Public Affairs Manager

At Pennon Group, we’re proud to be leading the way in the water and renewables industries. Alongside our subsidiaries - South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power - we’re committed to delivering a sustainable future of our region. Because we know that by continually driving up our standards today, we’ll build a better tomorrow for our communities. 

Would you like to utilise your public affairs experience within one of the largest companies in the South West, where collaboration is championed? Do you want to be pioneering and influential in driving our ambitions for positive change with our colleagues and our communities? 

We currently have an opportunity for a Public Affairs Manager to join our team based in Exeter. Joining us on a full-time permanent basis, you will receive a competitive salary of £53,000 - £60,000 per annum plus excellent benefits.

About the role

The Corporate Affairs team plays a key role in managing the company’s external reputation with politicians, the media, partners and other stakeholders. The team is also responsible for managing communications during crisis incidents and for influencing policy to help the delivery of the company vision and achieve its purpose.

With a new government in place, as our Public Affairs Manager you will play an integral part in bringing our story to life to local and national political stakeholders, helping the team to implement the company’s Corporate Affairs strategy through research, insight, expert advice, event organisation and stakeholder engagement.

Reporting to the Group Director of Public Affairs, you will help shape and deliver our ongoing policymaker engagement and support on campaigns which will influence local and national policy. This is an exciting time to join a growing business in a new political era in a fast-paced sector.

What you’ll be doing:

• You will helps build and maintain effective relationships with key external stakeholders e.g. Government Ministers, MPs, regulatory bodies and think tanks and nurture relationships with MP offices, case workers and researchers to gain insight, arrange site visits and join up the dots on key MP activity across Pennon Group
• You will also shape the framework, approach and plan for the organisation’s ongoing Public Affairs Engagement in order to execute the Public Affairs strategy
• You will support the development of policy influencing campaigns
• You will provide research, information and expert advice to help the business deliver broader activity
• You will also assist with the organisation and briefing of senior managers attendance at external events and public meetings
• You will work with external agencies and your own network to ensure that up-to-date information of external matters such as parliamentary activity are shared with senior managers in a simple, accessible and timely manner
• Work with Public Affairs agencies to help shape and deliver plans
• You will also respond to stakeholder enquiries via letter, email and phone calls 

What we are looking for:

• A Full UK Driving Licence
• Previous experience of working in a political environment
• A detailed understanding of local and national government
• Excellent contact base of current local and national government MPs
• Experience of working within a regulated industry is desirable but not essential
• Excellent research skills and the ability to translate research into high-quality briefings for senior managers.
• Confident with the ability to establish and build effective working relationships
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and written skills
• Willing to travel throughout the region of Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Bristol and also travel nationally as and when required. 

What's in it for you:

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We know that the support and commitment of our staff is key to our success so you will receive the opportunity for ongoing development and training 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:

• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
• A discretionary Bonus
• Competitive Contributory Pension
• Share-save Scheme
• Various health benefits
• Wellbeing support programmes
• A range of Group Discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Financial support services
• And plenty more!

Closing Date: Tuesday 3rd September 2024

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values which are essential to our success are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.