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Managing Director, Public Affairs, Policy & Research

Reporting to (job title): Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Objective of role:

  • The role of the Managing Director, Public Affairs, Policy & Research is to work with the CEO, ExCo and the Board, and set objectives and KPIs for TheCityUK’s Public Affairs, Policy and Research programme to ensure its successful delivery.
  • To lead the policy and publics affairs engagement with critical senior stakeholders in government, parliament and the regulators.
  • To be a senior ambassador and advocate for the industry
  • To act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders in the industry
  • To work with the ExCo to support the delivery of the strategic review, leading on 4 out of 5 of the organisation’s 5 strategic objectives.
  • Lead the Public Affairs, Policy and Research team in the effective delivery of their work programmes.
  • To build effective relationships with the Board, committee chairs and key industry contacts in the UK.
  • To be a public face of the organisation with external stakeholders including members, politicians, senior officials and others.
  • To deputise for the CEO when appropriate

Direct Reports:

  • Head of Public Affairs 
  • Head of Policy
  • Chief Economist & Head of Research
  • PA to MD PAPR

Key Activities & Responsibilities

  • Lead the strategy and day-to-day delivery of policy and public affairs engagement with critical senior stakeholders in government, parliament and the regulators.
  • Be a trusted adviser to senior business leaders in membership on both policy and regulatory issues and strategic engagement with government ministers, shadow ministers, regulators and other policymakers, advising on the vision and policy positions of different political parties.
  • Act as a key convenor of partners and counterparts in major trade associations and business groups.
  • Act as a senior ambassador and advocate for the whole industry, representing TheCityUK’s at conferences, member firms’ Board meetings, in the media, at parliamentary select committees and bill committees, and with senior stakeholders.
  • Chair senior member roundtables with senior policymakers, and chair sessions and speak at TheCityUK’s conferences where appropriate.
  • Lead the advocacy strategy on financial and professional services legislation and other legislation which affects our members, seeking to secure change where appropriate.
  • Engage with the CEO, Board Chair, Board and other members of the Executive Committee to develop and execute the strategy for TheCityUK.
  • Work with the rest of the Executive Committee in the delivery of the organizational priorities, leading on key strategic objectives and leading the support for three of the most senior committees (International Regulatory Strategy Group, Long Term Competitiveness and Public Affairs Group).
  • Support the Chairs of these senior committees and alongside each Chair, seek strategic direction from the Board for their work programmes.
  • Deliver the agreed strategy within budget and to time.
  • Work with the CEO and relevant committee chairs to lead, define and deliver the Public Affairs, Policy & Research (PAPR) strategic agenda and work plan to meet defined member needs.
  • Represent TheCityUK to senior leaders from TheCityUK’s member firms and pitch membership to prospective members.
  • Lead the integration of the work of the Economic Research, Public Affairs and Policy teams and ensure that they work effectively with the rest of the organisation so that TheCityUK creates the best policy and regulatory environment for its members.
  • Work with the Chief Economist and the Head of Policy to support the research and policy programmes, to underpin the advocacy and public affairs work of TheCityUK.
  • Lead and provide strategic direction to the PAPR team ensuring effective management of individual team areas and ensure cross team working and with the rest of the organisation.
  • Develop performance measures for the PAPR strategy agenda to feed into the wider company’s performance measurement approach.
  • Assess team performance against PAPR strategy objectives.
  • Manage relationships with external industry bodies and key stakeholders and be one of the leading public faces of TheCityUK in order to raise its profile and its agenda with members, potential members and external stakeholders.
  • Develop and promote our position on key policy issues affecting our members and their industry in every region and nation of the UK.
  • Provide information, briefings and contributions towards policy development, helping to create the right business environment across the regions and nations of the UK as it relates to this portfolio of issues.
  • Contribute to and promote TheCityUK’s various messages recognising the breadth of stakeholders in the UK and their need for evidence, clear policy and compelling messages.
  • Research and source information, providing briefing notes for the CEO and other senior colleagues before meetings on policy, regulatory or public affairs issues.
  • Oversee the set up and efficient running of new working groups, as required.
  • Work closely and collegially with counterparts in individual trade associations and within the City of London Corporation.
  • Undertake any other duties which may reasonably be requested and are commensurate with the post.

Key Relationships & Interfaces

Internal:

  • Executive Committee
  • Senior Management Group
  • Board of Directors
  • Committee members
  • Advisory Groups

External:

  • Members of Parliament
  • Government departments
  • Regulators
  • City of London Corporation
  • Key industry bodies
  • Trade bodies and industry groups

Person Specification

  • Professional, credible and collegiate working style
  • Policy expertise in the financial and related professional services ecosystem
  • Substantial experience working in a PA role, ideally for a trade body, government or regulator and having a well-developed network or relevant contacts.
  • A good understanding of the working of parliament, the government and political processes
  • Ability to summarise complex policy issues and communicate them effectively in writing or verbally.
  • Strong presentation and communication skills.
  • Ability to lead discussions and convene senior industry leaders and policy makers
  • Strong relationship building skills with the ability to work with a diverse range of people, including senior colleagues, parliament and other senior stakeholders.
  • Experience in building strong cases on a foundation of sound and authoritative research
  • Ability to lead a high-performing team
  • Familiarity and interest with UK regulation and regulators
  • A team player with a positive approach and willingness to constructively challenge

To apply for this role, please click here

The closing date for applications is 23:55 Sunday 15th September 2024.

Values at TheCityUK

These core set of values are essential for effective performance in our company and provides a common purpose as to how we deliver our work on a daily basis:

• Rigour
• Impact
• Agility
• Respect
• Teamwork

To find out more about our values and the standards of behaviour, please visit our About us page.

About TheCityUK

TheCityUK is the industry-led body representing UK-based financial and related professional services. We champion and support the success of the ecosystem, and thereby our members, promoting policies in the UK, across Europe and internationally that drive competitiveness, support job creation and enable long-term economic growth. The industry contributes over 12% of the UK’s total economic output and employs nearly 2.5 million people, with two thirds of these jobs outside London, across the country’s regions and nations. It is the UK’s largest net exporting industry and generates a trade surplus exceeding that of all other net exporting industries combined. It is also the largest taxpayer and makes a real difference to people in their daily lives, helping them save for the future, buy a home, invest in a business and protect and manage risk.

Equal Opportunity

TheCityUK is committed to equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or gender.

We are proud to be a disability confident committed employer and, as such, all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the job as set out in the job description and person specification will be guaranteed an interview. Please advise at application stage or discuss in more detail at careers@thecityuk.com