About us
Fuelled by unique insights, creativity, and deep expertise, the BCW Corporate and Public Affairs team is the UK’s most dynamic force of bright, inquisitive, and bold communications consultants.
Consistently ahead of the next, we are trusted advisers when the stakes are high, helping clients navigate the complex challenges of today while anticipating the sensitive issues of tomorrow. We have the firepower and skills to support organisations at every stage in their growth cycles and we reach stakeholders through every possible channel, ultimately moving hearts, minds, and people. We work with clients across all industries including financial service, fintech, education, retail, consumer goods and so much more.
We offer an impressive and integrated mix of agency natives, former journalists, political campaigners, and in-house leads who unite to deliver diverse and differentiated perspectives to clients based on experience and sound judgement. We prize rigor, quality, and agility, forging meaningful partnerships with our clients to add value. And we like to have fun.
Our specialisms include Responsible Business and Corporate Reputation; Public Affairs; Crisis & Issues; Business Transformation; Leadership Communications; and International Affairs. We are a new generation of communicators, all found within a single BCW multi-disciplinary team, at the heart of one of the world's largest full-service global communications agencies.
About the role
We are the leading Public Affairs consultancy within the WPP network with 34 experts in political advocacy and issues management. We take a very wide definition of public affairs from traditional political engagement through to modern day public affairs with BCW’s NEXUS offer which combines top down and bottom up tactics to deliver political impact. At the heart of this is political strategy combined with creative execution across a range of communication channels.
We are looking for a Director to join our Public Affairs specialism. This person will play a key role in the specialism through leading some of our largest clients and being a key driver in attracting and winning new business. This person will be responsible for ensuring our client delivery is always exceptional, from tactical delivery to strategic vision.
Experiences that contribute to your success:
· Previous experience working across consultancy, government or an in-house public affairs position
· Parliamentary and / or government experience is an advantage
· Experienced in building strong client relationships and well versed in leading and implementing client projects
· A hunger and proven track record for spotting and securing new business
· Good understanding of the integrated nature of public affairs - taking a broad interest in and understanding of the impact of media relations in shaping political opinion
· Passionate about politics and the media
· Live and breathe not just Westminster but the world beyond it
· Experience in developing campaigns that resonate with political audiences around the nations and regions – be they in Whitehall, Parliament, NGOs or at grassroot level - in order to drive change or to give clients a voice in the debates that concern them
What you will do as you move with us:
· Help the Head of Public Affairs and Directors in the leadership of the specialism, mainly in terms of ensuring exceptional client delivery and also in attracting and winning new business
· Devise and deliver creative and award-winning public affairs strategies for our clients
· Lead stakeholder engagement programmes across national and local stakeholders (including politicians, advisers, civil servants, press, think tanks etc)
· Continually bring fresh ideas to the team in terms of new business and marketing initiatives, and help support the team on our political insight notes shared with clients and contacts globally
· Engage with senior leaders both internally and in client situations
· On some accounts engage with the press to ensure our clients’ reputation and licence to operate is promoted and protected
· Play a leading role in supporting on new business proposals, in some cases drafting them from scratch
· You may either be a generalist practitioner or specialist in a particular sector – we are open to hearing from a wide range of candidates
· Be a team player and upskill wider parts of our CPA team in the art of public affairs and its value to clients
· People and team management – line managing employees and leading on resourcing planning for client accounts
· Responsible for financial success of accounts; ensuring effective service levels and PO / contract management
Our promise
BCW are committed to growing and sustaining an agency that is both representative and inclusive of the communities we live and work within. At BCW, we believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enables our agency to thrive and deliver brilliant work. We actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented and celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability.
We will only assess you on your abilities and fit for the role, please do get in touch if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during the recruitment process.
Benefits
