Reuben Sinclair | Sales, Marketing, PR, Data and Digital Recruitment
Associate Director - Public Affairs
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Associate Director – Public Affairs
Location: London | Hybrid
Salary: £70K-£85K Basic
My Client is looking for an experienced public affairs professional to join its leadership group as an Associate Director.
This is an opportunity to take a prominent role within a growing advisory business, working with senior figures who need clear guidance when navigating government activity, public scrutiny and complex external pressures.
The successful person will combine strong judgement with a practical approach. You will help set the direction of client work, ensure teams deliver effectively and provide experienced advice when circumstances are fast-moving or sensitive.
What you will be responsible for
- Take ownership of a varied portfolio of client relationships and oversee the work being delivered across them.
- Turning changes in Westminster, Whitehall and the wider commercial environment into clear recommendations for clients.
- Helping senior decision-makers understand how external developments could affect their organisations.
- Setting the approach for client programmes and making sure activity remains focused on the intended outcome.
- Coordinating colleagues across several assignments, allocating work appropriately and maintaining momentum against deadlines.
- Acting as a key point of contact for clients and building the confidence required to challenge, advise and influence them.
- Spotting developing issues early and helping clients prepare before they become more difficult to manage.
- Creating and maintaining relationships with relevant people across government, industry and other influential organisations.
- Supporting less experienced colleagues through regular guidance, constructive feedback and on-the-job development.
- Taking greater responsibility for client teams when members of the senior leadership group are unavailable.
- Playing an active part in winning work, including shaping credentials, developing pitch responses and contributing to meetings with prospective clients.
- Using your professional relationships to open conversations and identify opportunities that could benefit the wider business.
- Contributing ideas that strengthen the firm’s visibility, reputation and future growth.
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The experience my Client is looking for
You will have built your career in a public affairs agency, government, politics or another environment closely connected to public policy and decision-making.
You should bring:
- A strong grasp of how government operates and how decisions are shaped.
- The ability to interpret complicated developments and explain their practical significance.
- Experience giving clear recommendations to senior and demanding audiences.
- Confidence handling several client relationships or major projects at the same time.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to decide what needs attention first.
- Good commercial instincts and an understanding of how excellent client work supports business growth.
- The confidence to question a brief, identify the real problem and recommend an effective course of action.
- Experience producing persuasive written material and communicating confidently in meetings.
- The ability to lead colleagues, maintain high standards and help others improve.
- Sound judgement in situations involving pressure, uncertainty or heightened public attention.
- A natural ability to form credible relationships with a broad range of people.
- A genuine interest in politics, business and the forces shaping public debate.
- A collaborative mindset and a willingness to contribute beyond your immediate client responsibilities.
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The position would suit someone ready to operate with considerable independence, take on broader leadership responsibilities and help shape the next stage of an ambitious advisory business.
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