sensitive appreciation of the political landscape
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills, and a great eye for detail
- Ability rapidly to digest large amounts of new information and communicate complex ideas with clarity
- Some experience in at least one of the policy areas covered by BRE (eg housing, building safety, energy, net zero)
- Ability to work collaboratively in a high performing team and in a complex and widely spread organisation
- Excellent relationship building and management skills
Desirables:
- Experience in more than one of BRE’s policy areas
- Some experience of dealing with media e.g. writing press releases
- Knowledge of the context in which BRE operates, especially environmental and sustainability policy and building safety