External Affairs, Research and Strategy Manager

Walsall Permanent £55,000 - £55,500 per year View Job Description
You will lead on gathering, strategically analysing and appropriately disseminating intelligence and advice to inform internal thinking and decision-making. You will work closely with senior colleagues, advising them of relevant external developments and informing strategic thinking.
  • Hybrid working
  • c55k pa + attractive benefits such as local government pension scheme

About Our Client

Not-for-Profit

Job Description

  • Ensure that our corporate plan and strategies are aligned and responsive to the external operating environment.
  • Monitor the external operating environment including regulatory and public policy changes to ensure our strategies are contemporary.
  • Support the effective communication and interpretation of the corporate plan and strategies into the business
  • Support the Executive Team in strategic reviews providing appropriate analysis and insight
  • Ensure whg's approach to stakeholder management is up to date, effective and fit for purpose
  • Develop and lead on stakeholder management (including mapping and engagement) to support delivery of our Corporate Plan
  • Undertake focused horizon scanning of the external operating environment to understand emerging risks and opportunities
  • Monitor parliament, local and devolved governments for updates on relevant policy areas and provide timely briefings to senior leaders and board members
  • Strategically analyse insight to determine the impact on the business and brief appropriate colleagues to support their decision-making
  • Build a network of senior contacts across the sector and key regional stakeholders
  • Identify opportunities for our voice to be heard in regional and national forums and research projects
  • Provide prompt and regular briefings (briefings may be written or verbal) to senior colleagues on the latest news and information about influential individuals, partners and target organisations
  • Support senior leaders with briefings/presentations for external engagements e.g. conference appearances
  • Working with specialist colleagues, including the Head of Communications, and external agencies, to support the development of a strategic PR programme, including thought leadership and speaking opportunities, to position whg appropriately
  • Working with others, contribute to the management of our reputation, focusing on the stakeholder and media audiences, in real-time (crisis comms) and proactively.
  • Create networks and forums (e.g. roundtables), primarily externally, to support delivery of our Corporate Plan
  • Attend sector and political conferences, networking events, webinars and research seminars to ensure you are well informed and up to date
  • Working with a specialist external agency, lead on whg's stakeholder perception survey
  • Manage the External Affairs budget, including setting and monitoring spend

The Successful Applicant

  • Have a communications and/or external affairs professional qualification
  • Have experience working with and advising colleagues at all levels, up to and including executive level
  • Be strategically minded and able to analyse insight and intelligence
  • Excel at building and maintaining professional relationships
  • Possess well developed networking and influencing skills
  • Have strong written and verbal communications skills and present a professional style
  • Be able to provide clarity from complexity and have excellent attention to detail

What's on Offer

Salary up to 55,500pa + attractive benefits

Hybrid working - typically 2 days office based, 3 days remote

Contact
Charley Ford
Quote job ref
JN-112024-6582256
Phone number
+44 121 230 9435

Job summary

Job function
Marketing & Agency
Subsector
Research
Sector
Not For Profit
Location
Walsall
Contract type
Permanent
Consultant name
Charley Ford
Consultant phone
+44 121 230 9435
Job reference
JN-112024-6582256