Head of Public Affairs

What you'll be doing

• Deliver a public affairs function that will develop, manage and deliver a structured Public Affairs strategic plan (reflecting the company strategy, strategic objectives, policies and business activities) including a clear stakeholder map which supports high quality and inspiring programmes, campaigns and activities, providing a proactive and reactive service.
• Manage and deliver structured policy, public affairs and political relations function, programmes, and activities in order to build Pennons public affairs profile.
• In partnership with relevant Directors and senior management of Pennon and its subsidiaries, develop and implement strategic plans identifying and meeting the needs of key external stakeholders.
• Liaise, and manage relationships with political, senior internal and external stakeholders to establish appropriate Pennon position statements and key messages, and to ensure consistency and effectiveness in corporate and project communications.
• Manage, coordinate, and deliver consultation and public affairs initiatives supporting Pennon’s strategic goals and operational priority projects and activities.
• Provide clear measurements and benchmarks against which individual and team performance can be assessed ensuring that each employee had clear and achievable objectives and a development plan in place.
• Providing a key corporate service and business partner support by liaising with directors, senior colleagues, and colleagues across the business, and with key external stakeholders as appropriate to deliver the programmes and activities and achieve required results within established department and relevant corporate and programme budgets.
• Ensure public affairs programmes contribute to, and achieve, sometimes complex and long-term performance indicators and objectives and other relevant strategies and policy goals by identifying and mitigating against risks and outlining opportunities.

What we're looking for

• Extensive knowledge of the UK political landscape and communications with politicians.
• Knowledge of UK devolved administrations and local government political cycles, policy priorities and mechanisms.
• Awareness of environmental infrastructure sector issues.
• Knowledge of lobbying protocol and ethical business governance and practice.
• Targeted and effective policy and public affairs experience including campaigning and programmes.
• Substantial professional experience within a similar public affairs role with demonstrable results.
• Experience of working for complex organisations and leading and managing geographically dispersed staff.
• Strong interpersonal and people management skills and excellent communicator, credible and able to influence at all levels.
• Diligent with a strong commitment to continually protecting and improving the reputation and profile of the company.
• Ability to manage and align projects with a good understanding of company priorities, capabilities and communications objectives.
• Ability to balance and prioritise complex workload, meeting sometimes complex performance targets and indicators.
• Good presentation skills and ability to enthuse and motivate others.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership, influence and strategic planning.
• Ability to identify, plan and execute effective campaigns working with colleagues on the Corporate Affairs steering Committee to ensure maximum impact
• Driving licence, comfortable with extensive UK travel and some out of hours working (including forming part of out-of-hours press office function).

What's in it for you

• We know that the support and commitment of our staff is key to our success so you will receive the opportunity for ongoing support and development for a long-term career with us. We’re one of the largest companies in the South West and are proud to have been awarded Investors in People recognition.
• In return, we offer an excellent range of benefits including:
• A company car or cash for car allowance
• A company bonus
• Private Medical Insurance
• Competitive Contributory Pension
• Invest in Pennon through our employee Sharesave scheme
• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays, with an option to buy / sell leave offering you extra flexibility
• Take up to 26 weeks’ additional maternity leave
• Shared parental leave
• Look after your wellbeing through our Champion Health support platform
• Enjoy free eye tests and discounts on frames and lenses at Specsavers
• Enjoy access to thousands of deals and discounts on supermarkets, online retailer, travel, eating out, cinema, gyms and more through Perkbox